Reuters: While President George W. Bush’s trips to Iraq have been brief and surrounded by secrecy, a visit by Iran’s president this weekend is being heralded with much fanfare, raising U.S. concerns it will erode American influence in the region.
ANALYSIS-U.S. eyes Iranian president’s visit to Iraq
Before U.N. vote, Iran says atomic work won’t stop
Reuters: World powers will not prevent Iran from pursuing its nuclear ambitions, the Iranian president said on Friday, a day before a possible vote on a third round of U.N. sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
UN vote on Iran sanctions delayed
AP: Britain and France are delaying a U.N. Security Council vote on new sanctions against Iran until Monday to try to get more support for the resolution.
Mottaki tells UN Iran will continue its nuclear activities
Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Feb. 29 Irans Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki wrote to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemning efforts by the international community to impose further sanctions over the Islamic Republic’s controversial nuclear program, the official news agency IRNA reported on Thursday.
Mottaki tells UN Iran will continue its nuclear activities
Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Feb. 29 Irans Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki wrote to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemning efforts by the international community to impose further sanctions over the Islamic Republic’s controversial nuclear program, the official news agency IRNA reported on Thursday.
U.S. wary of Iran’s growing activity in Iraq
Chicago Tribune: U.S. military officials are voicing increasing concern that Iranian-backed Shiite militants are stepping up their activities in Iraq, as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad prepares to make a historic visit to Baghdad that is expected to reinforce Iran’s expanding influence.
US: IAEA report raises questions on Iran
AP: A new report by the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog raises “very troubling questions” about Iran’s engagement in weapons production and will open a new page in the probe into Tehran’s alleged activities, a senior U.S. official said Thursday.
Iran U.N. sanctions vote seen likely Saturday
Reuters: Western envoys said the U.N. Security Council would probably vote on Saturday to impose a third round of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, which Tehran said would be an illegal gesture to be ignored.
Iran sanctions expected Saturday
AP: Britain and France said Thursday they expect the Security Council to vote Saturday and approve new U.N. sanctions against Iran for refusing to suspend uranium enrichment.
French finance group wary of Iranian banks
New York Times: In a boost to the American-backed effort to isolate Iran, a leading international organization responsible for combating financial crimes called on Thursday for all countries to be wary of Irans banking system because of concerns over money laundering and aid to terrorism.
