New York Times: President Obama on Thursday signed into law new unilateral American sanctions on Iran that go beyond the penalties imposed by the United Nations last month as he tries to escalate the pressure on Tehran to halt its nuclear enrichment program.
Obama signs into law tighter sanctions on Iran
US voices concern over Syria-Iran ties
AFP: The United States voiced concern Thursday over cooperation between Syria and Iran after reports Tehran had sent a radar system that would boost defenses against Israel.
U.S. adds its own sanctions on Iran
Wall Street Journal: President Barack Obama signed into law new sanctions on Iran that, for the first time, will bar from the American market foreign companies that work with Iranian businesses charged with aiding Tehran’s nuclear program and the suppression of democracy.
Activists continue protests in Tehran
Iran Focus: Tehran, Jul. 02 – From the Grapevine… A political graffiti campaign in Tehran is continuing ahead of the 9 July student-led uprising anniversary.
Iran: Sanctions do not ban S-300 Russian missiles
AP: A senior Iranian official says new U.N. sanctions would not prevent Russia from delivering sophisticated air defense missiles to Iran as agreed under a 2007 contract.
S.Korea GS E&C says scraps $1.2 bln Iran gas deal
Reuters: South Korea’s GS Engineering & Construction (GS E&C) said on Thursday that it has called off a 1.42 trillion won ($1.2 billion) gas project in Iran following sanctions on the Middle East nation.
Iran leader to visit Nigeria as it takes UN post
AP: An Iranian diplomat in Nigeria says President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will visit this weekend as the West African nation assumes the rotating presidency of the United Nations’ security council.
FACTBOX-Key political risks to watch in Iran
Reuters: Iran’s escalating nuclear dispute with the West and a plan to slash food and fuel subsidies will further test the nerve and authority of hardline leaders who dealt sternly with unrest after last year’s disputed election.
Top UN nuclear inspector Olli Heinonen resigns
AP: The International Atomic Energy Agency said Thursday that its senior and key nuclear inspector, Olli Heinonen, will be leaving his post at the end of August.
Nuclear show goes on, Iran tells Security Council members
AFP: Iran has written to the 15 members of the UN Security Council insisting that new sanctions slapped on the Islamic republic will not affect its nuclear programme, the state news agency said on Thursday.
