AP: The Obama administration said Monday it has imposed sanctions on companies in North Korea, China and Iran for violating U.S. law aimed at stopping the spread of missiles and other weapons technology.
US targets Chinese, Iranian, NKorean firms
Hamas chief urges Iran students to help liberate Jerusalem
AFP: Hamas political supremo Khaled Meshaal on Monday urged Iranian students to join the Palestinian Islamist movement in helping to liberate Jerusalem so they can "pray together" in the holy city.
Clinton to discuss Iran, Afghanistan with top allies
AFP: Hillary Clinton will seek allied support for Afghanistan and Iran when she receives her British and German counterparts on Tuesday, in her first high-level meetings since becoming secretary of state two weeks ago.
Iran defiant on nuclear programme ahead of key meeting
AFP: Iran remained defiant over its nuclear programme on Monday as representatives of six major powers prepare to meet in Germany this week to look at ways of persuading it to curb its atomic ambitions.
Senior Iranian denies held “back-channel” U.S. talks
Reuters: A senior aide to Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denied on Monday a U.S. report that he had held "back-channel" talks with American representatives, Iranian state television said.
Senior Democrat snubbed by Iran in outreach bid
Wall Street Journal: The chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs tried to meet a top aide to Iran's supreme leader in mid-December but was rebuffed at the last minute, a snub that illustrates the challenges to dialogue with Tehran pushed by President Barack Obama.
Iraqi election hints of troubles for Shiite giant
AP: The biggest Shiite party in Iraq once appeared to hold all the political sway: control of the heartland, the backing of influential clerics and a foot in the government with ambitions to take full control.
Lawyer: Iran detains women’s rights activist
AP: A lawyer for an Iranian activist says police detained the woman while she was campaigning for equal marriage rights for women.
Obama has begun discreet talks with Iran, Syria
AFP: US President Barack Obama has already used experts within the last few months to hold high-level but discreet talks with both Iran and Syria, organizers of the meetings told AFP.
Iran tells Hamas: Be ready for fresh Israeli attacks
Reuters: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told the Palestinian group Hamas to be prepared for possible fresh Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Sunday.
