New York Sun: The French foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner, yesterday called on the director of the U.N. watchdog, Mohamed ElBaradei, to “listen” to Western powers before presenting a much-awaited latest report on Iran. The diplomatic message from one of the toughest Security Council critics of Iran increased pressure on the chief nuclear inspector to toughen up his policies, which are now reportedly being criticized even inside his own agency.
French minister to IAEA chief: Listen to the West
Iranians scheme to elude sanctions
Wall Street Journal: Tough sanctions haven’t brought Iran to its knees, but they’re rewriting how business is done in the Middle East’s second-largest economy. After several rounds of United Nations and U.S. economic and banking restrictions, Iranian businesses are starting to feel the pain.
RPT-Soccer-Iran opposed to Clemente commute plans
Reuters: Iran’s soccer federation has rejected a suggestion by prospective new coach Javier Clemente that he would commute to the Islamic Republic from his native Spain, casting doubt on his chances of landing the job.
U.N. Iran sanctions vote not ready yet -diplomats
Reuters: The U.N. Security Council will probably not vote on a third sanctions resolution targeting Iran’s atomic program until after a key report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog is issued, diplomats said on Tuesday.
The US troop surge, a year later
AP: A year ago in Baghdad: Shiite militiamen and Sunni insurgents owned entire neighborhoods and key areas beyond. Iraq’s government was adrift, and U.S. commanders weighed the real possibility of being trapped in a full-scale civil war.
Iran clarifies bomb-grade uranium traces to IAEA
Reuters: A pending U.N. watchdog report will say Iran has resolved questions about traces of bomb-grade uranium found at atomic research sites, moving an inquiry into Tehran’s nuclear past towards completion, diplomats said.
Iran: Young Beluchi journalist condemned to death
AKI: Yaghoub Mehrnahad, a student and journalist from the Beluchi ethnic group, is the latest person to be condemned to death in Iran.
Bush accuses Iran, Syria of undermining Lebanon
AFP: US President George W. Bush expressed concern on Tuesday at what he said were efforts by Iran and Syria to undermine crisis-hit Lebanon’s institutions through “violence and intimidation.”
Gulf Arabs see Israel stopping Iran bomb
Reuters: Gulf states believe Israel will destroy Iran’s nuclear programme rather than allow it to acquire an atomic bomb, an adviser to the Kuwaiti government and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) said on Tuesday.
Iran suggests formation of new Middle Eastern Parliament
Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Feb. 12 Iran suggested on Tuesday that a new Parliament be formed to group much of the Middle East and Southern Asia, operating much like the 27-nation European Parliament does today.
