Wall Street Journal: Afghanistan, site of many a surrealistic scene over the years, produced another one earlier this month.
Iran grasps for regional power
Gates expresses “concern” over Iranian drones
AFP: US Defense Secretary Robert Gates expressed concern Thursday over Iran's aerial drone program, saying the weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists.
Russia says may support Iran nuclear sanctions
Reuters: Russia could support additional sanctions on Iran but any measures must be focused only on preventing the proliferation of nuclear materials, Russia's foreign ministry said on Thursday.
Q+A – Six powers launch talks on new Iran sanctions
Reuters: The United States, Britain, France and Germany have begun talks with China and Russia on a U.S.-drafted proposal for a new round of U.N. sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.
Iran nuclear plant launch unrelated to sanctions: Russia
AFP: Iran's launch of a Russian-built nuclear power plant will go ahead and is in no way linked to possible new sanctions over its alleged weapons programme, Russia's foreign ministry said Thursday.
West pressure not to affect Iran’s nuclear program
AP: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says efforts by the West to halt Iran's nuclear program will not bear fruit.
West ‘fussing’ over Iran nuclear drive: Ahmadinejad
AFP: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday accused the West of stirring up a "fuss" about Iran's nuclear programme, as reports said Washington has backed down from harsh sanctions against Tehran.
U.S. softens sanction plan against Iran
Wall Street Journal: The U.S. has backed away from pursuing a number of tough measures against Iran in order to win support from Russia and China for a new United Nations Security Council resolution on sanctions.
China says talks are way forward on Iran nuclear issue
AFP: China on Thursday called for continued dialogue to resolve the international standoff over Iran's nuclear programme, after it took part in six-way talks on possible new sanctions against Tehran.
Lukoil abandons Iran project under pressure of U.S. sanctions
Bloomberg: OAO Lukoil, the Russian oil producer with the most overseas assets, abandoned work in Iran because of the threat of U.S. sanctions, while saying it may still return to the Persian Gulf nation.
