AFP: Iran will re-opens its border with Iraq on Sunday after a two-week closure to protest at the detention of an Iranian by US troops, the semi-official news agency Fars reported.
Iran to re-open its border with Iraq
Iran says oilfields ‘too attractive’ for France to quit
AFP: Iran on Saturday rejected the possibility of a French investors’ pullout of its oil and gas sector amid calls by Paris for tougher sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear programme, the ISNA news agency reported.
The tide is turning in Basra
Daily Telegraph: Despite growing stability, an early withdrawal of all British troops for political reasons would be a big mistake, says Con Coughlin, who reports from a transformed Iraqi city.
Bush determined to confront Iran’s nuclear ambitions
AFP: US President George W. Bush on Friday expressed his determination to confront Iran’s nuclear ambitions and warned that Tehran should not expect a more complacent attitude from his successor.
Ahmadinejad says Iran won’t negotiate over its “nuclear rights”
AP: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed Friday that Iran will not negotiate over its “nuclear rights” but said the government was prepared to answer questions from the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency.
Disbanding militias ‘key to cutting Iran’s influence in Iraq’
RFE/RL: Iraq’s parliament speaker says disbanding Shi’ite militias will be key in reducing Iranian influence in the country.
France, Germany keep EU sanctions pressure on Iran
Reuters: France and Germany signaled on Friday the European Union could punish Iran for pressing ahead with its nuclear program before the world’s top powers agree on further sanctions at the United Nations.
Spokeswoman: Germany considers tougher sanctions on Iran
Xinhua: Germany supports a French initiative to consider tougher EU sanctions on Iran should Iran refuse to cooperate over its controversial nuclear program, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said here Friday.
States can act on Iran before EU sanctions: France
Reuters: France said on Friday European Union member states can take their own steps to slow trade with Iran before the bloc agrees extra sanctions to punish Tehran for pursuing nuclear work.
Ahmadinejad in new tirade against Israel
AFP: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Friday launched a new tirade against Israel amid growing tensions with the West, vowing to work to abolish the Jewish state and questioning the scale of the Holocaust.
