Bloomberg: Iran needs to invest about $46 billion to upgrade its nine refineries and build seven new ones, Deputy Oil Minister Alireza Zeighami said.
Iran targets $46 billion in refinery investments, Deputy Oil Minister says
Iran’s opposition leader warns rulers could topple
AP: The head of Iran’s opposition warned the country’s hard-line political leaders Monday that they could suffer the same fate as the deposed Shah if they continue to consolidate their grip on power.
EU’s Ashton cautiously welcomes Iran offer of talks
Reuters: European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton welcomed an announcement by Iran on Monday that it would be willing to resume negotiations over a nuclear fuel swap, but said she wanted to see the details first.
Iran raps Germany over asylum for dissidents
Reuters: A senior Iranian legislator accused Germany on Monday of meddling in Iran’s affairs by granting asylum to Iranians who fled the Islamic state after a crackdown on post-election protests.
One year later, future of American hikers in Iran remains unclear
Philadelphia Inquirer: One year ago this week, three Americans trekking in northern Iraq near the Iranian border were arrested and locked up in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison, accused of entering Iran illegally.
Iran delays cuts to energy, consumer goods subsidies
Bloomberg: Iran’s government will cut subsidies for fuel and basic consumer goods in the second half of the new Iranian year that started on March 21, state television reported, citing Welfare Minister Sadegh Mahsouli.
EU adopts new sanctions against Iran
AP: The European Union on Monday formally adopted a package of new sanctions against Iran, targeting the country’s foreign trade, banking and energy sectors.
Iran stoning case lawyer Mohammad Mostafaei’s relatives arrested
The Guardian: The lawyer defending Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani himself faces re-arrest as his wife and brother-in-law are held by Iran authorities
FACTBOX-Tactics adopted by Iran to overcome sanctions
Reuters: Iran, the world’s fifth-largest crude oil exporter and an importer of gasoline, is used to sanctions and has found ways to adapt to them. The following lists some of the tactics Iran can adopt to continue oil trade.
Afghanistan war logs: Iran’s covert operations in Afghanistan
The Guardian: Iran is engaged in an extensive covert campaign to arm, finance, train and equip Taliban insurgents, Afghan warlords allied to al-Qaida and suicide bombers fighting to eject British and western forces from Afghanistan, according to classified US military intelligence reports contained in the war logs.
