Washington Times: A recent deal between Iran and Venezuela provides for the exploitation of Venezuela’s strategic minerals, prompting opposition figures to warn that President Hugo Chavez’s government could be planning to provide Tehran with uranium for its nuclear program.
Iranian pact with Venezuela stokes fears of uranium sales
Iranian tango
Washington Times: The Iranian tango, taking one step back then two steps forward, has resumed as the Islamic republic made clear its intentions to move ahead with its nuclear development program, come what may.
U.S. probably can stop Iran without force – senators
Reuters: The United States probably can stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons without military action, but use of force, subject to congressional approval, is still an option, U.S. lawmakers said on Sunday.
Iran loses Russian backing after rejecting nuclear deal
The Independent: Iran has lost crucial support from its powerful ally Russia after the Iranian foreign ministry said Tehran is no longer considering a Russian compromise aimed at resolving the dispute over Iran’s nuclear threat.
Straw to urge greater freedom for Iranians
Reuters: The government will call on Monday for an expansion of global broadcasting in Iran and more material in Farsi published on the Internet in an effort to support Iranians’ aspirations for greater freedom.
As Syria’s influence in Lebanon wanes, Iran moves in
New York Times: Nearly a year ago, not long after the assassination of Rafik Hariri, who was twice prime minister of Lebanon, Syrian troops withdrew from Lebanon, unleashing a wave of patriotism here that prompted many to say that the Lebanese might finally be able to take control of their destiny.
U.S. campaign is aimed at Iran’s leaders
Washington Post: As the dispute over its nuclear program arrives at the U.N. Security Council today, Iran has vaulted to the front of the U.S. national security agenda amid Bush administration plans for a sustained campaign against the ayatollahs of Tehran.
U.S. denies asking for Iranian help in Iraq
Reuters: The U.S. ambassador in Baghdad denied on Sunday seeking Iran’s help to calm violence in Iraq.
Frenchman and German appeal Iran illegal entry sentence
AFP: An appeals court in southern Iran on Sunday began hearing the case of a German and Frenchman sentenced to 18 months in jail for illegally entering Iranian waters in a fishing boat.
Iran cleric says Ahmadinejad thwarted U.S.-Zionist plot
Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Mar. 12 A close ally of former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami and a chief architect of Irans sponsorship of terrorist groups has defended remarks by hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad against Israel and the Holocaust, the state-run Mehr news agency reported on Sunday.
