The Hindu: In a sign that Western sanctions weigh heavily on it, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has virtually slammed the door on Iran for crude oil imports during 2013-14 and has instead increased imports from Iraq.
HPCL slams door on Iran for crude oil imports
Report: Member of Iran minority sets self on fire
AP: An Iranian semi-official news agency is reporting that a member of a small religious minority set himself on fire next to the country’s parliament building. ISNA’s late Saturday report says the man, a member of the Ahl Al-Haq, suddenly poured a bottle of fuel on his body and lit it. It said he was taken to hospital.
Iran offers sovereign cover for vessels, Indian refineries
Indian Express: With India refusing to provide a sovereign guarantee to refineries processing Iranian crude, Iran has stepped in to back Iranian insurance firms that cover the country’s ships and tankers calling at Indian ports, as well as extend insurance to Indian refineries.
Syrian PM to attend Iran’s presidential inauguration: envoy
Xinhua: Syrian Ambassador to Tehran Adnan Mahmoud said Saturday that his country’s prime minister will participate in Iran’s upcoming presidential inauguration, Press TV reported.
Report: Iran’s Ahmadinejad to set up university
AP: An Iranian news website says outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has obtained clearance to establish a technology university in Tehran after he leaves office next week.
Thailand sells 250,000 tonnes of rice to Iranian government
Business Recorder: The Thai government has signed a contract to sell 250,000 tonnes of rice from its stocks to Iran in a government-to-government deal and aimed to sell more to Asian governments, Thailand’s commerce minister said on Thursday.
Iranian Opposition warns of pending attacks on Camp Liberty
PR Newswire: The National Council of Resistance of Iran announced today that it has received reports from inside Iran indicating that regime’s ambassador to Baghdad has ordered Iraqi groups affiliated with the Iranian regime to start again rocket attacks on Camp Liberty during the holy month of Ramadan.
Renault profits plunge on Iranian charge
AFP: French auto group Renault reported a profit plunge on Friday owing to charges for halting its activities in Iran and for restructuring in France. The group reported a net profit for the first six months of the year of 39 million euros compared with 746 million euros at the same time last year.
Iran needs higher oil price for 2013 budget, Apicorp says
Bloomberg: Iran needs the highest oil price among OPEC members to balance its 2013 budget, according to an inter-governmental Arab energy lender. Iran requires an average crude price of $144 a barrel this year to break even, up from $127 last year.
North Korean delegate to visit Iran
UPI: The Iranian government said Friday it expected the president of the North Korean parliament to attend the August inauguration of President-elect Hassan Rouhani.
