Reuters: The installation of Patriot anti-missile batteries sent by NATO members to bolster Turkey’s defenses against a possible missile attack from Syria will only harm Turkey’s security, Iran’s defense minister was quoted as saying on Saturday.
Iran defense minister says NATO missiles harm Turkey security
US sanctions Iranian companies
AFP: The United States on Friday sanctioned four Iranian companies, including one accused of providing weapons to the Syrian regime’s crackdown.
Iran talks in early 2013 to boost oil risk premium, SocGen says
Bloomberg: International talks early next year over Iran’s nuclear program will probably renew focus on the issue and bolster a risk premium in oil prices, according to Societe Generale SA.
China cuts Iran oil imports before sanctions waiver extended
Bloomberg: China cut its imports of Iranian crude in November before it won a renewed exemption from U.S. penalties on banks that process payments for the Islamic republic’s oil.
UN sanctions two Iran firms over Syria arms supplies
AFP: The UN Security Council on Thursday slapped sanctions on two Iranian firms accused of supplying arms to the Syrian government, a UN statement said.
Ahmadinejad aide ‘hospitalised after leaving Iran jail’
AFP: Top Iranian presidential aide Ali Akbar Javanfekr was hospitalised on Thursday for a “heart condition” after leaving Tehran’s notorious Evin prison for medical treatment, media reports said.
US ‘aware’ of report of jailed pastor in Iran
AP: The U.S. State Department says it is in contact with the family of a man described by activists as an Iranian-American Christian pastor jailed in Tehran.
Iran outwits sanctions, but feels pinch
UPI: U.S. and European sanctions are taking their toll of Iran’s economy, even though Tehran has become adept at getting around them to sell its oil, its economic lifeline.
U.N. condemns rights abuses in Iran, North Korea and Syria
Reuters: The U.N. General Assembly condemned North Korea, Iran and Syria on Thursday for widespread human rights abuses and all three countries rejected the separate resolutions adopted by the 193-member world body, slamming them as politicized.
Brazil sugar at ports rises 27% as ships head to Iran, Black Sea
Bloomberg: The amount of sugar awaiting loading at ports in Brazil, the world’s largest producer, climbed 27 percent over the past week as vessels head to the Black Sea and Iran, according to Williams Servicos Maritimos Ltda.
