Reuters: Petronas’ South African unit Engen said on Wednesday it had halted all imports of crude from Iran after deciding the sanctions placed on the Middle Eastern country were a risk to its security of supply.
Petronas S.Africa unit Engen ends Iran crude imports
Iraq offers to host nuclear negotiations, Iranian TV says
Bloomberg: Iraq has offered to host the next round of talks on Iran’s nuclear program, planned for this month, Iranian state television reported, citing an unidentified Iraqi official.
Clinton warns of ‘destabilizing’ Iran options
AFP: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned that a nuclear-armed Iran or a conflict over its program would both destabilize the region as she pressed Tehran for clear commitments in upcoming talks.
Iran lawmakers seek to impeach labor minister, state media say
Bloomberg: A group of 19 Iranian parliamentarians are seeking to impeach Labor, Cooperatives and Social Welfare Minister Abdolreza Sheikholeslami after he appointed an official accused of links to the deaths of prisoners in custody, the state-run Fars news agency reported.
Iran ex-president urges better ties with Saudis
AFP: Iran should forge better ties with regional rival Saudi Arabia to counter Western sanctions on Iranian oil, a former president who now chairs an advisory body to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged on Tuesday.
Greek refiner stops Iran oil buys, banking a problem
Reuters: Greece’s top refiner Hellenic Petroleum has suspended purchases of Iranian crude in April as approaching sanctions on Tehran have made banking payments virtually impossible, a senior source at the firm said.
Iran families face inflation, unemployment, Tehran Times says
Bloomberg: Most Iranian families are grappling with inflation and youth unemployment, the Tehran Times reported, citing Parliamentary Speaker Ali Larijani.
Iranians count the cost of Nowruz traffic carnage
The Guardian: As the Iranian New Year holiday comes to an end, it is estimated that between 500 and 700 Iranians lost their lives in road accidents during the two weeks’ holiday, from 20 March to early April.
Iran sanctions biting; cut North Korea food aid, Richardson says
Bloomberg: Bill Richardson, former U.S. Energy Secretary, comments on the rising price of oil, China’s role in sanctions against Iran and North Korea’s plan to launch a rocket. He spoke in a Bloomberg Television interview today at the Boao Forum for Asia in China.
No date, place yet for Iran nuclear talks: Russia
AFP: Russia said Monday that the date and place for talks with Iran on its controversial nuclear programme have not been set, despite a US announcement over the first such meeting in more than a year.
