Reuters: China effectively rejected Iran’s invite to tour Tehran’s nuclear facilities on Thursday, potentially smoothing a source of friction ahead of President Hu Jintao’s state visit to the United States next week.
China effectively rejects Iran nuclear invite
US sanctions Hong Kong shippers over Iran trade
AFP: The US Treasury Thursday slapped sanctions on 24 shipping companies, including 20 in Hong Kong, for allegedly operating as fronts for Iranian businesses involved in Tehran’s missile programs.
EU to bring up nuclear issue despite Iran refusal
AFP: EU chief diplomat Catherine Ashton plans to bring up the nuclear controversy with Iran in international talks in Istanbul next week despite Tehran’s refusal, her spokeswoman said Thursday.
13 men hanged in Iran
Iran Focus: Tehran, Jan. 13 – Iranian authorities on Thursday hanged five men in Khoramabad, western Iran, a day after hanging eight others in the capital Tehran.
Iran announces new satellite launch plan
CNN: Iran is planning to launch a new satellite into orbit by the end of March, according to the country’s semi-official Fars News Agency.
India’s ONGC sees more delay in Iran South Pars deal
Reuters: Difficulties in securing funding will delay India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) finalising a deal to take a 40 percent stake in Iran’s South Pars Phase 12 gas project, a source at the state-run oil explorer said on Wednesday.
India confident of settling payment row with Iran
Reuters: India expects a dispute with Iran over payment for crude oil to be settled as early as next week, ending a deadlock that has threatened to stall supplies from the Middle Eastern nation.
Azerbaijan to boost gas supplies to Iran
Reuters: Ajerbaijan will more than double gas supplies to Iran to 1 billion cubic metres per year under a five-year deal signed on Wednesday, Azeri state energy firm SOCAR said.
China, Iran officials discuss nuclear issue
Reuters: A senior Iranian official and top Chinese diplomats met to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme on Wednesday, but there was no immediate sign China would accept or decline an invite to tour that country’s nuclear facilities.
Iran says talks could be West’s “last chance”: report
Reuters: Talks between Iran and major powers concerned about its nuclear program to be held in Turkey next week could be the “last chance” for the West, a senior Iranian official was quoted as saying on Wednesday.
