AP: The U.N. General Assembly’s human rights committee expressed “deep concern” Thursday about Iran’s use of flogging, stoning and amputations as punishment in an annual review of the rights situation in several countries worldwide.
UN expresses ‘deep concern’ about Iran rights
Iran’s German hostages
Wall Street Journal Europe – REVIEW & OUTLOOK: If having its journalists charged with espionage is what Berlin gets for its “critical dialogue” with Tehran, then maybe it’s time for a tougher line.
Mr. Gates on Iran
Washington Post – Editorial: Part of President Obama’s mantra about Iran has been that “all options are on the table” – meaning he will not rule out military action to stop its attempt to acquire nuclear weapons. So why does Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates keep undercutting the message?
US Navy helps stranded Iranian sailors in Gulf
AP: A U.S. naval ship came to the aid of two stranded Iranian sailors in the early hours of the morning Thursday in the Persian Gulf, providing food and water until the arrival of the Iranian coast guard.
Worm was perfect for sabotaging centrifuges
New York Times: Experts dissecting the computer worm suspected of being aimed at Iran’s nuclear program have determined that it was precisely calibrated in a way that could send nuclear centrifuges wildly out of control.
Nigeria seizes $9.9 mln heroin shipment from Iran
Reuters: Nigeria seized $9.9 million worth of heroin concealed in auto parts shipped from Iran, its anti-drugs agency said on Friday, days after the West African country reported Tehran to the U.N. over an illegal arms seizure.
Iran ‘successfully’ test fires upgraded Soviet-era missile
AFP: Iran has “successfully” test fired an upgraded version of a Soviet-era missile, a commander said in a report on Thursday, after Moscow dropped plans to supply Tehran with S-300 missiles.
Russia tells Iran to keep nuclear drive peaceful
AFP: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev used frank talks Thursday to urge Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to keep his country’s nuclear ambitions peaceful or risk further international isolation.
NATO won’t single out Iran’s missiles, Rasmussen tells FT
Bloomberg: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization won’t point specifically to Iran’s ballistic missiles as a threat when its members meet in Lisbon at the end of the week, the Financial Times reported, citing NATO General- Secretary Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
US says will not probe Inpex energy investments in Iran
AFP: The US State Department said Wednesday that it will not conduct an investigation into investments Japanese firm Inpex Corp. previously made in Iran’s energy sector.
