AFP: Ali Akbar Javanfekr, a senior aide to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, returned to jail on Monday after a four-day parole during which he underwent medical treatment, the ISNA news agency reported.
Ahmadinejad aide returns to jail after short parole
Senators: Hagel would face tough confirmation
AP: Two senators predicted Sunday that former Sen. Chuck Hagel would face a difficult confirmation if nominated by President Barack Obama to be defense secretary. Their concerns largely center on Hagel’s past comments about Israel and Iran.
Iraqi protestors block highway to Jordan, Syria
AP: Thousands of protesters demonstrated Sunday in Iraq’s western Sunni heartland following the arrest of bodyguards assigned to the finance minister, briefly blocking the main highway linking Baghdad with neighboring Jordan and Syria.
Iranian businessman denies EU sanctions-busting accusation
Reuters: An Iranian businessman named by the European Union for breaching sanctions against Iran denied any wrongdoing on Sunday, saying his bank and other companies did not work for the Iranian government.
Iran fighting ‘smart economic war’: Ahmadinejad
AFP: Iran is engaged in a “smart economic war” with Western powers whose sanctions against its nuclear programme are hurting some Iranians, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Saturday.
Iran a central issue for my next term: Netanyahu
Reuters: Iran’s perceived nuclear threat against Israel will be the central issue concerning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government if he is re-elected in a month’s time, the Israeli leader said on Saturday.
Tougher EU sanctions against Iran come into force
Reuters: Rigorous new sanctions against Iran’s banking, shipping and industrial sectors took effect on Saturday, as part of the European Union’s effort to force Tehran to scale back its nuclear program.
Gunmen kill 11 people on Pakistan-Iran border
AFP: Unknown gunmen killed 11 people as they prepared to illegally leave Pakistan in the southwestern province of Baluchistan, officials said on Saturday.
U.S. acts with Europe to strengthen Iran penalties
New York Times: The United States and Europe announced strengthened sanctions against Iran on Friday, increasing the number of blacklisted companies and individuals linked to the Iranian nuclear program, in coordinated actions that underscored the failure to resolve one of the most intractable international disputes.
Iran says to send humanitarian aid to Syria’s Palestinians
Reuters: Iran plans to send humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Syria living in an area recently seized by Syrian rebels, Iran’s ambassador to Syria was quoted as saying on Saturday.
