Reuters: Leaders of the European Union reiterated on Friday their support for possible additional U.N. sanctions against Iran if it fails to give up nuclear enrichment work and repeated an offer of support if it did so.
EU leaders renew sanctions warning to Iran
Sinopec agrees deal to triple Iran crude imports
Reuters: China’s top refiner Sinopec Corp will nearly triple its imports of Iranian crude next year, increasing Beijing’s reliance on the OPEC producer that faces Western political pressure over its nuclear programme.
Iran asked to postpone talks with US: State Department
AFP: US and Iranian experts postponed a meeting to discuss Iraq’s security at Iran’s request but the two sides will arrange a new meeting, the US State Department said Thursday.
China urges 2-track approach on Iran
AP: China wants a two-track approach in trying to resolve the dispute with Iran over its nuclear program a revitalized diplomatic initiative along with a new U.N. resolution on sanctions, Beijing’s U.N. ambassador said Thursday,
UK PM says Iran sanctions still needed
AP: Sanctions against Iran are still necessary despite a U.S. intelligence finding that Tehran has abandoned its pursuit of nuclear weapons, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Thursday.
Questions over Iran’s nuclear plans
PA: Gordon Brown insisted that questions remained over Iran’s intentions despite a US intelligence report suggesting Tehran had abandoned its nuclear weapons programme.
Abu Dhabi’s Taqa in talks to import Iran gas to UAE
Reuters: Abu Dhabi National Energy Co TAQA.AD (Taqa) said it is in early talks to import natural gas from Iran to the United Arab Emirates, and invest in the Iranian energy industry, including in power.
Iran says atomic talks with IAEA positive: Tehran media
Reuters: Iran said on Thursday its latest round of talks with the U.N. nuclear watchdog to resolve outstanding issues about its disputed atomic work were a positive step, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.
Iran: Terrorist freed in Germany is welcomed by Tehran
RFE/RL: There once was a well-known restaurant in central Berlin called Mykonos. Its Greek fare was said to be good, but it is now remembered for an altogether different reason: on the site of the former restaurant is a plaque — to which Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad personally objected — that lists three Iranian-Kurdish leaders who were “murdered [here in 1992″> by the then-rulers of Iran. They died fighting for freedom and human rights.”
Russia, Iran reach nuclear plant deal
AP: A Russian contractor said Thursday that Moscow and Tehran have reached agreement on a schedule for completing construction of a nuclear power plant in southern Iran a facility that plays a central role in international tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program.
