Reuters: Using shadowy middle men, multiple bank accounts and a fleet of ghost ships, Iran’s coal trade is quietly booming as the Islamic Republic tries to sidestep Western sanctions and prevent its industrial economy from crashing.
Iran’s coal shipping trade booms despite Western heat
Shell seeks Iran sanctions workaround via Cargill grain barter
Reuters: Oil major Royal Dutch/Shell (RDSa.L) is seeking to work around international sanctions by repaying a $1.4 billion oil debt to Iran with a grain barter deal via U.S. agribusiness giant Cargill CARG.UL, industry sources said.
Iranian dissidents win 2012 Sakharov prize
AP: Two Iranian dissidents — a lawyer and a film director — were awarded the 2012 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The European Parliament awarded the prize Friday to Nasrin Sotoudeh and Jafar Panahi
UK holds talks with US on possible Iran scenarios
AP: Britain is involved in military contingency planning with the United States over Iran and other potential flashpoints in the Middle East, officials said Friday — but they insisted the talks are not a prelude to a pre-emptive strike against Tehran’s nuclear program.
UK man to strike US plea deal in Iran missiles case
AFP: The wife of a British businessman who is set to strike a plea deal with US prosecutors over charges he sold missile components to Iran said Friday it was the beginning of his “swift and safe return” home.
IBM received request from SEC over dealings with Iran, ZTE
Bloomberg: International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) received a request from the Securities and Exchange Commission to describe its interactions with Iran, following reports that ZTE Corp. (000063) resold some IBM products in the country.
Intelsat blocks Iranian channels in Europe
AFP: International satellite services provider Intelsat has blocked Iran’s official broadcast channels in Europe, a company spokesman said Thursday.
Hague tribunal judges killings in wake of Islamic revolution
AFP: A tribunal set up by victims of political crimes committed in the wake of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution began hearings Thursday in a bid to highlight killings ignored by international justice.
Italian premier says Iran sanctions are effective
AP: Italy’s premier says stepped up European sanctions against Iran are proving effective. Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mario Monti said the sanctions were “inflicting the pain” on Iran.
EU contacts Iran over nuclear dispute
AFP: The EU, leading diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme, has talked to Tehran to bring it up to date on the latest discussions, officials said Thursday.
