Reuters: The new U.S. ambassador to Iraq said on Thursday he believed groups backed by Iran were responsible for a quarter of U.S. casualties in the Iraq war but that Tehran was not as influential in Iraq as thought.
Quarter of US Iraq deaths due to Iran groups-envoy
Iran stonings ‘practices of another age’: Ashton
AFP: The European Union’s foreign policy chief said Friday the EU was about to reject “practices of another age”, after a woman was sentenced to death by stoning in Iran.
Iran says has withdrawn assets from European banks
Reuters: Iran has withdrawn assets from European banks in an attempt to evade international sanctions over the Islamic state’s disputed nuclear programme, a senior Iranian official said on Friday.
France urges EU to threaten Iran sanctions over stoning
AFP: France has urged the European Union to threaten new sanctions against the Iranian regime in the case of a woman sentenced to be stoned to death, in a foreign ministry letter seen by AFP on Friday.
Turkey industry min says Iran projects continue
Reuters: Turkey’s Industry and Trade Minister Nihat Ergun told NTV broadcaster that joint projects with Iran were continuing and that these would not be affected by United Nations and United States’ sanctions on Iran.
‘Five rebels, two guards’ killed in Iran clashes
AFP: Five rebels and two members of the Revolutionary Guards have been killed in clashes in Iran’s Kordestan province near the Iraqi border, government newspaper Iran reported on Thursday.
France ups campaign to stop Iran woman stoning
AFP: A French campaign to stop the stoning to death of an Iranian woman convicted of adultery intensified Thursday after President Nicolas Sarkozy added his support.
Reports: Iran bars local coverage of opposition
AP: Iranian media have been prohibited from mentioning opposition leaders, including former President Mohammad Khatami, under a purported media directive that would further strengthen the government’s grip over the remaining news outlets.
US leaves behind murky picture in Iraq
AFP: US combat troops pulling out of Iraq can claim the ouster of a brutal dictator as a clear success but otherwise leave behind unresolved questions about democracy, terror and neighboring Iran’s power.
Series of attacks hits Iraq cities
Wall Street Journal: At least 55 people were killed in about two dozen bombings and shootings, most of them targeting police, across Iraq on Wednesday, a day after the U.S. said it had met an end-of-month deadline for the withdrawal of combat forces.
