AFP: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s latest tour of Latin America came under fire Tuesday from a moderate newspaper and some MPs who charged it was badly-timed.
AP: Iran gets army gear in Pentagon sale
AP: The U.S. military has sold forbidden equipment at least a half-dozen times to middlemen for countries – including Iran and China – who exploited security flaws in the Defense Department’s surplus auctions. The sales include fighter jet parts and missile components.
The threat from Iran
Daily Telgraph – Leaders: It has been clear for many months that Iran has been actively involved in the Iraqi insurgency: by supplying arms and manpower to the militias who target American and British forces, and inciting sectarian violence, it has helped to maintain the state of chaotic instability which has persisted in spite of all attempts to bring order to the country. But as our report today makes clear, Iran is also engaged in a more sophisticated programme of political infiltration in Basra.
Defense Secretary, in Afghan capital, scolds Iran
New York Times: Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Monday that Iran was acting in a very negative way in the Middle East and that the United States was building up its forces to demonstrate its resolve to remain in the Persian Gulf.
Iran denies urging Saudi to mediate with U.S.
Reuters: Iran has denied it asked Saudi Arabia to ease tension with Washington over a disputed nuclear programme and Iraq but analysts said on Tuesday Tehran may be trying to prevent U.S.-allied Arab states lining up against it.
Iran seeks Saudi help to ease tensions with U.S.
Reuters: Iran asked Saudi Arabia to help ease tensions between the Islamic Republic and the United States as Washington held out the possibility of “engagement” with Tehran if it changed tack in Iraq.
Bush warns Iran to keep clear of Iraq
AFP: A US failure in Iraq would empower Iran and threaten world peace, President George W. Bush said Sunday, warning Tehran that if any Iranians are caught in Iraq “we will deal with them.”
Iran says working with Iraq over U.S. arrests
Reuters: Iran said on Monday it was working with Iraqi officials on securing the release of five Iranians arrested by U.S. forces in Iraq last week and accused of running arms and money to Iraqi militants.
China’s CNPC to invest 3.6 billion dollars in Iran gas block
AFP: China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), the country’s biggest oil producer, will invest 3.6 billion dollars to develop a block in Iran’s offshore gas field, state media reported Monday.
Iranian president arrives in Ecuador
AFP: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in Ecuador late Sunday, as he continued his Latin American tour aimed at winning new friends for his beleaguered country.
