Reuters) – A multi-billion dollar organization controlled by Iran’s supreme leader shook up the management of its charity division, appointing as its new chief a man involved in the confiscation of thousands of properties from Iranian citizens.
Iran shakes up foundation controlled by Ayatollah’s business empire
Quake near Iran nuclear plant kills 8
AFP: A 5.7 magnitude earthquake on the Gulf coast near Iran’s sole nuclear power plant killed eight people and injured 190 on Thursday, emergency response chief Hassan Qadami told state media.
Iran seizes two Saudi fishing boats, arrests 9 sailors
UPI: “Yesterday, the coast guards deployed in the country’s southern waters came to spot two vessels in Iran’s protected waters in the south using electronic and optic tools and equipment,” the Fars News Agency quoted Qalandar Lashkari, commander of Bushehr province’s coast guard, as saying.
Iran says to produce more low-enriched uranium
AP: Iran’s official news agency, IRNA quotes Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran’s nuclear department, as saying machines which were earlier producing 20 percent enriched uranium will be engaged in producing low-level enriched uranium.
Iran nuclear deal seen pushing Indian rice sellers to cut prices
Bloomberg: Rice exporters from India, the biggest supplier to Iran, may cut prices to retain market share as easing of sanctions on the Persian Gulf nation opens doors for increased supplies from Thailand and Pakistan, traders said.
UN women’s rights resolution passed despite backlash
AFP: A UN General Assembly committee has agreed a landmark first resolution on women’s rights defenders such as Malala Yousafzai. Iran, Russia, China and conservative Muslim states had sought to weaken the resolution passed by the assembly’s human rights committee.
Syria’s Assad hails Iran ‘resilience’ on nuclear deal
AFP: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad hailed the “resilience” of Iran in striking a landmark nuclear deal with world powers, according to his Facebook page on Wednesday. The posting on Assad’s page said the deal was “the result of the Iranian people’s resilience”.
Iran says to continue building at Arak nuclear site despite deal
Reuters: Iran will pursue construction at the Arak heavy-water reactor, Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif was quoted as saying on Wednesday, despite a deal with world powers to shelve a project they fear could yield plutonium for atomic bombs.
Iran six-month nuclear freeze period not started
AFP: Iran’s six-month temporary rollback of its nuclear activities agreed to in the recent deal has not begun and the start date has not yet been set, a spokesman for world powers’ chief negotiator said Wednesday.
Iran deal gives UN more _ but not full _ overview
AP: The U.N. will probably not begin expanded inspections under last weekend’s Iranian nuclear deal until early next year, officials said Wednesday. Even then, they will be limited to sites the Iranians have confirmed and not those critics suspect may exist secretly.
