AFP: Iran is likely to use this year's elections in Iraq to try and extend its influence over the country even as it trains, funds and arms militant groups intent on destabilizing Iraq, the Pentagon said Tuesday.
Iran to seek influence through Iraq elections: Pentagon
Clinton promises to use ‘smart power’ on Iran issue
Bloomberg: Secretary of State nominee Hillary Clinton pledged to use American “smart power” to renew the nation’s international leadership, wielding diplomacy as the main tool in dealing with trouble spots from Iran to Russia.
Iran judiciary confirms men stoned to death for adultery
AFP: Iran's judiciary on Tuesday confirmed that two men had been stoned to death for adultery in the northeastern city of Mashhad while a third struggled from the stoning hole and escaped with his life.
Emirates Telecom to pay $402 mln for Iran licence
Reuters: Emirates Telecommunications Corp (Etisalat) said on Tuesday a consortium it is part of would pay 300 million euros ($402.1 million) to acquire a mobile phone licence in Iran and was in talks to buy an operator in Iraq.
Iran gives Hamas enthusiastic support, but discreetly, just in case
New York Times: Late last month, Iran’s supreme religious leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declared that anyone killed defending Palestinians in the Gaza Strip would be rewarded in heaven as a martyr. Young men began lining up — 70,000 in all — to go off and die.
Iran arrests four students for ‘insulting authorities’
AFP: Four Iranian students have been arrested on charges of offending the Islamic republic's authorities in the southern city of Shiraz, local press reported on Monday.
Bush backs Israel, says Iran dangerous
AP: President George W. Bush on Monday renewed his support for Israel's military operations in Gaza, saying it has the right to defend its citizens from Hamas rocket attacks.
U.S. probes European banks over Iran violations-FT
Reuters: A U.S. investigation into potential sanctions violations has expanded to involve nine European banks, the Financial Times said.
Tehran’s strip club
Wall Street Journal – REVIEW & OUTLOOK: The announcement late Friday that Lloyds bank has admitted to illegally transferring Iranian money into the U.S. deserves more public attention.
Iran tells Obama: Don’t repeat false U.S. charges
Reuters: Iran called on U.S. President-elect Barack Obama on Monday not to repeat what it said were false accusations levelled against the Islamic Republic by the outgoing administration in Washington.
