Reuters: An Iranian businessman linked to a sprawling conglomerate controlled by Iran’s supreme leader is wanted by the United States for allegedly trying to purchase hundreds of American-made assault rifles to smuggle into Iran.
Iranian linked to Setad wanted by U.S. for attempted arms smuggling
UN criticizes Iran on human rights violations
AP: The U.N. General Assembly has approved a resolution criticizing Iran for serious rights violations including torture and its “alarming” and frequent use of the death penalty.
Top Republican: Senate leader coddling Iran for Obama
AFP: The Senate’s Democratic leadership is shielding US President Barack Obama from potentially embarrassing fallout by refusing to vote on new sanctions against Iran, the chamber’s top Republican warned Wednesday.
Netanyahu warns Chinese foreign minister against nuclear Iran
AFP: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Wednesday that Iran must not have the “capability” to develop nuclear arms, during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
U.S. fingers Iranian commandos for kidnapping raid inside Iraq
Foreign Policy: U.S. intelligence officials believe that Iranian commandos took part in a deadly attack on a compound of dissidents inside Iraq and then spirited seven members of the group back to Iran.
U.S. pessimism sets in over Iran nuclear talks
Los Angeles Times: Three weeks after President Obama hailed a landmark deal to suspend most of Iran’s nuclear program for the next six months, the mood among U.S. officials about the next round of negotiations has shifted from elated to somber, even gloomy.
Camp Ashraf in Iraq: Spanish court investigates a close ally of Maliki
AFP: A Spanish court has decided to extend an investigation into murderous raids in 2009, 2011 and 2013 against Iranian refugees camp Ashraf in Iraq to include Faleh al-Fayad, security adviser to the Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Second worst year for journalists in jail
AFP: The number of journalists killed and imprisoned fell in 2013 but it was still the second worst year on record for reporters in prison, a US-based watchdog said Wednesday.
Saudi ready to act alone on Iran, Syria: ambassador
AFP: The West’s policies on Iran and Syria are a “dangerous gamble” and Saudi Arabia is prepared to act on its own to safeguard security in the region, a top Saudi diplomat said.
Reid on Iran sanctions: Wait and see
The Hill: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) declined Tuesday to commit to a vote on a tougher Iran sanctions bill in January when the Senate returns from its Christmas recess.
