New York Times: Adm. William J. Fallon, the commander of American forces in the Middle East whose outspoken public statements on Iran and other issues had seemed to put him at odds with the Bush administration, is retiring early, the Pentagon announced Tuesday.
Mideast commander retires after rankling bosses
US: Syria, Iran back foreign fighters
AP: Despite increased counterterrorism efforts by Damascus, as much as 90 percent of the foreign fighters in Iraq cross the border from Syria, according to a Pentagon report that says Iran’s support for Shiite militants also is hurting efforts to improve Iraq security.
Gay teenager faces return to Iran after Dutch ruling
The Independent: A gay teenager who claims he faces the death penalty in Iran after his boyfriend was executed there two years ago has spoken of his anger and disappointment at losing his legal battle against deportation.
Fallon didn’t get it
Los Angeles Times: To see why Tuesday’s “retirement” of Navy Adm. William “Fox” Fallon as head of U.S. Central Command is good news, all you have to do is look at the Esquire profile that brought about his downfall.
Iran, Vietnam sign $115 mln oilfield deal – IRNA
Reuters: Iran’s state oil firm and Vietnamese oil group Petrovietnam signed a $115 million deal for the exploration of the Islamic state’s southwestern Danan oilfield on Wednesday, the official IRNA news agency said.
Iranian woman looks to flee after years of battling regime
Toronto Star: Soroya Malekzadeh wanted to test Iran’s claim to being an open democracy, so she submitted her nomination papers to be a candidate for this month’s parliamentary elections.
Russian FM calls for talks with Iran on nuclear issue
AFP: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday urged the international community to do “everything possible” to engage Iran in negotiations over its contested nuclear programme.
Indonesia urges Iran to step up U.N. nuke contacts
Reuters: Indonesia called on Iran on Tuesday to increase its cooperation with a U.N. nuclear watchdog to avoid further confrontation over its atomic programme.
Top U.S. Mideast commander quits after Iran article
Reuters: Adm. William Fallon, the top U.S. commander for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, announced his retirement on Tuesday citing what he called false reports of big differences between him and the Bush administration over Iran.
Iran summons Slovenias envoy in Tehran
Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Mar. 11 – Irans Foreign Ministry summoned Slovenias charge daffair Matjaz Puc to convey its anger at what it called violations of religious sanctities in the European Union, state media reported on Monday.
