The Guardian: The US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, increased pressure on Iran yesterday when she identified it as the biggest strategic challenge to America and the target of a proposed $63bn (£31bn) arms package.
Tehran the target of huge arms deal, says Rice
Iran sentences 2 journalists to death
AP: The Iranian judiciary confirmed that two journalists from the country’s Kurdish minority have been sentenced to death, state media reported Tuesday.
Iran is critical as U.S. unveils arms sales in the Middle East
Washington Post: The United States and Iran exchanged tough accusations on Monday as the Bush administration unveiled a huge package of arms sales to Saudi Arabia and five other Gulf countries expected to total at least $20 billion, as well as separate 10-year agreements for $43 billion in military aid to Israel and Egypt.
Big German banks to sever most Iran ties
Wall Street Journal: Deutsche Bank AG and Commerzbank AG, the two largest European banks to continue doing business with Iran despite recent U.S. pressure, say they will end most of their ties to Iranian companies.
Brown says next step on Iran is tougher sanctions
Reuters: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Monday that he and President George W. Bush agreed on the need to pursue tougher sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.
Iran angered by French foreign minister’s comments
AFP: Iran on Monday expressed bewilderment at comments made by the French foreign minister over Tehran’s role in Lebanon, saying it feared the remarks showed a lack of understanding.
UN inspectors check key Iran nuclear site
AFP: A group of UN atomic inspectors on Monday visited a heavy water reactor in Iran that is one of the key Western concerns over the Islamic republic’s nuclear programme, officials said.
Iran criticizes U.S.-Saudi deal
AP: Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman on Monday criticized a U.S. plan to sell state-of-the-art weapons to Saudi Arabia, saying it would undermine security in the Middle East, the state broadcasting company reported.
US arms pacts to counter Iran, Syria : Rice
AFP: The United States Monday announced new military pacts worth 13 billion dollars for Egypt, 30 billion for Israel and billions more for Saudi Arabia and Gulf states, in a bid to counter Iran.
Senior Iran cleric dies
Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Jul. 30 One of Irans most senior clerics died on Monday, state media reported.
