AFP: Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has backed the Iranian government’s plan to scrap subsidies in the coming weeks, despite concerns from some conservatives of its inflationary impact.
Khamenei backs Iran plan to scrap subsidies
Iran paper says Bruni should die after stoning comments
Reuters: An Iranian newspaper said on Tuesday that Carla Bruni, the wife of France’s president, deserved to die after she expressed solidarity with a woman sentenced to be stoned for adultery.
Iraqis need promises of post-war commitments from the U.S.
Washington Post – Editorial: The official end of U.S. combat operations in Iraq that President Obama will mark with a speech Tuesday night is a milestone but, as we hope Mr. Obama will make clear, hardly an end to America’s involvement or strategic interests in the Middle Eastern country.
Iraqis approach end of US combat role with worry
AP: As Vice President Joe Biden presides over the formal end to U.S. combat operations in Iraq, few Iraqis are cheering the American exit.
Iraq needs U.S. engagement, and a slower clock
Washington Post – By Ryan C. Crocker: Much has been written in recent days about Iraq and anniversaries. August 1990: Iraq invades Kuwait. August 2010: The last U.S. combat brigade withdraws from Iraq. Are these the bookends of a 20-year war? Did we win? What does winning mean?
Weeks still needed to fuel Iran’s nuclear plant
AFP: Iran will still need two more weeks to fully load the fuel in its Russian-built first nuclear power plant, a process which began 10 days ago, atomic chief Ali Akbar Salehi has said.
Iran to make medical reactor fuel in year – report
Reuters: Iran said it would produce in a year the nuclear fuel needed for a medical reactor in Tehran, a news agency reported on Monday, days after the Islamic state began loading fuel into its first atomic power plant.
Iran sets 2020 target for nuclear fusion reactor
AP: Iran says it has set a 2020 target date to build its first experimental nuclear fusion reactor, a feat that has yet to be achieved by any nation.
Iran ex-prosecutor suspended over prison deaths
AFP: Tehran’s notorious former prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi and two judges have been suspended over the prison deaths of three anti-government protesters, Iranian newspapers reported Monday, quoting MPs.
U.S. commander fears political stalemate in Iraq
New York Times: The departing commander of American forces in Iraq, Gen. Ray Odierno, said Sunday that a new Iraqi government could still be two months away and warned that a stalemate beyond that could create demands for a new election to break the deadlock, which has lasted since March.
