Washington Post: Nearly a week after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad launched a plan to overhaul a long-standing system of state subsidies, Iranians are reeling from drastic government-ordered price increases for staples such as fuel and bread amid signs of growing frustration and anger.
Resentment builds in Iran over price hikes, subsidy overhauls
Forces in Afghanistan face new threat from Iran
Fox News: Coalition forces face a new threat as Iran steps up covert support for terrorist operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, The Times of London reported Friday.
The Iranian hostage crisis
Wall Street Journal – REVIEW & OUTLOOK: Thirty years ago, the national ordeal that was the Iranian hostage crisis lasted 444 days. With far less fanfare, today’s version—the ordeal of two young Americans jailed in Tehran’s Evin prison—has passed its 500-day mark.
Iranian president: ‘Sanctions have always failed’
CNN: After meeting Thursday with Turkey’s president in advance of multinational discussions on Iran’s controversial nuclear program, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he hopes the talks will be productive but stressed that international sanctions “have no impact on Iran’s decision-making process” and “have always failed.”
U.S. approved business with blacklisted nations
New York Times: Despite sanctions and trade embargoes, over the past decade the United States government has allowed American companies to do billions of dollars in business with Iran and other countries blacklisted as state sponsors of terrorism, an examination by The New York Times has found.
Iranian officer captured in Afghanistan: NATO
AFP: A member of the elite al-Quds force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has been captured in southern Afghanistan accused of cross-border weapons smuggling, international forces said Friday.
India c.bank to stop clearing Iran oil payments
Reuters: India’s central bank will no longer help facilitate payments for imports of Iranian crude, a statement from the Reserve Bank of India said.
GOP leaders criticize Obama’s Iran policy in rally for opposition group
Washington Post: A group of prominent U.S. Republicans associated with homeland security told a forum of cheering Iranian exiles here Wednesday that President Obama’s policy toward Iran amounts to futile appeasement that will never persuade Tehran to abandon its nuclear projects.
Hong Kong holds ship linked to Iran firm: report
AFP: Hong Kong has detained a cargo ship linked to an Iranian shipping firm at the centre of new US sanctions aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear and weapons activities, a report said Thursday.
Nigeria grants bail to Iran arms shipment suspect
Reuters: A Nigerian court granted bail on Thursday to an alleged member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, who along with three Nigerians was charged last month with illegally importing arms into the West African country.
