AP: Iran says it hopes upcoming talks with an EU official could pave the way for the resumption of high-level negotiations with world powers over Tehran’s controversial nuclear program.
Iran hopes for resumption of high-level nuke talks
Oil near seven-week high on Iran tension, Fed speculation
Bloomberg: Oil traded near its highest level in seven weeks in New York on estimates that U.S. supplies declined last week, concern that tensions with Iran will worsen and signs that the Federal Reserve may boost stimulus measures.
U.S. Navy attack “threatens regional security”: Iran foreign ministry
Reuters: Iran on Tuesday criticized the actions of a U.S. navy ship that shot at an approaching fishing boat off the United Arab Emirates, saying the incident showed foreign forces threatened regional security.
UN urges peaceful solution to Camp Ashraf standoff
AP: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the Iraqi government and an Iranian opposition group that was given refuge in the country during Saddam Hussein’s rule on Monday to work together to peacefully complete the group’s relocation without further delay.
US uses most forceful language yet to oppose Iran nukes
Daily Telegraph: THE US will “use all elements of its power” to keep Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton declared after meeting top Israeli officials.
US Navy ship fires on boat off Dubai, killing 1
AP: U.S. Navy gunners aboard a refueling ship opened fire on a small boat racing toward them in broad daylight Monday near the Gulf city of Dubai, killing one person and injuring three.
Iran drought part of ‘soft war’ by West: VP
AFP: The drought in southern Iran is part of a “soft war” launched against the Islamic republic by the West, the Fars news agency quoted an Iranian vice president as saying on Monday.
Iran renews Hormuz closure threats
Reuters: Iran renewed threats on Sunday to close the Strait of Hormuz unless sanctions against it were revoked, though it remains unclear how Tehran could shut down the vital oil shipping channel given the significant American military presence there.
Iran shuts down coffee shops in morality crackdown
Reuters: Iranian police shut down dozens of restaurants and coffee shops over the weekend, Iranian media reported, in a renewed crackdown on what the state sees as immoral and un-Islamic behavior.
UAE launches pipeline skirting Iran-threatened Hormuz
AFP: The United Arab Emirates on Sunday inaugurated a pipeline to pump oil from east coast terminals, bypassing the strategic Strait of Hormuz which Iran has threatened to shut down, state-run WAM news agency reported.
