Reuters: Iran and Russia have made progress toward an oil-for-goods deal that sources said could be worth up to $20 billion and enable Tehran to boost vital energy exports in defiance of Western sanctions, people familiar with the negotiations told Reuters.
Iran, Russia working to seal $20 billion oil-for-goods deal
Lawmakers push sanctions chief to take more money
Wall Street Journal: Members of the Appropriations Committee expressed concerns that the U.S. Treasury office that pursues sanctions against Iran and North Korea might be stretched too thin, as the administration begins to punish Russia over Ukraine.
Iranians avoid bad luck with outdoor festival
AP: Iranians flocked to parks rich with the smell of grilled kebabs on Wednesday to toss around
Frisbees, bat badminton birdies and battle one another in chess and backgammon – all to avoid being caught inside on the unlucky 13th day of the Persian New Year.
U.S. regulators warn banks about rise in cyber-attacks
Reuters: In 2012, Ally financial Inc, Bank of America Corp, Wells Fargo & Co and other banks suffered denial of service attacks. Sources at the time told Reuters the attacks could be part of a year-long cyber campaign waged by Iranian hackers to protest against an anti-Islam video on the Internet.
Iranian rights lawyer summoned by Intelligence Ministry
Reuters: Human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has been summoned by Iran’s Intelligence Ministry for questioning, her husband’s Facebook page said, days after a video of her voicing support for what she called prisoners of conscience was posted online.
Iran leads Hezbollah shake-up after massive security failures
The Tower: Iran dispatched a high-ranking military officer to Lebanon to lead a cleanup of Hezbollah after feared leaks to the West and Israel and mistakes made in Lebanon and Syria, according to the April 1 edition of The Daily Star Lebanon.
Lawmakers outraged over Iran U.N. choice, seek change in law
Reuters: U.S. lawmakers said on Tuesday they were concerned about Iran’s selection of a U.N. envoy linked to the 1979-1981 hostage crisis, and called on the Obama administration to do what it can to prevent him from taking up the post in New York.
UN envoy warns of ‘divisive’ Iraq election campaign
AFP: Campaigning for Iraq’s April 30 elections will be “highly divisive” as parties appeal to their sectarian bases at a time of worsening violence, the UN’s envoy to Baghdad has warned.
Dempsey says Israel-U.S. perceptions of Iran grow closer
Bloomberg: Israel’s view of how soon Iran will gain a nuclear-weapon capability has become much closer to that of officials in Washington, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Tuesday.
U.S. grand jury probing Deutsche Borse unit’s ties to Iran bank
Reuters: A U.S. grand jury is probing whether Deutsche Boerse AG’s Clearstream Banking SA unit took any steps to benefit Iran and its central bank, according to a court filing in a case that stems from the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut.
