Reuters: Germany’s foreign minister held “constructive” talks with Iran’s nuclear negotiators on Thursday and urged them to cooperate with the international community to resolve a dispute over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Steinmeier holds ‘constructive’ talks with Iran
China says opposed to U.S. sanctions against Iran
Reuters: China indicated on Friday it opposed the latest U.S. economic sanctions on Iran, warning that what it called rash steps could “complicate” the nuclear standoff with Tehran.
List: Sanctioned Iranian groups, people
AP: Targets of new sanctions against Iran Thursday, according to a government fact sheet:
U.S. plays its unilateral card on Iran sanctions
New York Times: In announcing sweeping new sanctions against an elite unit of the Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran, Bush administration officials took pains to offer assurances on Thursday that at least for now, the United States is not going to war with Iran.
Iran sanctions are meant to prevent war, Bush aides say
Washington Post: In approving far-reaching, new unilateral sanctions against Iran, President Bush signaled yesterday that he intends to pursue a strategy of gradually escalating financial, diplomatic and political pressure on Tehran, aimed not at starting a new war in the Middle East, his advisers said, but at preventing one.
Pentagon chief calls planning for Iran strike “routine”
Reuters: U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday characterized U.S. military planning for a strike on Iran as “routine”.
EU hopes Iran’s new nuclear negotiator won’t complicate talks
AFP: EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said Thursday he hoped the appointment of a new Iranian nuclear negotiator would not complicate talks with Tehran over its disputed nuclear program.
With sanctions US targets Iran’s largest banks
AFP: The United States targeted three of Iran’s largest banks Thursday, cranking up pressure on Tehran for its alleged nuclear weapons drive and terrorist financing.
Iran clamps down on coffee shops
The Guardian: They have become a haven for modern bookworms everywhere – a place to combine a love of the written word with the pleasures of cafe society.
Putin warns against sanctions on Iran
AP: Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Thursday warned strongly against new international sanctions on Iran, saying they would lead to a dead end.
