Bloomberg: Oman’s plan to build a $1 billion natural-gas pipeline from Iran is the latest sign that Saudi Arabia is failing to bind its smaller Gulf neighbors into a tighter bloc united in hostility to the Islamic Republic.
Oman fights Saudi bid for gulf hegemony with Iran pipeline plan
Iran claims expertise in deepwater exploration
UPI: Iran is the only member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries that has expertise in deepwater oil and gas exploration, Ali Osouli, director of the Khazar Exploration and Production Co. in Iran, said.
Families of Iran prisoners stage protest outside parliament
Reuters: Families of Iranian prisoners charged with political offences demonstrated outside parliament in Tehran on Sunday to protest at what they said was violent treatment of their relatives at the Evin prison, the Iranian Students’ News Agency reported.
Report: Next Iran nuclear talks to be in New York
AP: Iran’s state news agency is reporting that the next round of expert-level talks over its contested nuclear program will be held in New York. The report Sunday by the official ISNA news agency quotes Iran’s senior nuclear negotiator Abbas Araghchi.
Ghana company says U.S. plane seen in Tehran broke no laws
Reuters: A U.S.-flagged plane which landed at an airport in the Iranian capital Tehran last week was carrying business executives from Ghana and did not flout international laws, according to the mining firm which leased it.
Iran rape victim bound for gallows unless she changes story
The Telegraph: An Iranian rape victim has been offered the option of avoiding the gallows if she complies with terms for forgiveness set by the son of the predator she murdered. Morteza Abdolali Sarbandi, an Iranian intelligence agent, was killed by Reyhaneh Jabbari after she was lured to flat to undertake interior design work but sexually abused.
Iran says it would redesign heavy-water reactor as concession to west
AP: Iran will redesign its Arak heavy water reactor to greatly limit the amount of plutonium it can make, the country’s vice president said on Saturday, marking a major concession from the Islamic Republic in negotiations with world powers over its contested nuclear program.
Iran denounces US ruling to sell property
AP: Iran has condemned a ruling issued by a U.S. federal judge approving plans to sell a 36-story Manhattan office building and other properties owned by Iran nationwide in what will be the largest terrorism-related forfeiture ever.
Iran says plane at airport leased to Ghana after U.S.-flagged plane sighting
Reuters: Iran says that a plane which landed in Tehran airport flying the American flag was leased to Ghana’s presidential office and carrying a business delegation from the West African nation. A plane owned by the Bank of Utah was parked in Mehrabad Airport in Tehran on Tuesday.
Iran general urges Tehran to make new UN pick
AP: A senior Iranian military official has urged the foreign ministry to name a new envoy to the U.N. after the U.S. blocked its chosen ambassador over alleged ties to the 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.
