Reuters: Turkey wants to triple its trade volume with Iran within five years, Turkey’s prime minister told businessmen on Thursday, at a time when sanctions are scaring off Western investors from the Islamic Republic.
Turkey’s PM tells businessmen to boost Iran trade
Sanctions against Iran proving effective: France, US
AFP: International sanctions against Iran are bearing fruit and have sparked a “debate” inside Tehran’s regime, French Defense Minister Herve Morin said Thursday during a US visit.
Iran delays phasing out gasoline subsidies
Reuters: Iran has delayed phasing out gasoline subsidies in what analysts say may be a sign of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s anxiety to avoid igniting a popular backlash.
Hema, Iran Khodro say to sign 200 mln euro deal
Reuters: Iranian carmaker Iran Khodro and Turkey’s Hema Endustri are set to sign a deal worth 200 million euro ($262 million) to build two automotive factories, company officials told Reuters on Thursday.
Iran leaves ambassador post free in snub to UK
The Guardian: Iran is downgrading its relations with Britain by not replacing its outgoing ambassador to London, Rasoul Movahedian, when he leaves in the next few weeks, diplomatic sources said today.
Iran opposition leader’s office attacked: website
Reuters: Iranian opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi’s website said Thursday security forces had attacked his office and seized his computers.
Iran sanctions curb credit transfer to Uganda-memo
Reuters: Uganda has been unable to obtain a $46 million credit offered by Iran because of complications in transferring the money due to U.N. sanctions, according to a government memo seen by Reuters on Wednesday.
Gates, Russian defense chief Serdyukov talk on missiles, Iran
Bloomberg: U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates called talks yesterday with his Russian counterpart, Anatoly Serdyukov, “very productive,” as the two sought common ground on divisive issues including missile defense, Iran and Georgia.
Ahmadinejad says more sanctions won’t hurt Iran
AFP: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told US television Wednesday that more sanctions will not hurt the Islamic republic, as Western nations urged tougher action over Tehran’s nuclear program.
UN atomic watchdog, Iran trade barbs over inspectors
AFP: UN atomic watchdog chief Yukiya Amano and Iran’s nuclear envoy waged a fierce war of words here Wednesday in a deepening dispute over Tehran’s decision to bar key nuclear inspectors from the country.
