AFP: The United States on Thursday hit Iran’s police, Revolutionary Guard and the Basij militia with sanctions for “serious” rights abuses, ratcheting up pressure on the regime amid upheaval in the Islamic world.
US hits Iranian security forces for rights abuses
Iran devalues rial by 11 percent to spur domestic demand
AP: The Iranian currency, the rial, was devalued by 11 percent on Wednesday as the government tries to liberalize its economy and curb imports.
EU ‘concerned’ over Iran uranium enrichment plans
AFP: The European Union expressed concern here Wednesday over Iran’s plans to triple its capacity to purify uranium, in defiance of multiple UN sanctions.
US: Iran move on uranium ‘provocative’
AFP: The United States warned on Wednesday that Iran’s decision to triple its capacity to purify uranium and to move the process to a secretive plant was “provocative” and asked Tehran to reconsider.
Iran to triple capacity to enrich 20% uranium
AFP: Iran plans to triple its capacity to purify uranium later this year when it transfers the work from the central city of Natanz to the Fordo site, the country’s nuclear chief said on Wednesday.
Japan banks unlikely to settle India-Iran oil payments
Reuters: Japan is unlikely to allow India to use Japanese banks to provide a clearing house mechanism for India to pay for Iranian oil imports, Japan’s deputy foreign minister told Reuters on Tuesday.
Iran inflation acelerates to 14.2% in May, Central Bank says
Bloomberg: Iran’s inflation accelerated to 14.2 percent in the 12 months through the Iranian month of Ordibehesht, which ended May 21st, from 13.2 percent in the previous month, according to data published on the central bank’s website.
US plans to sabotage Pakistan nuke facilities: Iran
AFP: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday accused Washington, Tehran’s arch-foe, of planning to sabotage Pakistan’s nuclear facilities, during a media conference in Tehran.
Taiwan, China runners drugged in Iran: report
AFP: Three marathon runners from Taiwan and China allegedly had their drinking water spiked with “date rape drug” Rohypnol while in Iran, their team and Taiwanese media said Tuesday.
U.S. to press Japan, South Korea on Iran sanctions
Reuters: A top Treasury Department official is set to travel to Japan and South Korea this week to encourage tough implementation of international sanctions aimed at Iran’s nuclear program.
