Reuters: Iran is cracking down on activists and their lawyers, meting out harsh sentences in an effort to quash pro-democracy activities, United Nations human rights experts said on Friday.
U.N. rights experts decry “mounting repression” in Iran
Iran may lose 9.5% of oil contracts as Asian buyers cut imports
Bloomberg: Iran is poised to lose at least 192,000 barrels a day of crude-supply contracts, or about 9.5 percent of its global exports, as Asian buyers curb purchases amid western sanctions targeting the nation’s oil trade.
Iran begins runoff parliamentary elections
AP: Iranian voters headed to the polls on Friday for a second round of parliamentary elections that are likely to see conservative opponents of President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad consolidate their hold on the legislature.
China’s Zhuhai Zhenrong books May fuel-oil shipment from Iran
Bloomberg: Zhuhai Zhenrong Co., the Chinese company censured by the U.S. in January for trading with Iran, provisionally hired an oil tanker to carry fuel oil from the Persian Gulf nation, shipping data showed.
World powers will stop nuclear Iran: German FM
AFP: German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle vowed Thursday that the international community will block Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, as he underscored Germany’s steadfast support for Israel.
‘This is Not a Film’ really a sly commentary on Iran
Boston Globe: The title of “This Is Not a Film” is itself a bitter joke on the illogic of totalitarian thinking. The acclaimed Iranian director Jafar Panahi is not allowed to make a film. Therefore, this is not a film.
Attorney for Christian pastor on death row in Iran reportedly sentenced to 9 years in jail
Fox News: Prominent human rights advocate and attorney Mohammad Ali Dadkhah has reportedly been sentenced to nine years in jail for allegedly “acting against national security” in Iran.
Moderate quake jolts western Iran
AP: A moderate earthquake has jolted a small town in western Iran near the Iraqi border.
Iran embargo impossible to meet as ships need its oil
Bloomberg: Europe’s oil embargo on Iran is having unforeseen consequences in the shipping market, making it almost impossible to determine if vessels are using fuel that violates the sanctions.
Iran attitude on Gulf islands ‘unacceptable’: Saudi
AFP: Saudi Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz has described as “unacceptable” Iran’s attitude towards three islands under its control which Gulf Cooperation Council member UAE claims it owns, a report said.
