Reuters: Iran’s trading partners are scrambling to comply with the latest U.S. sanctions against Iran. If countries such as China, India and South Korea do not cut down on their Iranian oil imports by mid-year when the U.S. sanctions go into effect, their financial institutions could be blocked from U.S. markets.
US Congress considers further Iranian penalties
US hits Iran firms for Africa, Syria weapons trade
AFP: The US government on Tuesday announced sanctions against an Iranian cargo airline, a trading company and military officials for allegedly shipping weapons to Syria and Africa.
‘Alarming’ surge in executions, says Amnesty
BBC: Amnesty International says there was a surge in the number of executions carried out worldwide in 2011, mainly centred in the Middle East.
Syria to top agenda at Arab summit in Baghdad
AP: Arab leaders will offer plans this week to break the political “stalemate” that has engulfed Syria but they won’t demand the resignation of President Bashar Assad, Iraq’s top diplomat says.
German minister warns Israel against Iran attack, Bild reports
Bloomberg: German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere said he warned Ehud Barak, his Israeli counterpart, against an attack on Iran’s nuclear installations, as the risks would be “incalculable,” Bild reported, citing an interview.
RBS halts India tanker payment due to Iran sanctions
Reuters: The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS.L) has halted payments to a Greek ship owner which transported Iranian oil for an Indian shipping company, in line with Western sanctions aimed at hindering Iranian crude exports, shipping sources told Reuters.
BMWs languishing at Iran dealers as sanctions boost costs
Bloomberg: Mostafa Farahmand, who oversees sales at a car dealer in Tehran, hasn’t replenished his stock of Porsche (PAH3), BMW (BMW) and Mercedes-Benz (DAI) models for months because neither he nor his customers can pay for them.
Somali pirates hijack Iran cargo ship in Maldives
AFP: Somali pirates seized an Iranian-owned cargo ship and its 23-strong crew in the first hijacking within Maldivian territory, a senior security official said.
Iran nuke talks venue unclear
AP: Iran and six world powers have agreed to meet on April 13 for new talks about Tehran’s nuclear program, but the failure of previous meetings and disputes over what should be discussed are keeping them from choosing a venue, diplomats told The Associated Press on Monday.
Obama warns N. Korea, Iran their options are few
AP: President Barack Obama warned North Korea and Iran on Monday that their options are few, and their friends fewer, as those nations refuse to back down from actions the world sees as menacing.
