AP: A brother of former Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani says the former leader’s website has been blocked after an order from the government.
Brother: Former Iran president’s website blocked
Italy backs Iran sanctions if Eni oil imports excluded
Reuters: Italy backs sanctions against Iran provided that crude oil imports by Eni relating to existing contracts are excluded, Prime Minister Mario Monti said on Thursday.
Iran-US brinkmanship over oil strait worsens
AFP: A showdown between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s threats to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz to oil tankers worsened with warships from each side giving weight to an increasingly bellicose exchange of words.
U.S. Saudi fighter jet sale to help offset Iran
Reuters: The United States has signed a $29.4 billion deal to sell 84 new F-15 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia in a long-expected move that the Obama administration said on Thursday would boost Gulf security amid mounting tension with Iran.
Chinese senior diplomat visits Iran amid tensions
Reuters: Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun visited Iran for talks, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, during growing tensions over Tehran’s threat to choke off Middle Eastern oil shipments in retaliation against proposed Western sanctions.
US aircraft carrier ‘spotted’ in Iran wargames zone
AFP: A US aircraft carrier entered a zone near the Strait of Hormuz being used by the Iranian navy for wargames, an Iranian official said Thursday amid rising tensions over the key oil-transit channel.
Iran says it has shot video of US aircraft carrier
AP: Iran says one of its surveillance planes has shot video and photographed a U.S. aircraft carrier during an Iranian drill near a strategic waterway in the Persian Gulf.
Iran’s Hormuz threat
Wall Street Journal – REVIEW & OUTLOOK: An attack on oil traffic would deserve a military response.
First Iran dissidents in Iraq agree to move camp
Reuters: The leader of an Iranian dissident group in Iraq said on Wednesday that 400 members were ready to move from their camp outside Baghdad to a new location as a goodwill gesture aimed at resolving a stand-off with the Iraqi government.
US warns Iran not to block Strait of Hormuz
AFP: The United States warned Iran on Wednesday against any attempt to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, after Tehran issued threats over the vital oil route.
