AFP: Sanctions on Iran over its contested nuclear programme are biting but need to be strengthened further, French President Francois Hollande and his Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres said on Friday.
France, Israel for stronger sanctions on Iran
Iran opposition group urges more security in Iraq
AP: An Iranian opposition group urged the U.N. refugee agency Wednesday to provide better protection for its members in Iraq following a mortar attack on their camp near Baghdad airport in which seven people were killed.
Iran: Ignore US opposition to Pakistani gas deal
AP: Iran’s top leader told the visiting Pakistani president on Wednesday that the two countries should ignore U.S. opposition to construction of a gas pipeline.
Netanyahu urges “military sanctions” threat against Iran
Reuters: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the international community on Wednesday to threaten Iran with “military sanctions”, saying economic measures are failing to curb Tehran’s nuclear drive.
Iran on edge of recession as sanctions bite: US study
AFP: Tough sanctions on Iran are biting hard, slashing oil revenue and pushing the country close to recession as it seeks ways such as bartering to stay afloat, a US government report said Tuesday.
Iran runs altered images of Michelle Obama gown
AP: Iranian state media has run altered images of first lady Michelle Obama’s Oscars appearance, making her gown look less revealing. The first lady wore a sleeveless, scoop neck gown. The semi-official Fars news agency ran an altered photo that covered her shoulders and neckline with added material.
Hagel confirmed as next US secretary of defense
AFP: Despite Hagel’s impressive Vietnam War record, some Republicans insist his previous allegedly dovish position on Iran and supposedly lukewarm support for US-ally Israel disqualify him to be defense chief.
Shiite militant threatens Iranian exiles in Iraq
AP: The head of a new Shiite militant group in Iraq on Tuesday threatened to carry out more attacks on a camp for Iranian exiles that was struck by dozens of rockets and mortar shells earlier this month.
Iran said to plan countering offer by world powers
Bloomberg: Iran is preparing a counteroffer to a proposal by the U.S. and its partners to ease some banking, petrochemical and gold sanctions if the nation curbs its atomic activities, according to two officials close to negotiations over the Islamic Republic’s disputed nuclear program.
Researchers say Stuxnet was deployed against Iran in 2007
Reuters: Researchers at Symantec Corp have uncovered a version of the Stuxnet computer virus that was used to attack Iran’s nuclear program in November 2007, two years earlier than previously thought.
