Reuters: China may buy more Iranian oil next year as a state trader is negotiating a new light crude contract that could raise imports from Tehran to levels not seen since tough Western sanctions were imposed in 2012, running the risk of upsetting Washington.
China may raise Iran oil imports with new contract: sources
Bahrain says it seized Iranian, Syrian explosives
AFP: Bahraini authorities said Monday they have seized a boat smuggling explosives made in Iran and Syria into the Sunni-ruled kingdom, which quashed a Shiite-led uprising in 2011.
Report: Iranian tycoon arrested
AP: Iran’s official news agency says tycoon Babak Zanjani has been arrested over corruption charges. The U.S. has blacklisted him for allegedly attempting to evade economic sanctions against Iran.
Iran, world powers resume nuclear talks
AFP: Closed-door talks resumed Monday between Iran and world powers on implementing a landmark deal to rein in Tehran’s controversial nuclear programme in exchange for easing sanctions.
Oman stands in U.S.’s corner on Iran deal
Wall Street Journal: Washington has gained a little-known ally in its bid to win crucial Arab support for curbing Iran’s nuclear program: Oman, a small kingdom that is expanding its role on the Middle East’s diplomatic stage.
Iran again plays the U.S. for a fool
Wall Street Journal: The U.S. is following the same path it did under the Clinton administration when it negotiated with North Korea on nuclear weapons.
Saudi to give Lebanon $3B to strengthen army
AP: Saudi Arabia has pledged $3 billion to Lebanon to help strengthen the country’s armed forces and purchase weapons from France, Lebanon’s president said Sunday, calling it the biggest grant ever for the nation’s military.
Syria committed to Iran attending peace talks
AFP: Syria is committed to its key regional ally Iran attending a planned peace conference next month to which it has yet to be invited, Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said Sunday.
Officials: Iran talks hit bump over enrichment
AP: Iran is taking steps to improve its ability to speed up uranium enrichment that could delay implementation of a nuclear deal with six world powers because Tehran’s moves are opposed by the United States and its allies.
Rockets rain down on the 3,000 defenceless refugees in Camp Liberty in Baghdad
Struan Stevenson MEP: At least three more people have been killed and dozens wounded in the most recent of a series of barbarous and well-planned attacks, orchestrated by the regime of Nouri al-Maliki acting certainly on the instructions of the mullahs in Tehran.
