Iran Focus: The security forces have reportedly detained a number of former Preisdent, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani’s campaign staff in the aftermath of his disqualification by the watchdog Guardian Council.
Rafsanjani’s campaign staff detained
US says Iran nuke saga has hit ‘unfortunate milestone’
AFP: The UN nuclear watchdog’s latest report on Iran’s nuclear program marks the “unfortunate milestone” of a decade of Iranian defiance of the body, the US State Department said Wednesday.
U.S. Congress moves to tighten sanctions on Iran
Reuters: A U.S. House of Representatives committee approved legislation on Wednesday seeking to impose tighter sanctions on Iran, the latest congressional effort to slow development of the Islamic Republic’s disputed nuclear program.
Iranian drone found in Bahrain near Saudi: spokeswoman
AFP: Bahrain on Wednesday said it has found an Iranian drone in the kingdom’s north near Saudi Arabia and called for increased cooperation between regional security services to face “threats” from Tehran.
Ahmadinejad slams decision to bar ally from Iran vote
AFP: Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hit out Wednesday at a decision to disqualify a close ally from a vote to elect his successor, while former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani had no objections to his own omission.
April Iran oil imports drop 34.2 per cent vs March
Reuters: Oil imports from Iran fell 34.2 percent in April from March, data from trade sources showed on Wednesday, bolstering the country’s case for the renewal of a waiver from US sanctions on Tehran due to expire next month.
New evidence of Iran support to Assad, while congress moves to arm rebels
ABC News: The United States has new evidence that Iran and Hezbollah have direct involvement with the Syrian regime, a senior State Department official told reporters traveling with Secretary of State John Kerry in Oman.
Iran moves to impose steep export duty on iron ore
Reuters: Iran’s government is negotiating a tax of up to 40 percent on iron ore exports to take advantage of a surge in sales to China, aiming to replace revenue from oil and other sources eroded by sanctions.
Iran bars Rafsanjani from standing for president
AFP: Iran’s moderate ex-president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has been barred from standing in next month’s presidential election, along with a controversial aide of incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the interior ministry said on Tuesday.
Saudi arrests 10 Iran spy suspects: ministry
AFP: Saudi authorities have arrested 10 more suspects in an alleged Iranian spy ring unveiled two months ago, an interior ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.
