AFP: The European Union is preparing to target a Syrian commercial bank and 29 Iranians accused of human rights violations in fresh sanctions to be announced in the coming days, EU diplomats said Thursday.
New EU sanctions to hit Syria commercial bank, 29 Iranians
Analysis: Iran’s biggest financial scam weakens Ahmadinejad
Reuters: Iranian hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose campaign pledge was to combat corruption, is facing a fresh political blow over the biggest financial scandal in Iran’s history.
Iran intimidates relatives of British-based journalists: BBC
AFP: Iranian authorities have launched a campaign of intimidation against relatives and friends of British-based Iranian journalists working for the BBC, the broadcaster said on Wednesday.
EU moves towards further sanctions on Syria, Iran
Reuters: The European Union is set next week to consider blacklisting the Syrian central bank as well as imposing sanctions against more Iranian individuals, according to sources on Wednesday familiar with the situation.
India says agrees on trade mechanism with Iran
Reuters: India and Iran have agreed on a mechanism to ensure smooth goods trade flows, including payments to Indian exporters, the Indian finance ministry said on Wednesday.
Ex-U.N. inspector sees no Iran atom bomb before 2013
Reuters: Iran is unlikely to be able to make atomic bombs before 2013, a former senior official of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Wednesday, dismissing suggestions it could happen in months if Tehran decided to pursue such mass-destruction weaponry.
Iran cinemas threaten to close over financial woe
Reuters: Iran’s cinema owners have threatened to close their movie houses to protest against costs that have soared since energy subsidies were slashed last year, sending a highly visible message of opposition to the government’s key economic policy.
Texas nuclear physics student on trial in Iran
Reuters: An Iranian studying nuclear physics in the United States went on trial in Tehran on Tuesday for having contact with “hostile countries,” his lawyer said.
Iran criticizes Turkey over missile defense shield
AP: Iran criticized Turkey on Tuesday for agreeing to allow NATO to station an early warning radar in the southeast of the country that will serve as part of the alliance’s missile defense system.
Iran supreme leader urges restraint over bank scam
AFP: Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday called on politicians and the media to refrain from “making a fuss” over a $2.6 billion banking scam, state television reported.
