AP: Senators pressed ahead Thursday on a new set of tough sanctions against Iran’s domestic industries as they seek to cripple the Islamic republic’s economy and thwart its nuclear ambitions.
Lawmakers unveil new round of Iran sanctions
IAEA chief calls for ‘urgent’ Iran diplomacy
AFP: The head of the UN atomic agency called Thursday for diplomatic “urgency” in the Iranian nuclear standoff, even as Tehran signalled its continued defiance of UN Security Council demands to suspend key activities.
Iran delay of reactor to 2014 gives talks time: Diplomats
Bloomberg: Iran’s decision to delay the startup of a plutonium-producing reactor until 2014 creates time for negotiations and may reduce threats of military strikes to disrupt the Persian Gulf nation’s nuclear work, said four western diplomats familiar with the talks.
UN nuclear chief expresses concern for inspectors
AP: The head of the U.N. nuclear agency suggested Thursday that his inspectors in Iran are coming under increased duress amid fears that Tehran might be aspiring to make atomic arms. He would not say what kind of pressure they face.
U.N. chief appeals for countries to take Iran dissidents
Reuters: U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon appealed on Thursday for countries to consider resettling several thousand Iranian dissidents living in Iraq who were recently moved to a former U.S. military base in Baghdad from a camp where they lived for decades.
U.S. gives Iran until March to cooperate with IAEA
Reuters: The United States set a March deadline on Thursday for Iran to start cooperating in substance with a U.N. nuclear agency investigation, warning Tehran the issue may otherwise be referred to the U.N. Security Council.
Iran to include Indian tea in top import list
Economic Times: Iran has assured India it will include Indian tea in the top category of import items. Tea Board of India has now decided to promote Indian tea in tier-II cities of Iran.
Iran in focus at UN atomic energy meeting
AFP: Iran is set to be the main talking point at a two-day meeting of the UN atomic agency starting Thursday, amid ongoing weaponisation fears and safety concerns over Tehran’s only operating nuclear power plant.
Japan oil imports from Iran fall in October on U.S. sanctions
Bloomberg: Japan’s crude imports from Iran slumped 63 percent in October to the second-lowest level since the U.S. exempted the Asian nation from sanctions targeting the Middle East country’s nuclear program.
10 detained in incident at Iran embassy in Berlin
AP: Police say a group of assailants pelted the Iranian Embassy in Berlin with stones and paint and pulled down an Iranian flag — prompting Germany’s foreign minister to express regret to his counterpart in Tehran.
