Bloomberg: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the 15 Britons seized 13 days ago are being pardoned for the prophet Muhammad’s birthday and are being released after his news conference in Tehran today.

Iran Focus: Tehran/London, Apr. 04 – Iran’s hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad awarded a medal of honour on Wednesday to a Revolutionary Guards commander for his role in arresting 15 British marines and sailors who Iran had charged had entered Iranian waters illegally last month but Britain maintained were in Iraqi territorial waters at the time of their seizure.

AFP: The US Navy said Tuesday it had stepped up vigilance following Iran’s recent seizure of 15 British marines and sailors for allegedly entering Iranian waters.

AP: Iranian authorities detained a French academic and have barred him from leaving the country since January, the French Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

AFP: French energy group Total denied on Tuesday that it had been summoned by the US Securities Exchange and the US Department of Justice to explain the group’s activities in Iran.

Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Apr. 04 – Iran’s hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad blasted on Wednesday the United Nations Security Council for failing to prevent the United States-led invasion of Iraq.

The Guardian
· Both sides want an early resolution, says Blair
· UK delegation ready to fly out to gain breakthrough

ABC News: A Pakistani tribal militant group responsible for a series of deadly guerrilla raids inside Iran has been secretly encouraged and advised by American officials since 2005, U.S. and Pakistani intelligence sources tell ABC News.