Reuters: ZTE Corp, the world’s fifth-biggest telecommunications equipment maker, could face steep fines and restrictions on its U.S. operations if it is found to have illegally sold U.S. computer products to Iran.
Analysis: U.S. criminal inquiry puts much at risk for ZTE
Iran auto production plunges by a third
AFP: Iran’s auto production fell by more than 36 percent over the past three months, the industry ministry was quoted by ISNA news agency as saying on Saturday, citing “lack of money.”
US charges Iranian, Chinese on Iran enrichment
AFP: The United States on Friday announced charges against an Iranian citizen and Chinese resident for allegedly trying to export nuclear-related material to help Tehran enrich uranium.
Iran issues new oil blockade warning
Reuters: Iran could prevent even “a single drop of oil” passing through the Strait of Hormuz if its security is threatened, a naval chief said on Saturday, as tensions simmer over Tehran’s nuclear program.
U.S.: Iran uses front companies to evade sanctions
UPI: The U.S. Treasury Department has identified several front companies it says are helping Tehran evade U.S. and European sanctions aimed at throttling Iran’s oil exports.
U.S. State Department must show some spine on Iranian dissidents
UPI: The fate of 3,400 Iranian dissidents in Iraq must not be a bargaining chip to appease the Iranian regime and their Iraqi agents.
Japan set to load first Iran crude with sovereign insurance
Bloomberg: Japan will load its first Iranian crude cargo backed by sovereign guarantees since sanctions disrupted coverage in the international reinsurance market.
Insight: Despite sanctions, Apple gear booms in Iran
Reuters: At its gleaming store, RadanMac offers the latest Apple gear – the new iPad, iPhones, iPods, laptops, all-in-one desktop computers and more.
South Korea mulls offer of Iranian oil tankers
AFP: Seoul is considering an offer by Tehran to send crude on Iranian tankers to South Korea, officials said Friday, as a way to circumvent EU sanctions and resume imports of oil from Iran.
UK says it foiled Iran nuke weapon drive
Daily Telegraph: Britain’s foreign intelligence chief believes his agents delayed an attempt by Iran to acquire nuclear weapons but the pariah state will become armed within two years, the Daily Telegraph reports.
