Bloomberg: Oil rose above $92 a barrel for the first time in New York after the U.S. accused Iran’s military of supporting terrorism and stepped up pressure on foreign companies to cut ties with the Middle East oil producer.
Oil rises to record over $92 after U.S. says Iran backs terror
Iran closer to nuclear bomb, emigre opposition says
Reuters: Iran may be closer to developing nuclear weapons than three to eight years believed by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the country’s emigre opposition said on Friday.
Steinmeier holds ‘constructive’ talks with Iran
Reuters: Germany’s foreign minister held “constructive” talks with Iran’s nuclear negotiators on Thursday and urged them to cooperate with the international community to resolve a dispute over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
China says opposed to U.S. sanctions against Iran
Reuters: China indicated on Friday it opposed the latest U.S. economic sanctions on Iran, warning that what it called rash steps could “complicate” the nuclear standoff with Tehran.
List: Sanctioned Iranian groups, people
AP: Targets of new sanctions against Iran Thursday, according to a government fact sheet:
U.S. plays its unilateral card on Iran sanctions
New York Times: In announcing sweeping new sanctions against an elite unit of the Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran, Bush administration officials took pains to offer assurances on Thursday that at least for now, the United States is not going to war with Iran.
Iran sanctions are meant to prevent war, Bush aides say
Washington Post: In approving far-reaching, new unilateral sanctions against Iran, President Bush signaled yesterday that he intends to pursue a strategy of gradually escalating financial, diplomatic and political pressure on Tehran, aimed not at starting a new war in the Middle East, his advisers said, but at preventing one.
Pentagon chief calls planning for Iran strike “routine”
Reuters: U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday characterized U.S. military planning for a strike on Iran as “routine”.
EU hopes Iran’s new nuclear negotiator won’t complicate talks
AFP: EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said Thursday he hoped the appointment of a new Iranian nuclear negotiator would not complicate talks with Tehran over its disputed nuclear program.
With sanctions US targets Iran’s largest banks
AFP: The United States targeted three of Iran’s largest banks Thursday, cranking up pressure on Tehran for its alleged nuclear weapons drive and terrorist financing.
