Reuters: With international sanctions squeezing Iran, the Islamic Republic is seeking to expand its banking foothold in the Caucasus nation of Armenia to make up for difficulties in countries it used to rely on to do business, according to diplomats and documents.
Iran looks to Armenia to skirt bank sanctions
US eyes Iran summit of non-aligned nations warily
AP: The Obama administration said Monday that Iran doesn’t deserve to host a summit of non-aligned nations later this month but urged foreign leaders who decide to attend to press the Iranian government comply with international demands to come clean about its nuclear program.
US seizes $150 mn in Hezbollah-linked funds
AFP: US authorities on Monday announced the seizure of $150 million allegedly linked to a scheme by the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to launder proceeds from drug trafficking and other crimes. Washington considers the Shiite militant group a terrorist organization and accuses Syria and Iran of providing its weaponry.
Iraq denies helping Iran avoid sanctions
AFP: Iraq insisted on Monday that its trade with neighbouring Iran was above board, and denied reports that it was helping the Islamic republic skirt sanctions by smuggling oil and secretly moving cash.
Iran tanker sailing to Singapore after leaving export facility
Bloomber: An Iranian crude oil-tanker signaled it’s sailing for Singapore after calling at Kharg Island, the Persian Gulf country’s biggest export facility, ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg show.
S.Korea to resume Iran oil imports from Sept -econ min sources
Reuters: South Korean refiners will resume imports of up to 200,000 barrels per day of Iranian crude from September, economy ministry sources said on Monday, ending a two-month gap due to a European Union ban on insurance cover for Iranian oil.
Universities in Iran put limits on women’s options
New York Times: Thirty-six universities in Iran have banned women from 77 fields of study. The ban, which was first reported Aug. 6 by Iran’s semiofficial Mehr News Agency, came as the results of university entrance exams for the coming academic year were being announced.
Oil hits 3.5-month high on Middle East tensions
AFP: World oil prices rose Monday, with New York crude reaching the highest level for three and a half months on tensions between Iran and Israel, and economic recovery hopes, analysts said.
Israeli buzz on attacking Iran aims to pressure US
AFP: A high-volume public debate in Israel over a possible imminent military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities is designed to pressure Washington to back its ally more firmly, experts say.
Official: Iran tensions delay Israel immigration
AP: A top Israeli immigration official says tensions with Iran are causing some Jews to postpone plans to move to Israel.
