Reuters: Western members of the U.N. Security Council blasted Iran on Thursday for providing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with weapons to help him crush an 18-month-long uprising by rebels determined to topple his government.
Iran attacked at U.N. Security Council over Syria aid
US admiral says Mideast drills ensure stability
AP: Although the Navy says the maneuvers are purely defensive and not directed at any country, they are widely seen as a message to Iranian officials who have threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf.
Christians face arrest, persecution in Iran, U.N. experts say
Reuters: More than 300 Christians have been arrested since mid-2010 in Iran where churches operate in a climate of fear and Muslims who convert to Christianity face persecution, United Nations human rights investigators said on Thursday.
West warns Iran time running out for nuclear accord
AFP: The United States, Britain and France warned Iran on Thursday that time is running out for a negotiated settlement to the showdown on its nuclear program.
US lists 117 Iranian planes arming Syria’s Assad
AP: The Obama administration has identified 117 Iranian aircraft it says are ferrying weapons to Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime.
Western report – Iran ships arms, personnel to Syria via Iraq
Reuters: Iran has been using civilian aircraft to fly military personnel and large quantities of weapons across Iraqi airspace to Syria to aid President Bashar al-Assad in his attempt to crush an 18-month uprising against his government, according to a Western intelligence report seen by Reuters.
Iran preparing internal version of Internet
Washington Post: The Iranian government, determined to limit Western influence and defend itself against cyberattacks, appears to have laid the technical foundations for a national online network that would be detached from the Internet and permit tighter control over the flow of information.
Israel to Iran: Jewish state can defend itself
AP: A senior Israeli official warned Iran on Wednesday to stop its “direct and blunt threats” against his country, telling a 155-nation nuclear conference the Jewish state is ready to defend itself against any nation that menaces its existence.
USS Eisenhower on Gulf alert sees ‘no problems’ from Iran
Bloomberg: Computer terminals glow in the darkened Combat Direction Center of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower as they process feeds from sensors tracking any air, surface or underwater vessel within striking range.
Iran defiant, even against big powers’ anger: leader
AFP: Iran will never bend to pressure exerted by the world’s big powers, even if they become “angry” at its defiance, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a speech published on his official website on Wednesday.
