Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Oct. 20 A senior Iranian cleric warned the West on Friday not to escalate tensions in the region by pressuring the Islamic Republic to abandon its nuclear pursuit.
Rafsanjani: Iran will not retreat in nuke row with West
Rafsanjani: Iran will not retreat in nuke row with West
Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Oct. 20 A senior Iranian cleric warned the West on Friday not to escalate tensions in the region by pressuring the Islamic Republic to abandon its nuclear pursuit.
Japanese PM promises support to US on Iran
AFP: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday promised US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to support efforts to prevent Iran from building an atom bomb, despite his country’s close trade ties with Tehran, an aide said.
Hubble-bubble brings toil and trouble in Iran smoking purge
The Guardian: For centuries its rich aromas and ornate design have formed an integral part of Persian culture. But now the hubble-bubble, or water pipe, is set to disappear from Iran’s traditional restaurants and tea-houses as part of a stringent anti-smoking drive by the government.
Israel says Iran must pay if no nuclear deal agreed
Reuters: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Thursday there would be a “price to pay” if Iran does not agree a deal with world powers on its nuclear programme.
China says it will play “constructive role” on Iran
Reuters: China told U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Friday it would play a “constructive role” in resolving the standoff over Iran’s nuclear programme.
U.S., EU partners to seek travel, asset sanctions on Iran at UN
Bloomberg: The U.S., Britain, France and Germany are close to agreement on a United Nations draft resolution that would impose a travel ban and asset freeze on officials in Iran’s nuclear program, and bar acquisition of atomic-bomb or missile technology, diplomats said.
Proposed Iran sanctions to be circulated at U.N. soon
Reuters: European nations are expected to begin circulating proposed sanctions against Iran at the United Nations shortly, but Western diplomats said on Thursday only a second or third round of penalties was likely to force a halt in Tehran’s nuclear work.
Iran’s Ahmadinejad blasts Israel, stands firm on nuclear
AFP: A defiant President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad insisted Thursday that Iran will not back down “an inch” over its nuclear programme despite the growing threat of sanctions, and fired off another verbal attack on Israel, calling it a fraudulent regime that cannot survive.
Mr. R took 1.5 billion dollars from Irans state funds – daily
Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Oct. 19 An individual identified only as Mr. R. has amassed an enormous personal wealth by taking out the equivalent of 1.5 billion dollars in loans from Irans state banks, a semi-official daily close to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote in its Tuesday edition.
