Reuters: The European Union suspended a travel ban on Iran’s foreign minister at the same time as significantly extending its sanctions against the country this week, an EU spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

AP: Iran scoffed Tuesday at the U.S. and allies using the term hikers to describe three Americans charged with espionage, calling it a “joke” and giving no hint that prosecutors would scale back the accusations.

Reuters: The European Union has targeted more Iranian shipping companies as part of moves to tighten sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic.

Wall Street Journal: European Union foreign ministers agreed to sanction an Iranian-owned bank based in Hamburg that the U.S. says has been at the center of Tehran’s efforts to expand its nuclear program, European officials said.

AFP: A nuclear-armed Iran would be a nightmare scenario marking the death knell of the Arab-Israeli peace process and global non-proliferation efforts, experts said Monday as US lawmakers sought tighter sanctions.

AFP: The United States on Tuesday announced it is imposing sanctions against seven foreign firms — including from Venezuela, Singapore, and Israel — as part of efforts to check Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Reuters: An explosion at an oil refinery in Iran during a visit by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday killed two people and injured 12, the Mehr news agency said.

Reuters: The European Union significantly expanded its sanctions against Iran on Monday, reflecting mounting frustration over a lack of progress in nuclear talks with Tehran, EU diplomats said.