AP: Iran’s foreign minister is insisting that use of chemical weapons in Syria would also be a “red line” for Tehran, but suggests rebel forces should be investigated rather than the Islamic Republic’s allies in Damascus.
Iran: chemicals `red line’ but seeks rebel probe
Sources say senior Iranian diplomat detained in March
Reuters: A senior Iranian diplomat linked to Iran’s reformists was detained in Tehran in March, possibly as part of a crackdown on dissidents ahead of the June presidential election, sources familiar with the case told Reuters on Tuesday.
Hezbollah hints at possible Syria intervention
AP: The leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group said Tuesday that Syrian rebels will not be able to defeat President Bashar Assad’s regime militarily, strongly suggesting that Syria’s “real friends” including his Iranian-backed militant group would intervene on the government’s side if the need arises.
Nigeria court delays verdict against Iran ‘arms dealer’
AFP: A Nigerian judge on Tuesday postponed his verdict against an alleged member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards who is charged with an illegal arms shipment.
Iran opposes creation of buffer zone in Syria
Xinhua: Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, expressed Monday his country’s opposition to the creation of a buffer zone in Syria.
Iran moves American Christian into solitary confinement over prayer protest
Fox News: The American pastor jailed in Iran for his faith has been placed in solitary confinement and may now be suffering organ failure, according to family members in Iran who are increasingly alarmed at his deteriorating health.
Iraq instability tested further with bombing wave
AP: In other violence Monday, several mortar shells exploded in an uninhabited area near Baghdad International Airport around sunset, but no casualties were reported, police said. An Iranian exile group whose members live in a refugee camp near the airport described the explosions as rocket strikes.
Iran seen storing oil at sea as refineries carry out maintenance
Bloomberg: Iran is storing crude oil on board tankers off its coast, according to IHS Fairplay, a maritime researcher that collates data on vessel movements.
Netanyahu says Iran hasn’t crossed nuclear “red line”
Reuters: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday Iran had not crossed the “red line” he set for its nuclear program, despite an assessment to the contrary by a former Israeli intelligence chief.
Germany charges 4 with sending Iran reactor parts
AP: Federal prosecutors say they have charged three German-Iranian dual nationals and a German man with breaking export laws for allegedly supplying Iran with parts needed to build a nuclear reactor in violation of the country’s trade embargo.
