AP: Iraq’s acquiescence in possibly allowing Iranian weapons deliveries to the Syrian regime demonstrates Washington’s limited influence in postwar Iraq, its inability to halt Syria’s 18-month conflict and its continued struggle against Tehran for supremacy in the region.
Iraq’s role in Syria war poses problems for US
Iran hosts Islamic resistance festival
Washington Post: In a 300-year-old former caravansary, representatives from Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Amal movements, as well as Hamas and Islamic Jihad from the Palestinian territories, gathered Wednesday for the start of the third International Conference and Festival of Islamic Resistance, a two-day event.
Iraq in chaos – the legacy of western intervention
PublicServiceEurope: But the mullahs in neighbouring Iran would not tolerate Allawi as Iraq’s PM and cajoled their cohorts like Muqtada Al Sadr and Amar al-Hakim, to join forces with al Maliki to form a coalition.
Iran denies alleged nuclear work at suspect site
AP: An Iranian envoy is denying allegations that Tehran worked on developing nuclear arms at a military facility and then covered up the site to hide suspected clean-up efforts.
IAEA shows diplomats images of suspected Iran nuclear clean-up
Reuters: The U.N. nuclear watchdog showed a series of satellite images on Wednesday that added to suspicions of clean-up activity at an Iranian military site it wants to inspect, Western diplomats said, but Tehran’s envoy dismissed the presentation.
Russian firm to halt Iran ship work as pressure grows
Reuters: A Russian firm has decided to stop verifying safety and environmental standards for one of Iran’s biggest shipping groups, a letter showed, the latest international company wary of being caught up in Western sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
Iran works to bypass sanctions, Ahmadinejad says before UN trip
Bloomberg: Iran is working to by-pass sanctions that amount to a “full-scale, hidden psychological war” against the Islamic republic, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said.
US urges Iraq to inspect Iran planes amid arms fears
AFP: The United States on Wednesday urged Iraq to ensure that Iranian planes flying over its territory land and face cargo inspections, amid concerns Tehran is shipping arms to the Syrian regime.
Afghan inks deal with Iran for access to seaport
AP: The Afghan government has signed an agreement with Iran that gives land-locked Afghanistan access to a key seaport in the neighboring country.
In conflict with West, Iran stirs war memories at home
Reuters: Iranian leaders hoping to lift morale at a time of rising prices, food shortages and threats of attack from Israel are drawing on memories of another era when people united against a common foe: Saddam Hussein’s Iraq.
