AP: The United States is readying a range of unilateral sanctions against Iran, as well as additional measures with international partners, should the Islamic republic fail to answer fresh questions about its nuclear ambitions posed by a report released Tuesday by a United Nations watchdog.
Obama administration readies more Iran sanctions
UN reports Iran work ‘specific’ to nuke arms
AP: The U.N. atomic agency said for the first time Tuesday that Iran is suspected of conducting secret experiments whose sole purpose is the development of nuclear arms, an assessment that draws on 1,000 pages of intelligence and nearly a decade of research.
US may seek extra sanctions on Iran after report
AFP: The United States warned Tuesday it would seek to ratchet up pressure and may seek new sanctions on Iran after the UN nuclear watchdog said Tehran had worked on nuclear weapons technology.
China tells Iran to show flexibility and sincerity
AP: Iran needs to show “flexibility and sincerity” over its nuclear program, China’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday, as tensions rise ahead of the release of a new report on its atomic activities by a U.N. agency.
UN has been ratcheting up Iran sanctions
AP: The U.N. Security Council first imposed sanctions against Iran in December 2006 and has been ratcheting up the punitive measures since then in hopes of pressuring the government to suspend enrichment and start negotiations on its nuclear program — which it has refused to do.
Oil up over $115, Iran, Italy eyed
Reuters: Oil prices rose over $115 on Tuesday on the back of strong seasonal fundamentals, as investors weighed the prospect of supply disruption from Iran against concerns over Italy’s sovereign debt risk.
US expects Iran report to echo its concerns
AFP: The White House said Monday it expected a forthcoming report by the UN nuclear watchdog to echo its concerns about Iran’s nuclear program but refused to comment on widely leaked details.
Iranian influence seeping into Iraq
AP: Iran’s presence is already visible in Iraq, from the droves of pilgrims at Shiite holy sites to the brands of yoghurt and jams on grocery shelves. But now Iraqis are bracing for a potential escalation of Persian influence as the U.S. military leaves at the end of the year.
IAEA to say Iran nearing nuclear capability: report
Reuters: Intelligence provided to the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog agency shows that Iran has mastered the critical steps needed to build a nuclear weapon, The Washington Post reported on Sunday.
Iran hardline cleric hits out at UN nuclear chief
AFP: Iranian cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami warned the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Monday not to become “an instrument without will in the hands of the United States” against Iran.
