Reuters: The United States increased pressure on Iran over its nuclear program on Wednesday by imposing sanctions against its national maritime carrier and 18 affiliates, effectively targeting much of its shipping sector.
U.S. bans dealings with Iranian shipping line
U.S. to discuss new step on Iran under U.N. sanctions
Reuters: The U.S. State and Treasury Departments will hold a 1700 GMT (6 p.m. BST) briefing Wednesday on implementing a U.N. Security Council resolution that imposes sanctions on Iran for failing to curb its nuclear program.
Petraeus’ former deputy returns as Iraq chief
AP: Home barely long enough to knock the Iraq dust off his boots, Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno is returning to Baghdad to command a slowly shrinking force in possibly the final phase of American combat action.
U.S. sees scope for insurance clampdown on Iran
Reuters: The United States is discussing with allies how insurance firms can more rigidly apply sanctions on Iran to step up pressure over its disputed nuclear programme, a senior U.S. Treasury official said on Tuesday.
U.S. says Iran won’t get Russian missile system soon
Reuters: The United States does not expect Iran to receive a Russian air defence system this year, a Pentagon official said on Tuesday of the shield that would make any strike on Tehran's nuclear sites more difficult.
Russia says Iran nuclear plant nearing completion
Reuters: Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant is nearing completion and the start-up of its reactor will soon become "irreversible", the Russian state-owned company that is building the power station said on Tuesday.
Iran in talks with CNPC and ONGC on Caspian
Reuters: Iran is in talks with the Chinese National Petroleum Company (CNPC) and India's Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) to develop oil and gas reserves in the Caspian Sea, Oil Minister Gholamhossein Nozari told Reuters on Tuesday.
Israel attack on Lebanon depends on Iran, Syria: Hezbollah
AFP: Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said any Israeli attack on Lebanon depended on the Iranian nuclear issue and the Israel-Syria talks, in an interview with Iran's state-run television on Monday.
Iranians rally at White House
Washington Times: Several hundred people rallied today in front of the White House to call on the U.S. military not to hand over control to the Iraqi government of a refugee camp that is home to Iranian dissidents.
Iran nuclear reactor launch ‘irreversible’ by February: report
AFP: The start-up of the first reactor at Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant will be "irreversible" by February next year, a senior Russian nuclear official was quoted by ITAR-TASS news agency as saying Monday.
