Reuters: The International Monetary Fund said prospects for Iran's economy were good, but urged the government to act promptly to rein in inflation that is expected at about 25 percent.
IMF urges Iran to act to contain inflation
Will Washington betray anti-regime Iranians?
Jerusalem Post – By Daniel Pipes: As the United Nations mandate that legitimizes the presence of US forces in Iraq expires on December 31, a humanitarian and strategic disaster is coming into view. The fate of about 3,500 anti-regime Iranians will be decided in the course of status-of-forces negotiations between Washington and Baghdad.
EU condemns Iran on death penalty before atom talks
Reuters: The European Union criticised Iran on Friday for a spate of executions and plans to extend the scope of the death penalty, a day before it leads international talks on Tehran's disputed nuclear programme.
Egypt cancels football match with Iran over Sadat film
AFP: The Egyptian Football Association said on Friday that a friendly match with Iran had been cancelled due to tensions over an Iranian film on the assassination of former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat.
Iran calls nuclear talks positive
AP: Iran's Foreign Minister said Friday that forthcoming nuclear talks in Geneva and the participation of a U.S. diplomat for the first time look positive and he expects progress.
Sanctions fail to cripple Iran’s oil industry
Wall Street Journal: As Iran prepares to hold nuclear talks this weekend with Europe and the U.S., economic sanctions are crimping Tehran's oil industry — but they haven't broken it.
U.S. Senate panel approves new Iran sanctions
Reuters: The U.S. Senate Banking Committee overwhelmingly approved a bill on Thursday that would expand trade and economic sanctions in another attempt to prod Iran to step back from suspected nuclear weapons production and alleged support for terrorist activities.
Senior U.S. deal-maker is new Iran envoy
Reuters: He helped steer talks with Libya that led to a resumption of U.S. ties with Tripoli after nearly a quarter century and now senior diplomat William Burns is Washington's main interlocutor with Iran.
U.S. considers opening a diplomatic post in Iran
New York Times: The Bush administration is considering establishing an American diplomatic presence in Iran for the first time since relations were severed during the 444-day occupation of the American Embassy in Tehran nearly three decades ago, European and American officials said on Thursday.
Rice to receive briefing on Iran talks in UAE
AFP: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be briefed on a US-Iran meeting on the nuclear standoff when she stops in the United Arab Emirates on her way to Asia next week, her spokesman said Thursday.
