Reuters: Iran has begun building a line of naval bases along its southern coast and up to the Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the strategic Gulf oil waterway, the Tehran Times quoted an Iranian commander as saying.
Iran building naval bases up to Strait of Hormuz
Iraqis insist on changes to long-delayed security pact with U.S.
New York Times: The Iraqi government demanded changes on Wednesday to the long-delayed security pact with the United States.
Intel says Iran plans secret nuclear experiments
AP: Iran has recently tested ways of recovering highly enriched uranium from waste reactor fuel in a covert bid to expand its nuclear program, according to an intelligence assessment made available to The Associated Press.
Iran media: Lawmaker slaps Ahmadinejad confidant
AP: Iranian news media say a lawmaker has physically assaulted a confidant of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, alleging the official was trying to pay legislators not to vote for the impeachment of the interior minister.
Iran leader signals not time for thaw in U.S. ties
Reuters: Iran's supreme leader said on Wednesday Iranian hatred of the United States ran deep, remarks analysts said signaled an end to any debate about closer links between them days before the U.S. presidential election.
Iranian ships step up precautions in Gulf of Aden
Reuters: Iran's main shipping firm has told its vessels to install barbed wire on their decks and put crew on watch against pirates in the Gulf of Aden, it said on Wednesday.
Iran opens naval base near routes for Gulf oil
New York Times: Iran announced Tuesday that it had opened a naval base in the Gulf of Oman to counter any hostile forces, in what was clearly an allusion to American Navy vessels patrolling nearby.
Iran opens new naval base at mouth of Persian Gulf
The Guardian: Iran yesterday signalled its intention to extend its military presence in the world's most important oil conduit, opening a new naval base at the mouth of the Persian Gulf and adding weight to its threats to choke off oil supplies, if the Islamic Republic came under attack.
Justice: Illegal exports to China, Iran, on rise
AP: Illegal exports of weapons, military equipment and national security-related technology to potentially adversarial nations are on the rise, the Justice Department reported Tuesday.
Sleepless in Tehran
New York Times – By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN: I’ve always been dubious about Barack Obama’s offer to negotiate with Iran — not because I didn’t believe that it was the right strategy, but because I didn’t believe we had enough leverage to succeed.
