Sunday Telegraph: Why have we in the West persecuted exactly those groups that Tehran wants us to, asks Christopher Booker
The future of Iran is waiting for our support
U.S. rules bar banks that violate Iran sanctions
New York Times: The Treasury Department released new regulations on Friday that could bar foreign banks or companies from accessing the financial system in the United States if they did business with entities or people subject to United Nations and United States sanctions.
Five killed as policemen’s bodies set ablaze in Baghdad
AFP: Two policemen were shot dead and their bodies set ablaze at a Baghdad checkpoint on Saturday while two of their colleagues and an anti-Qaeda fighter were also killed, an interior ministry official said.
Kurdish rebels kill Iran militiamen: report
AFP: Kurdish rebels have killed a commander of the elite Revolutionary Guards and two Islamist militiamen in clashes near a northwestern city, a newspaper reported Saturday.
Russians to fuel Iranian reactor
Wall Street Journal: Russia said it would begin loading nuclear fuel into Iran’s Bushehr nuclear-power plant on Aug. 21, marking a crucial final step towards making Tehran a nuclear power.
Iran ready to sell oil in any currency: central bank
AFP: Iran has made arrangements to start selling its oil in any currency rather than just the US dollar, central bank chief Mahmoud Bahmani said in a report on Friday.
Lebanon bans Iranian-made biopic of Christ
AFP: Two Lebanese television networks were banned Friday from showing an Iranian-made biopic on the life of Jesus Christ, officials said after the film sparked outrage among the country’s Christians.
Brazil’s Caixa to fund $1.3 bln in exports to Iran, Valor says
Bloomberg: Brazil’s state-controlled Caixa Economica Federal will finance up to 1 billion euros ($1.3 billion) in beef shipments to Iran after private banks refused to extend credit to exporters, fearing retaliation from the U.S. and European Union, Valor Economico said.
UN expert urges Iran to end US hiker’s solitary confinement
AFP: A UN expert on torture has appealed to Tehran to end the solitary confinement of Sarah Shourd, one of the three US hikers detained without trial for more than a year in Iran, her mother said Friday.
Russia deal shows Iran does not need enrichment: White House
AFP: Iran’s preparation to launch its first nuclear power reactor, built with Russian assistance, shows that Tehran does not need to pursue its controversial plans for uranium enrichment, the White House said Friday.
