Reuters: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected criticism of his likening of a nuclear-armed Iran to the Nazi Holocaust as improper, saying in an address to the country on Wednesday that “uncomfortable truths” must be aired.
Netanyahu defends comparison of Iran, Nazi Holocaust
Turkey intercepts ship with suspected arms headed for Syria
AFP: Turkey has intercepted a vessel in the Mediterranean suspected of carrying weapons and ammunition to Syria, a diplomatic source told AFP on Wednesday.
Swiss govt freezes more Iranian assets
AP: The Swiss government has extended its financial sanctions against Iran by freezing the assets of 11 more companies and people but decided not to take any action against Tehran’s central bank, officials said Wednesday.
Oil buyers cut more Iran imports due to sanctions
Reuters: Japan will slash crude purchases from Iran in April, and European and Taiwanese customers will also take less, industry sources told Reuters on Wednesday, adding to signs Western sanctions are curbing sales from OPEC’s second-largest producer.
Much atalk about nothing
Iran Focus – Editorial: The strongest message out of the nuclear talks with Iran over the weekend was that western powers are willing to tolerate even the most egregious violations and intransigence by a pariah state only if it agrees to talk nicely.
North Korea-Iran link worries analysts
UPI: The audience present at North Korea’s failed rocket launch included Iranian missile and satellite manufacturers and engineers, analysts say.
Iran thanks Saudis for sparing death row citizens
AFP: Iran — a country slammed by international rights groups for its state executions — on Wednesday welcomed Saudi Arabia suspending death sentences against several of its nationals convicted for drug trafficking.
Foreign firms say times tough in Iran’s energy sector
AFP: Foreign firms dealing with Iran’s oil and gas sector admit that severe Western sanctions are taking their toll on business, despite Tehran talking up its ambitions at the opening of an international industry exhibition this week.
Marine insurance: the stranglehold on Iran?
Reuters: Marine insurance, or lack of it, may yet turn out to be the most effective sanction used by Western nations in 17 years of tightening the screws on Iran’s nuclear programme.
S.Africa Engen buys Saudi crude to replace Iran
Reuters: Engen has turned to top oil exporter Saudi Aramco for additional crude after South Africa’s biggest buyer of Iranian crude halted imports from the Islamic Republic, trade sources said on Wednesday.
