Iran Focus: London, Feb. 05 Russia called on Iran on Tuesday to freeze uranium enrichment until the UN nuclear watchdog gets to the bottom of key issues over its controversial nuclear program, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported.
Russia demands Iran end uranium enrichment
Iran says Gulf shields its banks from U.S. pressure
Reuters: U.S. allies such as Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates are helping shield Iran’s banking system from Washington’s “financial terrorism”, the governor of Iran’s central bank said on Tuesday.
Montreal filmmaker jailed in Iran says Cdn officials had no contact with her
Canadian Press: A Montreal filmmaker who was arrested and jailed in Iran says the Canadian consul was never in contact with her while she was behind bars.
US threat to Iran lessens despite Tehran defiance: think tank
AFP: The threat of US military action against Iran has decreased, even though Tehran seems determined to flout United Nations resolutions, a leading security think tank said Tuesday.
S.Africa has doubts about new Iran sanctions
Reuters: U.N. Security Council member South Africa on Tuesday expressed reservations about the timing of a draft sanctions resolution against Iran for its nuclear program as well as some of its provisions.
Iraq accuses Iran of stealing oil
Press Association: The Iraqi Oil Ministry has accused Iran of stealing oil from a shared field under their common border.
Iran angered over India’s launch of Israeli spy satellite
AFP: Iran said Tuesday it had lodged an official complaint with New Delhi over India’s commercial launch of an Israeli spy satellite last month.
Cairo ‘exploring’ ties with Tehran
Washington Times: Diplomats yesterday cautioned against excessive alarm over a series of visits to Cairo by senior Iranian officials, saying Tehran’s bid to end three decades of estrangement is unlikely to yield an early restoration of formal relations.
Our politicized intelligence services
Wall Street Journal – By John R. Bolton: Today, Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee (and Thursday on the House side) to give the intelligence community’s annual global threat analysis. These hearings are always significant, but the stakes are especially high now because of the recent National Intelligence Estimate on Iran.
Iran made ‘good progress’ nuke chief says
UPI: The head of the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog said Iran has made “good progress” in addressing outstanding issues surrounding its nuclear program.
