Reuters: Oil was steady around $144 a barrel on Monday, holding near last week's record high after Iran reasserted its right to pursue uranium enrichment, keeping alive political tensions in the Middle East and adding to worries about oil supplies.
Oil hovers near $144, Iran sends mixed signals
Oil prices ease after Iran offers talks
AFP: Oil prices eased in Asian trading Monday after Iran offered over the weekend to negotiate on its nuclear drive, dealers said.
Iran will close Strait of Hormuz if attacked, Fars reports
Bloomberg: Iran will close the Strait of Hormuz, through which the bulk of Middle East oil is shipped, if the country is attacked, state-run Fars news agency reported, citing a military commander.
Germ warfare fear over African monkeys taken to Iran
Sunday Times: Hundreds of endangered monkeys are being taken from the African bush and sent to a “secretive” laboratory in Iran for scientific experiments.
Iran says its nuclear policy has not changed
New York Times: Iran’s nuclear policy has not changed, an Iranian government spokesman said Saturday in Tehran, confirming that Iran would not comply with Security Council resolutions requiring it to stop enriching uranium.
US to consult allies before commenting on Iran nuclear response
AFP: The US said Saturday that it would talk with allies before commenting on Tehran's response to a plan from six world powers offering Iran technology and negotiations if it suspends uranium enrichment.
EU’s Solana willing to meet Iran negotiator soon
Reuters: The European Union's foreign policy chief is willing to meet Iran's chief negotiator soon, after Tehran replied to a package of incentives from major powers for it to curb its nuclear programme, an EU spokeswoman said on Saturday.
Iran vows to pursue nuclear work
Reuters: Iran vowed on Saturday to pursue its uranium enrichment programme, a day after delivering its response to an incentives package by world powers trying to curb its nuclear ambitions.
Iranian minister optimistic about EU talks
Reuters: Iran's foreign minister on Sunday expressed optimism about what he said was a "new environment" for talks with major powers over its nuclear program.
Iran indicates it has no plans to halt enrichment
AP: Iran indicated Saturday that it has no plans to meet a key Western demand that it stop enriching uranium, a day after Tehran sent the European Union a response to an international offer of incentives for halting enrichment.
