Reuters: Iran, under intense Western pressure over its disputed nuclear programme, declared an initial turnout of 65 percent in a parliamentary election shunned by most reformists as a sham.
Iran touts high turnout, Ahmadinejad faction losing
India business team to visit Iran next week
AFP: An Indian trade delegation will travel to Iran next week to explore business openings created by US-led sanctions over the Islamic republic’s disputed nuclear programme, an export group says.
Ahmadinejad’s sister fails to win parliament seat
AP: Iranian semiofficial Mehr news agency is reporting that the sister of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has failed to win a parliamentary seat.
Iran conservatives contest poll for parliament
BBC: Polls have closed in Iran’s parliamentary elections, after being extended by five hours due to high turnout, state media report.
Obama: ‘I don’t bluff’
UPI: President Barack Obama says he will order the U.S. military to destroy Iran’s nuclear program if sanctions don’t prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
In interview, Obama says he’s not bluffing on Iran
AP: President Barack Obama warned that he is not bluffing about attacking Iran if it builds a nuclear weapon, but in an interview published Friday, Obama also cautioned U.S. ally Israel that a premature attack on Iran would do more harm than good.
Iranian ship to unload crude at Shell Singapore
Reuters: An Iranian tanker is moored at Royal Dutch Shell’s Singapore refinery to discharge crude oil, according to Reuters data and sources, highlighting the different approaches European oil companies are taking to Iranian oil ahead of an EU ban.
U.S. should protest conditions at Camp Liberty
UPI: The mullahs ruling Iran have had little reason to be happy with the United Nations in recent weeks, being forced to cope with crippling sanctions because of their pursuit of nuclear weapons and being further isolated by the world community with every passing day.
Japan refiners eye force majeure clause for Iran contracts
Reuters: Japanese buyers of Iran crude may ask Tehran to include a force majeure clause in contracts if they are unable to pay Iran or lift Iranian oil due to lack of insurance cover for tankers under European Union sanctions , industry sources said on Friday.
US House condemns death sentence of Iranian pastor
AFP: The US House of Representatives on Thursday condemned Iran for sentencing an Iranian-born Christian pastor to death, in violation, US lawmakers said, of the “universal human right” of religion.
