AFP: Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Muslim countries did not need the approval of the United States to record great achievements, amid continued tension over Iran’s nuclear drive. Iran’s Khamenei defiant amid nuclear pressure
AFP: Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Muslim countries did not need the approval of the United States to record great achievements, amid continued tension over Iran’s nuclear drive. US Treasury says UAE needs “close look” at Iran banks
Reuters: The U.S. Treasury’s top sanctions official said on Thursday the United Arab Emirates should take a “very close look” at Iranian banks in the UAE and should prevent its banking system from abuse. FATF anti-money laundering group raises Iran risks
Reuters: An international anti-money laundering body will alert members on Thursday to deficiences in Iran’s system of combating money laundering and terrorism financing, a U.S. Treasury official said. Iran president to show off influence on Iraq visit
Reuters: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad makes a landmark trip to Iraq on Sunday seeking to show that Iran is an influential player in Iraqi politics which the United States can ill afford to isolate or ignore. New sanctions against Iran likely soon
AP: The U.N. Security Council will approve new sanctions against Iran for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment but the timing is uncertain and the resolution may not get unanimous support. European firm thrives in Iran despite sanctions
Reuters: British executive Robert Mills says his express delivery firm is enjoying explosive growth in Iran, despite tightening international sanctions on the Islamic Republic over its disputed nuclear plans. Iran: Activists condemn workers’ lashing sentences
RFE/RL: Labor rights activists and prominent human rights figures have condemned the lashing sentences that have been handed down in recent weeks to 11 workers in the Iranian province of Kurdistan. Questions persist on Iran’s nuclear plans
Christian Science Monitor: The document is 15 pages long, and among other things, it describes procedures for fabricating hemispheres of uranium metal key components for a nuclear weapon. UN vote on new Iran sanctions put off to next week: diplomat
AFP: A Security Council vote on new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear defiance won’t happen until next week as sponsors of the draft mull new amendments to try to secure unanimous support, a Western diplomat said Wednesday. Iran may face new IAEA governors action: U.S.
Reuters: Iran’s dismissal of intelligence indicating it tested technology relevant to nuclear bombs could trigger action by U.N. nuclear watchdog governors to press Iran for transparency, the chief U.S. envoy said on Wednesday. 