UPI: Increasing pressure on Iran’s energy sector is a way to coerce the regime in Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitions, a U.S. Senate banking committee said.
U.S. hits hard at Iran’s energy sector
Iran reports launch of small satellite into orbit
AP: Iran successfully launched a new small satellite into orbit early Friday, state media reported, the latest in the country’s ambitious space program that has raised concerns because if its possible military applications.
Iran: Stop holding reporters’ relatives hostage
Reuters: The Iranian government has been intimidating and detaining relatives and friends of foreign-based Persian-language journalists to obtain information or silence them.
Panetta says Israel could strike Iran in spring: report
AFP: US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta believes there is a “strong possibility” that Israel will strike Iran’s nuclear installations this spring, the Washington Post said Thursday in an editorial.
US Senate panel adopts new Iran sanctions
AFP: A key US Senate panel adopted a sweeping package of tough new sanctions Thursday aimed at forcing Iran to freeze its suspect nuclear program amid escalating worries of a military confrontation.
Iran-Turkey ties under increasing strain from Mideast Sunni-Shiite divide
Bloomberg: Turkey’s ties with Iran are under growing strain as the countries split on sectarian lines over Middle East conflicts, depriving the Islamic republic of an ally against western nuclear pressure.
Iran blocks U.N. nuclear team
WSJ: Iran denied United Nations inspectors access to a suspected nuclear site, scientists and documents during a visit to Tehran this week, dimming already scant hopes for a breakthrough to end a standoff over Iran’s nuclear work, according to diplomats briefed on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s mission.
UK’s Clegg fears military conflict with Iran
AP: Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said Thursday he has concerns there could be a military conflict with Iran over its disputed nuclear program.
Don’t fall for Persian fairy tales in IAEA’s Iran talks: View
Bloomberg: The International Atomic Energy Agency has wrapped up its visit to Iran, with its chief inspector, Herman Nackaerts, saying “we had a good trip” and announcing plans for another “in the very near future.”
Iranian president proposes tightened budget amidmounting sanctions
WSJ: Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday submitted a budget that will cut spending by 5.6%, seeking to reduce the country’s reliance on oil as it faces potentially stifling new sanctions.
