AFP: Claims by French President Nicolas Sarkozy that Iran is seeking to develop a nuclear weapon are “baseless and far from reality,” Iranian foreign ministry’s spokesman said on Saturday.
Iran rejects as ‘baseless’ Sarkozy nuclear claims
China tells Iranian delegation to return to talks
Reuters: China told a visiting Iranian delegation that returning to nuclear talks was a “top priority,” the Xinhua news agency said on Saturday, in a meeting highlighting Beijing’s efforts to reduce tensions that could threaten its oil supply.
China leader warns Iran not to make nuclear arms
New York Times: Prime Minister Wen Jiabao wrapped up a six-day Middle East tour this week with stronger-than-usual criticism of Iran’s defiance on its nuclear program, and with multibillion-dollar oil deals that would seem to signal less reliance on Tehran for China’s growing energy needs.
U.S. lawmakers moving to tighten screws on Iran
Reuters: The U.S. Senate is looking to strengthen the economic chokehold on Iran with even stricter measures to cripple Tehran’s oil revenues and possibly its shipping in legislation that is expected in the coming weeks.
Report: Iranian currency drops 11 percent, hitting new record low against dollar
AP: Iran’s national currency fell by 11 percent Saturday amid the government’s refusal to sign off on a move to raise bank interest rates, state news agencies reported.
Intervention in Iran ‘would trigger war’: Sarkozy
AFP: French President Nicolas Sarkozy warned Friday that any foreign military intervention against Iran’s nuclear programme would trigger “war and chaos” across the Middle East and beyond.
IAEA rejects Iran accusation over scientist’s killing
Reuters: The U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Friday it did not know an Iranian scientist who was killed last week, rejecting Tehran’s suggestions it may have been partly to blame for his death by leaking information about him.
Agency: Iran shuts down shops selling Barbie dolls
AP: Police have closed down dozens of toy shops for selling Barbie dolls in Iran, part of a decades-long crackdown against “manifestations of Western culture,” the semiofficial Mehr news agency reported Friday.
US, Europe trying to pressure Iran into nuke talks
AP: The United States and its European allies joined Friday in saying they would try to pressure Iran back into nuclear negotiations despite the Islamic republic’s failure after three months to answer the nations’ terms for talks.
Edano: told U.S. that Japan imports of Iran crude falling
Reuters: Japanese Trade Minister Yukio Edano said on Friday he told visiting U.S. officials that Japan’s imports of Iranian crude oil are on the decline, and the trend will continue.
