Iran Focus: London, Jan. 19 Germany is proposing that the European Union step up sanctions on Iran to more than that required of it by a resolution adopted at the United Nations Security Council late last year, Britains Financial Times said on Friday.
EU urged to step up sanctions on Iran British daily
Frances ex-intelligence chief to travel to Iran on mission – report
Iran Focus: Paris, Jan. 19 – The French daily Le Figaro reported on Thursday that Frances former intelligence chief will travel to Iran next week on a mission to convince the Islamic Republic to play a cooperative role to resolve the political deadlock in Lebanon.
Frances ex-intelligence chief to travel to Iran on mission – report
Iran Focus: Paris, Jan. 19 – The French daily Le Figaro reported on Thursday that Frances former intelligence chief will travel to Iran next week on a mission to convince the Islamic Republic to play a cooperative role to resolve the political deadlock in Lebanon.
Iraq signals changes in protocols with Iran
New York Times: Iraq is carrying out an extensive review of its diplomatic protocols with Iran and may place new restrictions on them, the Iraqi foreign minister said in an interview on Thursday, after Iranian military officials and diplomats were picked up in three separate American actions here.
Diplomats: Iran may start enrichment
AP: Iran is ready to start assembling thousands of centrifuges to produce enriched uranium – a possible pathway to nuclear arms – after finishing most preliminary work on an underground facility housing such machines, a diplomat and a U.N. official said Thursday.
U.S. has few bargaining chips in Iran disputes: Gates
Reuters: The United States has little reason to negotiate with Iran now because the government in Tehran does not want anything from Washington, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Thursday.
Iran envoy: Iraq to free captured Iranians
AP: Iran’s ambassador said Thursday that Iraq’s foreign minister promised him that Iranians captured by U.S. troops in north of the country last week will be freed “within days,” adding that their detention was an insult to the Iraqi government and people.
Iran warns it’s ready for nuke standoff
AP: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Thursday that Iran was prepared for any possibility in the standoff with the West over its nuclear activities – a tough reaction to a U.S. military buildup in the Gulf meant as a warning to Tehran.
High-level Iran delegation visits NKorea
AP: A high-level Iranian delegation arrived in North Korea on Thursday, the North’s media reported, as the two hardline regimes face international pressure to give up their nuclear weapons programs.
Iran angered by new UN chief’s nuclear talk
AFP: Iran on Thursday condemned remarks by the UN’s new Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that its nuclear ambitions posed a threat to international security.
