Bloomberg: The Obama administration and arms control specialists in Washington downplayed Iran’s claim of a “major” nuclear breakthrough as an exaggeration to bolster nationalism amid tighter sanctions, not a dangerous step toward an atomic weapon.

Bloomberg: The Obama administration and arms control specialists in Washington downplayed Iran’s claim of a “major” nuclear breakthrough as an exaggeration to bolster nationalism amid tighter sanctions, not a dangerous step toward an atomic weapon.

BBC: Iran’s oil ministry has denied state media reports saying it had stopped oil exports to six European countries in retaliation for the EU’s oil embargo.

AP: A State Department official says Iran and Russia are providing weapons to Syria that could be used against anti-government protesters.

AP: The White House says Iran is lashing out at the world to “distract attention” from the damage that international sanctions are having at home.

AFP: Tensions over Iran rose several notches on Wednesday following a series of suspected bomb plots against Israeli diplomats in different countries, and ahead of an expected announcement on Tehran’s nuclear progress.

New York Times: We’ve unearthed this cable from the Wikileaks archive of diplomatic correspondence from the United States Embassy in New Delhi, dated August 4, 2006 which alleges there was an active Iranian influence in Uttar Pradesh in the wake of heavy attacks that summer by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon.

AP: American attempts to get major Asian importers of Iranian oil to rein in their purchases are faltering as allies South Korea and Japan give U.S. officials a polite brushoff. Emerging giants India and China may even increase their purchases, further complicating Washington’s efforts to force Iran to curtail its nuclear program.