Iran Focus: Tehran, Mar. 31 – A spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said the release of a senior diplomat in Pakistan by Iranian intelligence agents signifies Iran’s regional power.
Iran: Envoy release signifies regional power
Iraqi PM fights to hold power, risks sectarian war
AP: Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's postelection strategy suggests he is prepared for a long and bitter fight to hold on to power, even if it alienates the country's Sunni community and risks new sectarian warfare.
G8 increases pressure on Iran over nuclear program
Reuters: The world's leading industrial nations called on Tuesday for stronger action against Iran over its nuclear program and the United States said it was confident China would agree on the need for sanctions.
Clinton predicts UN consensus on Iran sanctions
AFP: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton predicted Tuesday the UN Security Council would reach a consensus on imposing new sanctions on Iran over its nuclear enrichment program.
EXCLUSIVE: Iran nuclear scientist defects to U.S. in CIA ‘intelligence coup’
ABC News: An award-winning Iranian nuclear scientist, who disappeared last year under mysterious circumstances, has defected to the CIA and been resettled in the United States, according to people briefed on the operation by intelligence officials.
Allawi accuses Iran of election interference
BBC: Iyad Allawi, the man who won Iraq's parliamentary elections, has accused Iran of trying to prevent him from becoming prime minister.
Harper says Iran, North Korea are threats to recovery
Bloomberg: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Iran and North Korea are security concerns that threaten to undermine progress in solving global economic problems, and called on the Group of Eight nations to tackle the issues with “vigor.”
China welcomes smoother U.S. ties, nudges Iran
Reuters: China on Tuesday sought smoother ties with the United States and welcomed President Barack Obama's call for a positive relationship in a meeting with Beijing's new ambassador to Washington.
Iran steps up executions amid political turmoil, Amnesty says
Bloomberg: Iran executed more people last year than any other country except China, according to a report by Amnesty International.
Minister backs Nato call for defence shield against Iran
The Scotsman: There is a "strong case" for developing a missile shield to defend Europe against aggression from Iran the armed forces minister said yesterday.
