The Times: A polished silver Spitfire on the desk of Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa recalls two centuries of close and cordial ties between Britain and Bahrain.
Bahrain accuses Iran of nuclear weapons lie
Afghanistan complains to Iran over death penalty, refugees
AFP: Afghanistan said Friday it had summoned Iran’s representative here to complain about reports of Afghan minors being sentenced to death for drug smuggling and the forced expulsion of refugees.
U.S. Navy starts exercises in Gulf waters
Reuters: The U.S. Navy began a series of exercises in the Gulf and wider Gulf waters on Friday involving a U.S aircraft carrier and two expeditionary assault ships.
US hopes Iran fears will prod progress at Mideast peace meet
AFP: The United States hopes it can translate mounting concerns about Iran’s strength into progress in peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, officials and observers say.
Britain: New sanctions on Iran possible
AP: The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council agreed Friday to move toward a third set of sanctions against Iran if the country does not answer key questions on its nuclear program, the British Foreign Office said.
Six powers meet in London over Iran, urge diplomatic solution
AFP: Representatives of the six major powers involved in talks over Iran’s nuclear programme met in London Friday and again urged Tehran to end the stand-off through diplomacy, a Foreign Office spokesman said.
How Europe can pressure Iran
Wall Street Journal: The U.S. ratcheted up the financial pressure against Tehran last week, unilaterally slapping sanctions on Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp, three state-owned banks, and a number of key officials for their involvement in the regime’s terrorist financing and WMD-related activities.
UK navy warship to head for Gulf
BBC: A Royal Navy aircraft carrier is to head to the Gulf next spring, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
Senators warn Bush has no authority on Iran
AFP: Thirty US senators wrote to President George W. Bush Thursday, warning he had no authority to launch military action against Iran, and expressing concern about the administration’s “provocative” rhetoric.
Bahrain’s success at risk as Iran tension rises
Daily Telegraph: The glass skyscrapers dominating Bahrain’s horizon are a glittering emblem of the Gulf kingdom’s booming economy.
