AP: Iraqi officials say the government has dispatched a delegation to Iran to discuss concerns about the arming and training of Shiite militias in Iraq.
Officials: Iraq sends delegation to Iran
Gates says Iraqi delegation to Iran an important step
AFP: US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the Iraqi government's decision to send a delegation to Iran was an important step in pressuring Tehran to stop arming Shiite militias.
Quake hits Iran and lightly injures about 100
Reuters: An earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale hit an area southwest of the Iranian capital on Thursday, lightly injuring about 100 people, state television reported.
Deployment of aircraft carrier a US ‘reminder’ to Iran, says Gates
The Guardian: The US defence secretary, Robert Gates, said yesterday the deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf could serve as a "reminder" to Iran of American resolve to defend its interests in the region.
Iraq team to discuss militias with Iran
New York Times: The Iraqi prime minister is sending several senior Shiite leaders to Tehran to discuss their concerns that Iran is arming and financing militias in Iraq, senior Iraqi and American officials said Wednesday.
CIA director says Iran wants to kill Americans in Iraq
AP: CIA Director Michael Hayden said Wednesday that Iranian policy, at the highest government level, is to help kill Americans in Iraq, the boldest pronouncement of Iranian involvement by a U.S. official to date.
Iran, IAEA to resume nuclear talks: envoy
AFP: Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog will resume their latest talks by the end of next week, a top Iranian official said, after a new round of discussions over claims Tehran is seeking atomic weapons ended.
Iran students stage hunger strike protest: report
AFP: Seventeen Iranian students have been hospitalised after going on a hunger strike to protest strict rules at a university in the northwestern city of Tabriz, press reported Wednesday.
US official: Iraqis to urge Iran to stop backing militias
AP: Iraqi leaders are hoping to pressure Iran to stop aiding militias in Iraq by presenting Tehran with the latest evidence of weapons and training crossing the border, a senior defense official said Wednesday.
Iran launches new crackdown on dress code offenders
Reuters: Iranian police will launch a crackdown next month on small companies which fail to enforce strict religious dress codes, Mehr News Agency reported on Wednesday.
