New York Times: The future of Iran’s largest academic institution is in question after the supreme leader stepped into a tug of war this week between President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his rival Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who was instrumental in vastly expanding and improving the university.
In Iran, future of university is in flux
Japanese firm will exit Iran oil project
Wall Street Journal: Japanese oil and natural gas producer Inpex Corp. said it agreed with Iran’s state-owned National Iranian Oil Co. that it will exit from Azadegan oil field.
Iran cleric warns Ahmadinejad over subsidy cuts
Reuters: A senior Iranian cleric warned President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s government on Friday that its plan to slash huge state subsidies on essentials like food in the coming weeks risked provoking popular dissatisfaction.
Americans accused of spying in Iran should be put on trial, minister says
Bloomberg: Two Americans charged with illegally entering Iran and espionage should be tried, Intelligence Minister Heidar Moslehi said.
Ahmadinejad sends message to US ‘with Lebanon visit’
AFP: Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit to Lebanon this week sent a message to Washington that Tehran is a key player in the region and cannot be isolated, Lebanese newspapers said on Friday.
Iranian FM: Ready to resume nuclear talks soon
AP: Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Friday that Tehran was ready to resume talks about its nuclear program with the international community within a matter of weeks.
AIG to gain from IPO of China motor exporter to Iran, SCMP says
Bloomberg: American International Group is likely to gain “tens of millions of dollars” from the initial public offering of a Chinese automaker that does business with Iran, the South China Morning Post reported.
Iranian women ‘in slavery’: stoning woman’s lawyer
AFP: Iranian women have been forced into slavery, the former lawyer for Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani, the Iranian woman facing death by stoning, said Thursday.
Lawyer wants sanctions on Iranian leaders’ travel
Reuters: The European Union and United Nations should tighten curbs on Iranian leaders’ foreign travel over alleged human rights violations, the lawyer who defended an Iranian women sentenced to death by stoning said Thursday.
EU’s Ashton suggests new Iran nuclear talks in November
AFP: The European Union’s foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton, who represents world powers in nuclear talks with Iran, on Thursday proposed a new round of meetings in Vienna next month.
