Ya Libnan: Free Shiite movement leader Sheikh Mohammad Al-Haj Hassan urged the Lebanonization of the decisions of the Iranian and Syrian backed opposition.
Shiite cleric: Don’t sacrifice Lebanon for Iran’s ambitions
Analysis: Russia, others eye Iran ties
UPI: While it has been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy since the 1979 Iranian Islamic revolution to contain and isolate Iran, Washington’s increasingly factious relations with Moscow and record-high oil prices are beginning to ripple through the relations of the five Caspian nations, producing several developments that all point to the increasing failure of Washington’s containment policy against Tehran.
U.N. council vote on Iran sanctions delayed again
Reuters: France and Britain have again delayed a U.N. Security Council vote on a third round of sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program in an effort to win over skeptics, diplomats said on Friday.
CNOOC, Iran deal kept under wraps
UPI: Details of a deal between China National Offshore Oil Corp. and Pars Oil and Gas Co. on the North Pars field are being kept under wraps to avoid scrutiny.
World banks are warned against doing business with Iran
New York Sun: In a move that could cripple Iran’s banking sector, the world’s premier anti-money-laundering body warned its 34 member states yesterday to advise their banks of the risks of doing business with Iranian banks, citing worries about the Islamic nation’s financing of terrorism.
Iran offers Iraq $1 billion loan before Ahmadinejad visit
Reuters: Iran is offering a $1 billion loan to Iraq for projects to be handled by Iranian firms, an Iranian official said on Friday, two days before a landmark visit by Iran’s president to Baghdad.
ANALYSIS-U.S. eyes Iranian president’s visit to Iraq
Reuters: While President George W. Bush’s trips to Iraq have been brief and surrounded by secrecy, a visit by Iran’s president this weekend is being heralded with much fanfare, raising U.S. concerns it will erode American influence in the region.
Before U.N. vote, Iran says atomic work won’t stop
Reuters: World powers will not prevent Iran from pursuing its nuclear ambitions, the Iranian president said on Friday, a day before a possible vote on a third round of U.N. sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
UN vote on Iran sanctions delayed
AP: Britain and France are delaying a U.N. Security Council vote on new sanctions against Iran until Monday to try to get more support for the resolution.
Mottaki tells UN Iran will continue its nuclear activities
Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Feb. 29 Irans Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki wrote to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemning efforts by the international community to impose further sanctions over the Islamic Republic’s controversial nuclear program, the official news agency IRNA reported on Thursday.
