AFP: Iran said it would deliver on Friday its "constructive and creative" response to a letter outlining proposals by world powers to end the five-year standoff over its contested nuclear programme.
Iran to answer world powers’ nuclear offer on Friday
State media: Iran will answer nuclear proposal
AP: Iran's state radio is reporting that the country will respond Friday to an international proposal on its nuclear program.
Washington holds firm to demands Iran suspend enrichment
AFP: The United States on Thursday maintained its demand that Iran suspend its uranium enrichment as a condition for Washington participating in formal nuclear talks with Tehran, although it did not rule out less strict pre-negotiations.
India, Iran to seal gas pipeline deal ‘by next month’: oil minister
AFP: India expects to sign a deal "by next month" on a pipeline that will transport gas across the subcontinent from Iran, Indian oil minister Murli Deora told AFP on Thursday.
U.S. says Iran may face more sanctions
Reuters: Iranian banks could face further sanctions unless Tehran complies with international demands over its disputed nuclear programme, Deputy U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt was quoted as saying on Thursday.
U.S. envoy in Israel plays down talk of Iran attack
Reuters: The U.S. ambassador to Israel played down speculation on Thursday that an attack by either country on Iranian nuclear sites was imminent, saying the allies agreed sanctions should run their course.
Iran detains Saudi fishing boats near nuclear plant
AFP: Iran said on Thursday that it has seized four Saudi fishing vessels crewed by Indian nationals in territorial waters near its first nuclear power plant, the Fars news agency reported.
Iran’s shift in nuclear tone may be to buy time
Reuters: Iran's softer tone towards an offer of nuclear incentives made by world powers may be a bid to buy time rather than a shift to accept a key demand to halt nuclear work, analysts and diplomats said.
Iran inflation tops 26 pct yr/yr in June -report
Reuters: Iran's annual inflation rose to 26.4 percent in June, an Iranian news agency cited central bank figures as showing on Thursday, as consumer prices continued to climb steadily in the world's fourth-largest oil exporter.
Bush keeps up pressure on Iran
New York Times: President Bush said Wednesday that the United States still strongly preferred diplomacy as it confronts rising tensions and uncertainty over Iran, but that, as always, “all options are on the table.”
