Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, May 24 Irans Defence Minister issued a stark warning to the Western powers that it would resist and retaliate to any attacks on its soil.
In Brief: Iran DM vows to resist and retaliate against attacks
Ahmadinejad faces backlash over plans for petrol rationing
The Guardian: Iran is to introduce petrol rationing in two weeks in a move that belies its status as the world’s fourth-largest oil exporter and threatens to trigger a popular backlash against its president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
US intel warned of Iran, al-Qaida gains
AP: U.S. intelligence agencies warned senior members of the Bush administration in early 2003 that invading Iraq could create internal conflict that would give Iran and al-Qaida new opportunities to expand their influence, according to an upcoming Senate report.
Analysts say sanctions affecting Iran
AP: U.S. sanctions against Iran have caused damage to the country’s economy, Iranian business leaders and analysts say, even as the U.N. Security Council prepares to consider additional measures to force Iran to curb its nuclear program.
Oil surges above $71 to 9-month high on Iran
Reuters: Oil climbed above $71 to a nine-month high on Thursday after a report by the United Nations’ nuclear agency opened the way to tougher sanctions against the world’s fourth biggest crude exporter.
World powers weigh options against Iran
AP: Experts from the United States and five other powers leading efforts to rein in Iran’s nuclear program plan to meet within the week following a U.N. report that Tehran has expanded its uranium enrichment program.
Iran still defying UN over uranium enrichment: IAEA
AFP: Iran persists in defying UN demands to stop enriching uranium and is expanding the work, the UN nuclear watchdog said in a report Wednesday that could open the door to new sanctions against Tehran.
Iran detains fourth Iranian American
Reuters: Iran has imprisoned an Iranian American affiliated with George Soros’ Open Society Institute, the foundation said on Wednesday, marking the fourth dual citizen to be detained in Iran in recent months.
Navy launches show of force near Iran
AP: Ships packed with 17,000 sailors and Marines moved into the Persian Gulf on Wednesday as the U.S. Navy staged another show of force off Iran’s coast just days before U.S.-Iran talks in Baghdad.
Major powers to insist Iran stop atomic work: U.S.
Reuters: The major world powers will insist Iran halts all nuclear enrichment and rejects a compromise put forward by the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said on Wednesday.
