Bloomberg: Japan’s crude imports from Iran more than doubled in May from a year earlier despite sanctions against the Persian Gulf country. Crude imports rose to 1.09 million kiloliters, or about 222,000 barrels a day, up from about 523,000 kiloliters in May 2012, according to data today from the Ministry of Finance.
Oil imports from Iran double in Japan despite Western sanctions
UN envoy voices sectarian worry on leaving Iraq
AFP:he UN’s special envoy to Baghdad voiced worry over rising levels of violence and worsening sectarianism in Iraq in an interview with AFP, warning in particular of a deterioration in security.
How close is Iran to having a nuclear bomb?
The Economist: Iran is putting up with sanctions that damage its economy rather than accept a deal limiting its nuclear programme. It has developed the capacity to enrich far more uranium than it needs for generating nuclear power or for medical research. And its outgoing president has talked about wanting to wipe Israel off the map.
More economic turmoil in Iran after presidential election
Financial Times: Iran is suffering a new round of economic instability after the unexpected victory of moderate president-elect Hassan Rohani earlier this month. Although the national currency, the rial, has risen by 12 per cent since Mr Rohani’s win, prices have remained high as wholesalers insist the strengthening of the rial is temporary because sanctions on the country’s nuclear programme remain in place.
Iran’s new president won’t compromise
USA Today: History, it is said, doesn’t repeat itself, but occasionally it does rhyme. So it is with Western policy toward Iran, which is on the verge of returning to the costly rhythm of the past. To understand why, it’s necessary to recall the summer of 1997. That was when a relatively obscure, soft-line cleric named Mohammad Khatami unexpectedly emerged as the front-runner for the Iranian presidency.
New Qatar emir extends hand to ‘all’, replaces PM
AFP: Qatar’s new emir on Wednesday said his country seeks strong ties with “all governments” in his first speech since taking power, as he swept aside the powerful prime minister who had served his father before him.
Rohani will continue Iran’s help for Assad, says lawmaker
Bloomberg: Iran’s President-elect Hassan Rohani will not change the country’s policy of supporting Bashar al-Assad in Syria’s civil war, according to a member of the Iranian parliament.
Egypt detains Shi’ite activist over weapons possession
Reuters: Security forces detained an Egyptian Shi’ite activist for possessing of illegal weapons two days after Shi’ites were killed in an attack by Sunni Muslims in a town near Cairo, a prosecution source said on Wednesday.
Iran’s Khamenei says nuclear talks easy if enemy not stubborn
Reuters: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday the dispute over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program could easily be resolved if the West were to stop being so stubborn.
Kerry in Kuwait on swing through Asia, Mideast
AP: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is making his first visit to Kuwait as America’s top diplomat, having talks with the tiny, oil-rich country’s leader about deepening violence in Syria, Iran’s new president and prospects for peace in the Mideast.
