Reuters: Royal Dutch Shell said it had signed a preliminary deal to develop a major Iranian gas field in conjunction with Spain’s Repsol, despite growing U.S. pressure not to invest in Iran.
Shell says signs Iran upstream deal
U.S.: Iran giving weapons to kill troops
AP: Deeply distrustful of Iran, the White House expressed skepticism Monday about Tehran’s plans to greatly expand its economic and military ties with Iraq, where the United States has accused Iran of supporting terrorism and supplying weapons to kill American forces.
Oil rises on US cold snap, renewed Iran tensions
Reuters: Oil rose towards $56 a barrel on Monday, supported by a cold snap in top consumer the United States and political tensions in Iran.
Russia vows to keep schedule for Iran nuclear plant
AFP: Russia’s security chief Igor Ivanov vowed to launch Iran’s nuclear plant on schedule in September after talks in Tehran on Sunday with leaders of the Islamic republic.
Iran and Syria blamed for Palestinian war
UPI: Palestinian Authority officials accuse Iran and Syria of pushing the Palestinians toward a civil war, with Hamas taking orders from Tehran and Damascus.
Iranian reveals plan to expand role in Iraq
New York Times: Irans ambassador to Baghdad outlined an ambitious plan on Sunday to greatly expand its economic and military ties with Iraq including an Iranian national bank branch in the heart of the capital just as the Bush administration has been warning the Iranians to stop meddling in Iraqi affairs.
Egypt press blames Iran for murder of diplomat
AFP: Iranian intelligence services were responsible for kidnapping and killing Egypt’s top diplomat in Iraq two years ago, the state-owned flagship daily Al-Ahram reported Sunday.
Cheney: U.S. carrier to Gulf sends “strong signal”
Reuters: By deploying a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf the United States has sent a “strong signal” that it is in the region to stay and working with allies to deal with an Iranian threat, Vice President Dick Cheney said.
Russias security chief arrives in Iran capital for talks
Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Jan. 28 Russias security chief Igor Ivanov arrived in Tehran late on Saturday for two days of talks with Iranian officials, the official news agency IRNA reported on Sunday.
Russias security chief arrives in Iran capital for talks
Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Jan. 28 Russias security chief Igor Ivanov arrived in Tehran late on Saturday for two days of talks with Iranian officials, the official news agency IRNA reported on Sunday.
