AFP: Russia is reimbursing Iran for its down payments on a deal for advanced S-300 ground-to-air missiles, which Moscow halted in the face of tough new UN sanctions, Russian Technologies chief Sergei Chemezov told reporters on Thursday.
Russia to refund Iran ‘over missile deal’
Brazil beats Iran 3-0 in exhibition
AP: Daniel Alves, Alexandre Pato and Nilmar scored in Brazil’s 3-0 exhibition win over Iran on Thursday, giving new coach Mano Menezes his second straight victory.
Iranian-Lebanese film recounts suffering in war with Israel
AFP: A Lebanese-Iranian film about two Hezbollah fighters and their women during the 2006 war with Israel is one of the biggest ever made in the country, one of its producers said on Thursday.
Iran vows crackdown if merchants strike over cuts in subsidies
Bloomberg: Iran’s government vowed a crackdown against merchants in the nation’s bazaars, an economic force whose 1979 shutdowns helped to topple the monarchy, if the retailers go on strike once subsidy cuts are made.
S.Korea to suspend Iranian bank as part of sanctions
AFP: South Korea will suspend the operations of an Iranian bank for two months, financial regulators said Thursday, as part of international sanctions over Tehran’s suspected nuclear weapons programme.
Iran seeks to export gas to Lebanon, revamp refineries
Bloomberg: Iran offered to rehabilitate Lebanon’s refineries and invest in water projects and gas supplies in the east Mediterranean country and officials from the two countries will discuss the offer today, the Lebanese energy minister’s senior adviser said.
Jailed Iranian opposition lawyer on hunger strike
AP: A prominent Iranian human rights lawyer has gone on a hunger strike to protest her detention in solitary confinement on suspicion of spreading propaganda against the ruling system, her husband said Wednesday.
Brazil to play Iran in historic 1st soccer match
AP: Brazil and Iran will meet for the first time Thursday in an exhibition soccer match in Abu Dhabi.
Iran’s judiciary warns gold merchants over strike
AP: Iran authorities have threatened to take legal action against gold merchants in Tehran’s main bazaar if they don’t call off their two-week-old anti-tax strike, local media reported Thursday.
Argentine prosecutor urges Iran bomb trial response
Reuters: The Argentine prosecutor who accuses former Iranian officials of masterminding the 1994 bombing of a Jewish center says hosting a trial on neutral ground could help break the deadlock in the case.
