AFP: President Barack Obama convened his national security team Wednesday to discuss the situation in Iraq, with just three weeks to go before the official end of the US combat mission there.
Obama, national security team hold meeting on Iraq
U.S. and Iraqi interests may work against pullout
New York Times: In a recent speech President Obama took credit for delivering on his promise to end the official combat mission on schedule, and vowed to meet America’s next deadline of moving all American forces off Iraqi soil by the end of 2011.
Clinton urges Iran to release political prisoners
AP: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Tuesday called on Iran to release all political prisoners and expressed alarm about the fate of several specific detainees.
RPT-Russia’s LUKOIL resumes gasoline supply to Iran -trade
Reuters: Russian oil giant LUKOIL has resumed gasoline sales into Iran in partnership with China’s state-run firm Zhuhai Zhenrong, even as the United States urges the international community to be tough with Tehran.
Briton dies as Mongol Rally team crashes in Iran
BBC: A British man has died in a road crash as a charity car rally passed through Iran, the Foreign Office has said.
Turkey backs petrol sales to Iran despite sanctions
Reuters: Turkey will support petrol sales by Turkish companies to Iran, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz told Reuters on Wednesday, despite U.S. sanctions that aim to squeeze the Islamic Republic’s fuel imports.
Toyota suspends auto exports to Iran
AFP: Toyota has suspended auto exports to Iran indefinitely in line with global sanctions against Tehran’s nuclear programme, the company said Wednesday.
Iran to arm own ‘Bladerunner’ boats: commander
AFP: Iran will mass produce replicas of the Bladerunner 51, often described as the world’s fastest boat, and equip them with weapons to be deployed in the Gulf, a top commander said Tuesday.
Exclusive: Sick livestock imported, budget diverted in Iran ministry
Iran Focus: Tehran, Aug. 10 – Some of the funds allocated in the Iranian government’s budget for the purchase of livestock from abroad have gone missing and are believed to have been stolen by government officials, Iran Focus has learnt.
Brazil signs on to UN sanctions against Iran
AFP: Brazil Tuesday signed on to UN sanctions against Iran despite misgivings over the measures following its efforts to negotiate a nuclear-swap deal with the Islamic state.
