AFP: Iran and the United States are to launch a new round of talks on the future of war-ravaged Iraq next week in Baghdad, an Iranian official told student news agency ISNA on Saturday.
Iran to hold talks with US on Iraq next week: report
Iran to privatize $90 bln of energy assets: report
Reuters: Iran plans to privatize 47 firms in its energy sector worth $90 billion and set up a holding company for these assets which it will list on four international exchanges, a National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) executive said.
Prominent US senator raps China over Iran trade
AFP: A prominent US senator criticized China on Saturday for weakening international sanctions against Iran by looking to its own interests and increasing trade with Tehran.
Iran envoy defends amputation
Daily Telegraph: Iran’s ambassador to Spain has compared chopping off the hands of thieves to a “surgeon amputating a limb to prevent the spread of gangrene”.
Syria develops new missile with Iran’s aid
UPI: Syria says it has developed, with Iranian help, a surface-to-surface missile that could better target Israeli installations like airports and factories.
U.S. ‘deeply disturbed’ by Iran nuclear reports
Reuters: An Iranian rocket launch and reports that Iran is testing an advanced centrifuge are “deeply disturbing” and strengthen the case for a third U.N. sanctions resolution against Tehran, a top U.S. official said on Friday.
Iran Qods Force infiltrates Iraq
Middle East Times: New information was brought to light Thursday revealing “an overwhelming amount of intelligence indicating a political-military buildup by Tehran’s mullahs, targeting not just the south, but the heart of Iraq.”
US warns Iran over nuclear centrifuges
AFP: A top US envoy warned Iran Friday that its pursuit of more advanced uranium-enriching technology would intensify the long-running international standoff over its disputed atomic drive.
Iran starts second atomic power plant – Tass
Reuters: Iran has started building a second atomic power plant in an oil-rich region near the border with Iraq, Iran’s Ambassador to Russia was quoted as saying on Friday by Itar-Tass news agency.
Correcting the CIA
New York Sun – Editorial: What a difference two months make. On December 3, when the director of national intelligence released an estimate of Iran’s nuclear program that said the Mullahs had suspended its bomb making in 2003, the left could barely contain its glee.
