AFP: A top US lawmaker vowed Thursday to toughen US sanctions against Iran over its suspect nuclear program and place renewed scrutiny on Russia and China’s economic ties with Tehran.
US must toughen Iran sanctions: Top lawmaker
US defense secretary sees support for Iran sanctions
Reuters: Iran’s neighbors are clearly concerned about Tehran’s “aggressive behavior” and support international sanctions aimed at curbing its nuclear ambitions, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Friday after a week of travel that included stops in two Gulf states.
West eyes tighter Iran sanctions for arms smuggling
AFP: Western nations on Friday accused Iran of stepping up illegal arms trading and made calls for tougher UN sanctions.
US defence chief in Gulf to discuss Iran, Yemen
AFP: US Defence Secretary Robert Gates is meeting on Thursday with Emirati leaders on Iran’s nuclear programme and Al-Qaeda threat in Yemen, as WikiLeaks exposed Gulf Arab fears of the Islamic republic.
Iran security officials arrest four at newspaper
New York Times: Security officials have raided one of Iran’s few remaining independent newspapers, arresting three journalists and a managing director, web sites associated with the political opposition reported Wednesday.
Sakineh photos emerge in Iran without release confirmation
AFP: Photographs were released on Thursday of a Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning while on home leave last week but without any official Iranian confirmation of a report that she had been freed.
A sterile conversation
Washington Post – Editorial: The talks with Iran in Geneva this week appear to have produced little. Delegations from Iran, the United States and its Security Council allies mostly appear to have delivered statements; Iran did not respond substantively to the concerns raised about its nuclear program.
Iran confirms seizure of three ships in Singapore, Arman says
Bloomberg: Three Iranian ships were seized several days ago in Singapore waters in a move linked to financial sanctions against Iran over the country’s nuclear program, Arman reported, citing the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines Managing Director.
Iran reformist arrested, students held
Reuters: A prominent Iranian reformist was arrested on Thursday and five students were reported detained following anti-government protests, in the latest moves against opponents of hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Iran says poor fuel not to blame for choking Tehran
Reuters: Acute air pollution in Tehran cannot be blamed on gasoline produced in an emergency plan to foil sanctions over Iran’s nuclear programme, officials said on Wednesday, instead blaming the weather and domestic heaters.
