Reuters: Iran’s oil shipping operator NITC is expanding its oil tanker fleet with the first of 12 supertankers to be delivered from China in May, fortuitous timing for the OPEC member as Western sanctions force Tehran to rely more on its ships to export oil.
Iran to expand oil tanker fleet ahead of sanctions
G-8 nations warn on Syria, Iran, North Korea
AP: At a critical time in international diplomacy, the world’s leading industrialized democracies on Thursday demanded that Syria comply with all portions of a U.N.-backed plan to end more than a year of deadly violence and warned Iran and North Korea not to engage in provocative behavior.
For Iran talks, trying to divine supreme leader’s intent
Reuters: When U.S. officials join talks this weekend about Iran’s nuclear program, they will be armed with profiles developed by intelligence agencies offering insight into what makes foreign leaders tick.
China to begin delivering oil ships to Iran in May
Reuters: Chinese shipyards are expected to deliver the first of 12 supertankers to Iranian oil shipping operator NITC in May, two months ahead of a European ban that would make it difficult for most of the world’s fleet to carry the OPEC member’s oil.
Russian envoy: P5-plus-one differ on Iran
UPI: The six world powers gathering in Turkey for nuclear talks with Iran Friday differ over how best to curb Iran’s aims, Russia’s deputy foreign minister said.
Oil prices climb as Iran meeting looms
AFP: Oil prices rose Thursday as the market braced for a key weekend meeting of major powers with crude-producer Iran to discuss its disputed nuclear program.
Iran plans to sell all its petrochemical plants
Bloomberg: Iran plans to sell its petrochemical industry to investors, state-run Press TV reported, citing Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi.
Iran reduces official selling prices for crude sold to Asia
Bloomberg: Iran cut the premium on its light and heavy grades sold to Asia in May, according to a company official, mirroring Saudi Arabia’s pricing changes announced last week.
Preview: Nuclear talks aim to ease fears of Iran war
Reuters: Major powers will hold their first talks with Iran this week in more than a year, hoping Tehran will give enough ground over its nuclear program to continue negotiations and avert the threat of a Middle East war.
12 Christians in Iran await verdicts after Easter Sunday apostasy trial
Fox News: Twelve Christians stood trial Easter Sunday in Iran, where they were called “apostates” in a courtroom and tried on multiple charges, according to sources close to Iran’s Christian community.
