AFP: A French campaign to stop the stoning to death of an Iranian woman convicted of adultery intensified Thursday after President Nicolas Sarkozy added his support.
France ups campaign to stop Iran woman stoning
Reports: Iran bars local coverage of opposition
AP: Iranian media have been prohibited from mentioning opposition leaders, including former President Mohammad Khatami, under a purported media directive that would further strengthen the government’s grip over the remaining news outlets.
US leaves behind murky picture in Iraq
AFP: US combat troops pulling out of Iraq can claim the ouster of a brutal dictator as a clear success but otherwise leave behind unresolved questions about democracy, terror and neighboring Iran’s power.
Series of attacks hits Iraq cities
Wall Street Journal: At least 55 people were killed in about two dozen bombings and shootings, most of them targeting police, across Iraq on Wednesday, a day after the U.S. said it had met an end-of-month deadline for the withdrawal of combat forces.
Iran offers joint nuclear fuel production with Russia
AFP: Iran has made a proposal to Moscow to jointly produce nuclear fuel for its Russian-built Bushehr plant and future facilities, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation was quoted as saying Thursday.
Iran has material for 1-2 atom bombs–ex-IAEA aide
Reuters: Iran has stockpiled enough low-enriched uranium for 1-2 nuclear arms but it would not make sense for it to cross the bomb-making threshold with only this amount, a former top U.N. nuclear official was quoted as saying.
France’s Sarkozy warns Iran on failure of nuclear talks
Reuters: French President Nicolas Sarkozy told Iran on Wednesday that failure to reach a credible agreement over its nuclear program would force world powers to mobilize to protect threatened states in the region.
Iran willing to give military aid to Lebanese army, Vahidi says
Bloomberg: Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said his country is willing to provide military help to Lebanon, a day after Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah called on the Lebanese army to seek Iran’s support.
LyondellBasell will quit Iran
Wall Street Journal: LyondellBasell Industries NV, one of the world’s biggest plastic and chemical producers, will end its business operations in Iran to shield itself against penalties the U.S. could soon impose on companies for violating trade sanctions.
Iran says has no problem securing gasoline imports
Reuters: Iran denied on Wednesday reports that sanctions are making it harder to import gasoline, one of the most vulnerable parts of the Iranian economy, which lacks sufficient domestic refining capacity.
