Arab News: Last Tuesday, April 9, a massive earthquake hit southern Iran, next to the Bushehr nuclear power plant. The earthquake has heightened concerns about possible damage to this nuclear reactor, with possible devastation throughout Iran and the Gulf.
Iran’s earthquakes and nuclear power: Too close for comfort
Gulf countries meet over Iran nuclear radiation fears
Reuters: National emergency officials in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries met on Sunday in Saudi Arabia to discuss the risk of radiation spreading over the Gulf if Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant is damaged by another earthquake.
Iraqis prepare for first vote since US withdrawal
AP: Even the dead are not spared the campaigning for Iraq’s upcoming local elections. The April 20 vote for provincial governing councils will be the first election since the U.S. military withdrawal in December 2011.
Ahmadinejad to visit uranium-rich Niger
AFP: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will leave on Sunday for a visit to Benin, Ghana and Niger, the world’s fourth-largest uranium producer, the Fars news agency reported.
US ends Iran-related sanctions on 3 maritime firms
AP: The Obama administration is lifting sanctions it imposed on three companies two years ago for helping to ship Iranian oil in violation of U.S. law.
Russia condemns Iran’s uranium expansion
AFP: Russia condemned Iran’s unveiling of a new uranium production facility, warning the move could hurt progress in negotiations with world powers over Tehran’s contested nuclear programme, a report said Friday.
Iran negotiator: Sanctions can end ‘step by step’
AP: An Iranian negotiator suggests that “step by step” progress can be made toward lifting sanctions over the Iranian nuclear program. Ali Bagheri told state TV that Iran hopes the international talks can resume with a “constructive, clear and functional response” toward Iran.
Iranian opposition group opens Washington office
AFP: The People’s Mujahedeen, the Iranian opposition group listed by the United States as a terrorist organization until last year, opened an office in Washington Thursday for the first time in 15 years.
U.S. targets companies accused of evading Iran sanctions
Reuters: The United States on Thursday slapped financial penalties on an Iranian businessman, a Malaysian bank and a network of companies it accused of attempting to evade international sanctions on Iran’s nuclear program through money laundering.
Iran ex-nuclear negotiator joins presidential race
AFP: Iran’s former nuclear negotiator Hassan Rowhani joined the race to succeed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday, accusing the incumbent of needlessly incurring crippling economic sanctions.
