Reuters: The idea of a managed transition of power in Syria is an “illusion,” Iran’s foreign minister said on Sunday, as his Syrian counterpart expressed Damascus’ commitment to international mediator Kofi Annan’s peace plan.
Notion of Syria power transition “an illusion”: Iran FM
Sanctions-hit Iran ‘expands’ oil tanker insurance
AFP: Iran is expanding its insurance on its fleet of 47 oil tankers through a multi-billion-dollar line of credit as it seeks to get around EU sanctions crimping its crude exports, reports said on Saturday.
Family of ex-Marine held in Iran has little news
AP: The family of an ex-U.S. Marine sentenced to death for spying in Iran said Friday that members have received little information about his case months after a new trial was reportedly ordered.
Iran begins stockpiling 3-month food supply
AP: An Iranian news agency is reporting the country has begun to stockpile a three-month supply of foodstuffs for its population.
Syria has expanded chemical weapons supply with Iran’s help, documents show
Washington Post: Syria has expanded its chemical weapons arsenal in recent years with help from Iran and by using front organizations to buy sophisticated equipment it claimed was for civilian programs, according to documents and interviews.
Official: Iran willing to continue nuclear talks
AP: Iran is willing to continue talks with world powers over its nuclear program until they reach a conclusion, a senior Iranian official said Friday in a report by semiofficial ISNA news agency.
Lawmakers press for tough Iran sanctions bill
AP: Republicans and Democrats are pressuring congressional negotiators to produce legislation imposing the severest penalties on Iran, targeting its energy sector and financial institutions as the United States seeks to weaken Tehran economically and derail its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Syria, Iran sign electricity, water agreements, Sana reports
Bloomberg: A Syrian delegation on a visit to Tehran has signed agreements with Iran in the fields of electricity, health and water, Syria’s state-run Sana news agency said.
No more ‘pressure campaign’ on Iranian refugees in Ashraf
UPI: The author argues that many international officials, foremost U.N. Envoy Martin Kobler, are ignoring the basic needs of Iranian refugees in Iraq.
Treasury Secretary urged to investigate ZTE
Reuters: Seventeen U.S. lawmakers have called on Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to investigate ZTE Corp, the Chinese telecommunications equipment maker, over allegations it sold a surveillance system and banned U.S. computer equipment to Iran.
