AP: Bush administration officials urged patience with U.S. efforts to crack down on Iran as Democrats leveled fresh criticism of the government’s approach.
White House urges patience on Iran
Shiite militia may be disintergrating
AP: The violent Shiite militia known as the Mahdi Army is breaking into splinter groups, with up to 3,000 gunmen now financed directly by Iran and no longer loyal to the firebrand cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, adding a potentially even more deadly element to Iraq’s violent mix.
Iran warns it may ignore nuclear rules
AP: Iran’s supreme leader said Wednesday that Tehran will pursue nuclear activities outside international regulations if the U.N. Security Council insists it stop uranium enrichment. “Until today, what we have done has been in accordance with international regulations,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said. “But if they take illegal actions, we too can take illegal actions and will do so.”
U.N. Council seeks compromise on Iran text
Reuters: U.N. negotiators sought on Wednesday to bridge differences with South Africa on sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, with the United States stressing the importance of Russian pressure on Iran to suspend uranium enrichment.
U.S. cautions foreign companies on Iran deals
New York Times: For all its efforts to apply economic and political pressure on Iran over its nuclear program, the United States has never used a potentially potent tool in its arsenal penalties on foreign companies that assist Iran in producing oil and natural gas.
Iran may undertake ‘illegal’ atomic work, leader says
Bloomberg: Iran may undertake atomic work outside of international regulations if the United Nations Security Council insists that the Islamic Republic ceases uranium enrichment, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said.
State TV: Ahmadinejad Irans man of the year
Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Mar. 21 Iranian state television announced on Wednesday that hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was Irans Man of the Year.
State TV: Ahmadinejad Irans man of the year
Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Mar. 21 Iranian state television announced on Wednesday that hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was Irans Man of the Year.
Total chief probed over alleged corruption in Iran: source
AFP: French oil group Total said on Wednesday that its chief executive faced judicial questioning over a gas contract signed in Iran in 1997.
Swiss discussed compromise idea in Iran-diplomats
Reuters: Switzerland recently sent a senior official to Iran to discuss a proposal aimed at resolving Tehran’s nuclear dispute with the West, despite requests by key Western powers to drop the idea, diplomats said.
