Wall Street Journal: Standard Chartered PLC is nearing a settlement with U.S. authorities over transactions with Iranian clients that may have violated U.S. sanctions against the Middle Eastern country, said people involved in the negotiations.
Standard Chartered nears Iran settlement
United Nations’ unfinished work in Iraq
UPI: Ten years after the Iraq war, the United Nations still has a major mandate and an unfinished business in that country — help Iranian dissidents in the country.
Iran blogger’s death in prison sets off blame game
Los Angeles Times: The mysterious death of a dissident blogger while in Iranian police custody this month has generated a rare torrent of criticism from officials apparently embarrassed by a case that has drawn international condemnation and again shined a spotlight on the nation’s poor human rights record.
Faith under siege: The Baha’is of Semnan, Iran
Washington Post: Imagine if you lived in a world where it is government-sanctioned practice to be constantly under surveillance, to have your property confiscated or destroyed, your educational rights denied, your children harassed, and your livelihood taken away.
For victims of the Iranian regime, it’s a long quest for justice
Ottawa Citizen: In New York on Tuesday, for the 10th year in a row, the United Nations adopted a Canadian-drafted resolution demanding that the Iranian government live up to its human rights obligations as a UN member state.
Iran showcases new warships near strategic waters
AP: Navy officials watched as the domestically-produced Sina-7, equipped with anti-ship missiles, was launched Wednesday at Bandar Abbas, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Two new Iranian-built Ghadir submarines and two repaired hovercrafts were also delivered to the Navy.
Iran condemns UN panel’s rights resolution
AFP: Iran’s foreign ministry criticised a UN committee on Wednesday for passing a resolution condemning its human rights record, and accused the West of using the issue for political gain.
Iran: Uranium enrichment to be speeded up
AP: Iran will step up its uranium enrichment program by sharply increasing the number of centrifuges used to make nuclear fuel, a senior official said Wednesday, in direct defiance of Western demands.
Iran welcomes UK decision barring arms case extradition
Reuters: Iran’s Foreign Ministry has welcomed the decision of a British court not to extradite a former Iranian diplomat wanted by the United States after he was caught in a sting operation trying to export night-vision weapons’ sights to Iran.
Senate works on new package of Iran sanctions
Reuters: New sanctions aimed at reducing global trade with Iran in the energy, shipping and metals sectors may soon be considered by the U.S. Senate as part of an annual defense policy bill, senators and aides said on Tuesday.
