AP: A charity based in Portland and its founder have pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges involving an alleged violation of a U.S. embargo against Iran.
Oregon charity, man plead guilty in Iran embargo
Ashton to visit Turkey ahead of Iran nuke talks
AFP: EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will visit Turkey this week for preparations ahead of nuclear talks between Iran and world powers, the Turkish foreign ministry said Tuesday.
Clinton asks Arabs to help undermine Iran’s nuclear plans
Washington Post: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton lobbied Arab governments on Monday to help tighten the screws on their Iranian neighbor, saying that sanctions and other measures are hurting Tehran and undermining its ability to acquire components for its nuclear program.
Brazilian author Coelho says Iran bans his books
Reuters: Prominent Brazilian author Paulo Coelho said on Monday that the sale of his books had been banned in Iran and he appealed to his country’s government to intervene.
U.S. citizen said held in Iran is safe in Turkey: U.S.
Reuters: A U.S. citizen reported by Iranian news organizations to have been detained in Iran is safe and in Turkey, the U.S. State Department said on Monday but declined to name her or to say if she was ever in Iran.
MEK is not a terrorist group
National Review Online – By Michael B. Mukasey, Tom Ridge, Rudolph W. Giuliani, and Frances Fragos Townsend: The material-support statute is fine; the designation is the problem.
Clinton urges Gulf states to maintain Iran sanctions
New York Times: The Obama administration is working to keep up the pressure on Iran from its neighbors in the Persian Gulf, despite new reports suggesting that a combination of sanctions and sabotage may have delayed by several years Iran’s ability to produce a nuclear bomb.
Pentagon must sharpen Iran strategy to counter arms buildup, Congress says
Bloomberg: Congress is demanding that the Pentagon prepare a “national military strategic plan” for countering Iran’s nuclear and conventional arms build-up, and to brief lawmakers on it.
Afghans strained by shortages as Iran tightens flow of fuel
New York Times: The price of fuel has risen sharply in parts of Afghanistan as an Iranian-imposed slowdown on tanker traffic at key border crossings has stretched into its second month, Afghan officials say.
Iran rights lawyer jailed for 11 years: family
AFP: Prominent Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has been sentenced to 11 years in jail and banned for 20 years from working as an attorney and leaving the country, her husband told AFP on Monday.
