New York Times: Amir Hekmati, an American incarcerated in Iran since August 2011, recently wrote to its foreign minister seeking help in gaining his release, after Mr. Hekmati learned from his new lawyer that he had been secretly tried and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
Ex-marine held in Iran asks official for help
Obama signs bill aimed at blocking Iran’s UN envoy
AP: President Barack Obama signed legislation Friday aimed at blocking Iran’s chosen ambassador to the United Nations because of his ties to the 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. But the president says he’s only treating the legislation as guidance.
Iran may supply gas at $3/mmbtu to India’s proposed urea plant
Business Standard: Iran is likely to supply gas at USD 3 per mmbtu for India’s proposed urea and ammonia plant to be set up in the Persian Gulf nation. Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF) and Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilisers & Chemicals (GNFC) have been jointly working on this project.
Iran gets an unlikely visitor, an American plane
New York Times: Iran had an unlikely visitor: a plane, owned by the Bank of Utah, a community bank in Ogden that has 13 branches throughout the state. Bearing a small American flag on its tail, the aircraft was parked in a highly visible section of Mehrabad Airport in Tehran.
Iran says will firmly deter any attacks as military displays might
Reuters: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the Islamic Republic had the might to deter any attacks as its military displayed a range of drones and missiles at an annual parade in Tehran, state television reported on Friday.
Iran: Rouhani talks peace at army parade
AP: Iran’s president has underscored his moderate policies and outreach to the West during a military parade marking the country’s National Army Day. Hassan Rouhani said on Friday that Iran has no hostile intentions toward anyone in the world, including the United States.
US settlement reached to sell Iran-owned skyscraper in New York
AFP: US prosecutors unveiled plans Thursday to sell an Iran-owned Manhattan skyscraper in the largest terror-related seizure ever, and distribute proceeds to families affected by attacks linked to Tehran.
Iran may keep nuclear program after Ukraine, Cohen says
Bloomberg: Iran may be less likely to halt its nuclear weaponry program after the U.S. and Europe failed to stop Russia from annexing part of Ukraine, which 20 years ago gave up its nuclear weapons in exchange for security guarantees, said former U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen.
US releases $450 mln in frozen Iran funds
AFP: The United States has authorized the release of a $450 million installment in Iranian assets that were frozen as punishment for Tehran’s disputed nuclear program, the State Department said Thursday.
Iran mother spares life of son’s killer after campaign
AFP: In a case that has provoked surprise in Iran and across the world, the killer, known only as Balal, was saved dramatically on Tuesday, as a crowd looked on, awaiting his execution. Samereh Alinejad pardoned the killer of his son, imparting only a slap on his face as punishment.
