BBC: Six men, including a Kuwaiti soldier, and one woman have gone on trial in Kuwait accused of spying for Iran.
Iran ‘spying trial’ opens in Kuwait
Iran minister visits China for refinery investment
Reuters: Iran’s oil minister will travel to China on Wednesday to seek investment in new oil refineries, the oil ministry news website SHANA reported on Tuesday.
Iran feels sanctions heat at UAE ports
Reuters: Ships carrying petroleum to Iran face greater scrutiny at ports in the United Arab Emirates as new western sanctions bite leaving the Islamic Republic to seek alternative hubs, trade and shipping sources say.
Iran officials slam US admiral’s attack plan remarks
AFP: Iranian officials lashed out on Tuesday at remarks by the top US military chief that Washington had a plan to attack Tehran, saying the US would suffer a defeat worse than in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Iraq commitment
Wall Street Journal – REVIEW & OUTLOOK: President Obama yesterday declared “a responsible end” to the Iraq war with the close of U.S. combat operations on August 31. It’s a taste of wartime success for the President, but it does not mean an end to America’s commitment to Iraq.
Iran rejects Brazil asylum for woman facing stoning
Reuters: Iran on Tuesday rejected an offer by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to give asylum to an Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
Brazil’s plea for asylum for Iranian facing stoning seems to fail
New York Times: Iran’s conservative establishment appears to have reacted coldly to an entreaty by Brazil’s president to allow an Iranian woman convicted of adultery to take asylum in Brazil rather than face execution by stoning at home.
US imposes sanctions on 21 ‘Iran-backed’ firms
AFP: The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on 21 firms it believes are front companies for the Iranian government, stepping up pressure on the Islamic republic over its nuclear program.
US lawmaker calls for sanctions on China, Russia
AFP: The United States should immediately impose sanctions on Russia and China under a US law that punishes major investments in Iran’s energy sector, a senior US lawmaker said Monday.
Dissident guards forced to retire in Isfahan
Iran Focus: Isfahan, Aug. 03 – From the Grapevine… Since early July, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in the central Iranian city of Isfahan has forced many veteran IRGC officers to retire or relocate to non-military posts in ministries, such as the Post and Telegraph or Agriculture.
