AFP: Britain is neither planning nor advocating military action against Iran over its nuclear programme or its threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, Foreign Secretary William Hague insisted Tuesday.
Britain not seeking military conflict with Iran: Hague
Sanctions against Iran grow tighter, but what’s the next step?
New York Times: As the Obama administration and its European allies toughened economic sanctions against Iran on Monday — blocking its access to the world financial system and undermining its critical oil and gas industry — officials on both sides of the Atlantic acknowledge that their last-ditch effort has only a limited chance of persuading Tehran to abandon what the West fears is its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Iranian adviser accuses Brazil of ruining relations
New York Times: Iran’s efforts to cultivate political support in Latin America at a time of rising international tension over its nuclear program appear to have encountered a significant obstacle: Brazil, the region’s economic powerhouse.
Obama lauds Iran oil embargo as US turns the screw
AFP: US President Barack Obama tightened the noose on Iran’s battered banking system Tuesday and lauded an EU move to choke Tehran’s oil exports, amid evidence that sanctions are beginning to bite.
Iran slams EU oil embargo, warns could hit U.S.
Reuters: Iran accused Europeans on Monday of waging “psychological warfare” after the EU banned imports of Iranian oil, and U.S. President Barack Obama said Washington would impose more sanctions to address the “serious threat presented by Iran’s nuclear program.”
EU adds Iran’s Bank Tejarat to sanctions list
Reuters: The European Union has included Iran’s state-owned Bank Tejarat among entities it is blacklisting to raise pressure on Tehran over its nuclear programme, according to an EU document published on Tuesday.
Iran revives Gulf threats after EU sanctions
AP: Senior Iranian lawmakers stepped up threats Monday that Islamic Republic warships could block the Persian Gulf’s oil tanker traffic after the latest blow by Western leaders seeking to rein in Tehran’s nuclear program: A punishing oil embargo by the European Union that sharply raises the economic stakes for Iran’s defiance.
Geithner, Clinton Say EU Ban on Iran Oil a ‘Strong Step’
Bloomberg: U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the European Union’s agreement to ban oil imports from Iran and to freeze assets of the Iranian central bank are a “strong step” to “dramatically increase the pressure on Iran” and are consistent with steps the U.S. has taken.
US hits Iran’s Bank Tejarat with sanctions
AFP: The US Treasury on Monday announced sanctions against Iran’s Bank Tejarat, claiming all of the Islamic Republic’s major state-owned banks have now been subjected to punitive measures.
Iran steps back from warning on U.S. ships
New York Times: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said Saturday that it considered the likely return of American warships to the Persian Gulf part of routine activity, backing away from previous warnings to Washington not to re-enter the area.
