Reuters: Iraq questions the continued presence of large numbers of Americans on its soil, U.S. lawmakers were warned on Thursday, even as the State Department plans to shrink the size of its mission by almost a third over the next 16 months.
Iraq’s commitment to US mission questioned in Congress
Dissident warnings from Iran
Huffington Post: Two dissenting Iranian religious figures — an imprisoned cleric and an exiled spiritual Sufi — have issued messages to the world condemning the Iranian theocratic authorities and calling on all religious believers to assist Iranians against the governing hierarchy.
Britain condemns Iranian’s comments
UKPA: Britain has condemned as anti-semitic remarks made by Iran’s vice-president Mohammad-Reza Rahimi at a UN conference in Tehran.
U.S. faces deadline to sanction China over Iran
CNN: The United States faces a deadline Thursday of deciding whether to issue a waiver to China and other purchasers of Iranian oil, or move to cut them off from the U.S. financial system as punishment for not reducing their purchases of Iranian crude by significant amounts.
Japan’s May Iran crude imports slide ahead of sanctions
Reuters: Japan’s crude imports from Iran almost halved in May from a year ago as refiners in the world’s third-largest economy lifted less oil in advance of an EU ban on insurance for shipments from the Middle Eastern country that goes into effect on Sunday.
Oil over $100 seen on Iran after worst quarter since ’08
Bloomberg: Brent crude is set to recover from its worst quarter since 2008 as a European Union ban on Iranian oil takes effect, central banks act to protect growth and on speculation OPEC will curb some of its excess supply.
Navy chief: Iranian navy in Gulf quiet lately
AP: Iran’s naval forces, periodically accused by the U.S. of provocative moves in the Persian Gulf, have shown restraint in recent months, the U.S. Navy’s top admiral said Wednesday.
Egypt’s president-elect to sue Iranian news agency
Reuters: The office of Egyptian president-elect Mohamed Mursi will file a lawsuit against the Iranian news agency Fars for making up an interview with him which said he promised to improve ties between the two countries, Mursi’s spokesman said on Wednesday.
Falling oil prices put Iran over U.S. sanctions barrel
Reuters: For most of this year, the threat of tough U.S. sanctions on Iran, the world’s third-largest oil exporter, helped push crude oil prices higher and higher, adding a menacing headwind for struggling global economies.
Obama, UAE prince talk Iran, Syria, oil: White House
Reuters: U.S. President Barack Obama discussed conditions in Iran and Syria as well as global energy prices with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan on Wednesday, the White House said.
