Reuters: The foreign ministers of Iran, Oman, Qatar and Syria held an unannounced meeting in the Syrian capital on Saturday ahead of an Arab summit clouded by the crisis in Lebanon.
Iran, Gulf foreign ministers meet in Damascus
Palestinian group Hamas admits that its fighters are trained in Iran
Sunday Times: The Palestinian group Hamas, blamed for last weeks massacre of eight students at a Jewish seminary in Jerusalem, has revealed that hundreds of its fighters have been trained in Iran.
Iran trains Hamas to wage war on Israel
Sunday Times: The Hamas commander was in a hurry. Hunched forward in a navy-blue parka, with the wind-chapped skin and drawn eyes of someone who had been outdoors all night, he had just returned from the front line with Israel. The whine of drones overhead signalled that his enemy was hunting for blood.
Technocrats eyed for boost in government
Washington Times: Talks are under way among Iraqi political parties to overhaul the Cabinet and establish a new technocratic government, the prime minister’s top political adviser said yesterday.
Coalition detains Iran-backed insurgent trainer in Baghdad
Iran Focus: Baghdad, Mar. 08 Coalition troops on Friday captured a suspected insurgent trainer tied to Iran, the United States military announced.
Coalition detains Iran-backed insurgent trainer in Baghdad
Iran Focus: Baghdad, Mar. 08 Coalition troops on Friday captured a suspected insurgent trainer tied to Iran, the United States military announced.
On this day
The Times: March 8, 1989: Tehran breaks with UK over Rushdie controversy: Iran formally broke diplomatic relations with Britain yesterday, so shattering any chance of a compromise over Salman Rushdie’s controversial novel, The Satanic Verses, and setting back hopes of progress for Britons held in Iran and Lebanon.
Arab leaders, angry at Syrian president, threaten boycott of summit meeting
New York Times: Several Arab leaders say they may boycott the annual Arab summit meeting scheduled for this month in Damascus, the Syrian capital, because of anger at Syria over its role in Lebanon and its continuing links to Iran.
Iraq-Iran trade and tourism increasing
UPI: The U.S. Congressional Research Service said non-oil trade between Iraq and Iran reached about $2 billion in 2007.
One year later: Iran stonewalls on missing ex-FBI agent
ABC News: One year after former FBI agent Robert Levinson disappeared in Iran, the Iranian government still refuses to admit any knowledge of his whereabouts or fate.
