AP: Seeking a fresh start to a strained relationship, President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday demonstrated solidarity on the key issues that have stirred tensions between them.
Obama, Netanyahu show solidarity on Iran
Khamenei urges Iran to stand up to sanctions
AFP: Iran began the Persian New Year on Wednesday with its most senior leader asking the people to stand up to piling Western economic sanctions and also warning that the pressure was unlikely to ease.
Shell reveals Iranian oil trade loss, $2.3 bln Iran debt
Reuters: Oil major Royal Dutch Shell lost money trading Iranian crude in 2012 shortly before a European Union embargo and still owes $2.3 billion to Tehran for oil purchases.
Iran crisis: Would Israel launch an attack?
BBC: As US President Barack Obama arrives in Israel, he does so amid a growing sense of urgency among the Israeli leadership over Iran’s nuclear programme – and the possibility it will take military action to stop it.
Hard times weigh heavily on Iranians on New Year’s holiday
Reuters: These should be prosperous days for Ali Pasha, who owns a tourism company in Dubai that arranges holidays for those seeking a break in the sunny Gulf emirate.
Ukraine says private firms mull more food sales to Iran
Reuters: Ukrainian private companies are considering an increase in their food exports to Iran despite payment problems caused by international sanctions against Tehran, Ukraine’s agriculture minister said.
Offer to Iran adds tension to U.S.-Israel talks
Los Angeles Times: Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials say the United States and five other nations may have offered too much to Tehran in nuclear negotiations.
Saudi arrests 18 spies including Iranian: ministry
AFP: The Saudi authorities have arrested 18 suspected spies, including an Iranian and a Lebanese, on charges of espionage for a foreign country, the interior ministry said on Tuesday.
Iranian envoy sees possible breakthrough on nuclear deal
Bloomberg: Iran for the first time sees the “possibility for a breakthrough” in negotiations next month over its disputed nuclear program, the Islamic Republic’s ambassador to the United Nations said.
Iran’s influence ‘waning’ in Latin America: US general
AFP: Iran is “struggling” to cultivate ties with Latin American countries that are wary of the United States, and Tehran’s influence in the region is on the decline, a top US general said Tuesday.
