AFP: The United States said Monday it would try to discourage a major Austrian oil company from following through on a proposed deal to help develop an Iranian gas field, noting the venture could draw US sanctions.
US cautions Austrian oil giant over gas deal with Iran
U.S. criticizes Iran-European gas deal
AP: Irritated by the prospect of a huge European gas development deal with Iran, the Bush administration said Monday it will argue that such transactions undercut international bargaining power over Iran’s nuclear program.
Iraq: Two more bombs by Iranian embassy, ministries
AFP: Two more car bombs exploded Tuesday in a Baghdad parking lot outside the Iranian embassy and several Iraqi government buildings, one day after two detonated in the same place.
Two Chinese companies deny dealings with Iran, Syria
AFP: Two Chinese companies, hit with fresh US sanctions aimed at stopping banned military dealings with Iran and Syria, denied Tuesday that they were doing business with the two nations.
Iran’s leader proposes talks with Bush
AP: Iran’s hard-line president proposed Monday to hold public talks with President Bush on a wide range of issues, without saying whether that included international suspicions of the Iranian nuclear program or allegations of Iranian meddling in Iraq.
Iran cracks down on women’s dress
AP: With the arrival of spring, Iranian police have launched a crackdown against women accused of not covering up enough, arresting nearly 300 women, some for wearing too tight an overcoat or letting too much hair peek out from under their veil, authorities said Monday.
Iran may be holding ex-FBI agent, U.S. official says
Reuters: The United States believes Iran could be holding a former FBI agent who has been missing since March, a senior U.S. State Department official said on Monday but gave no evidence to support the statement.
Al-Qaeda planning big British attack
Sunday Times: Al-Qaeda leaders in Iraq are planning the first large-scale terrorist attacks on Britain and other western targets with the help of supporters in Iran, according to a leaked intelligence report.
Iran, Syrian weapons transfers blocked
AP: The United States has imposed sanctions on 14 foreign people, companies and government agencies, including the Syrian navy and air force, as it boosts efforts to stop transfers of advanced weaponry to and from Iran and Syria.
Iran does not wish to use oil as a weapon: president
Reuters: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Monday Iran does not wish to use oil as a weapon in its standoff with the West over its nuclear program.
