Asia Times: As a Persian proverb says, “Never two without three.” After receiving two hard and insulting slaps in one
week by the conservative-controlled majlis, or parliament, beleaguered Iranian President Mohammad Khatami suffered
a personal blow when one of his closest allies and oldest friends decided to leave the cabinet.
Iran’s hardliners tighten their squeeze
Russia will continue its nuclear energy cooperation with Iran
AP: A senior Russian official says his country is going to continue its nuclear energy cooperation with Iran in spite of concern that Tehran could be trying to develop atomic weapons.
Interfax news agency reports that the deputy foreign minister says Russia will comply with commitments it made in Iran.
Iran Urged to Suspend Uranium Enrichment
Associated Press: U.N. nuclear agency chief Mohammed ElBaradei on Thursday renewed his calls to Iran to fully suspend all uranium enrichment-related activities, after
Tehran admitted it has converted a few tons of uranium into gas.
Iran appoints new air force chief
Associated Press: IRAN appointed a US-trained fighter pilot as its new air force chief, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported today.
General Karim Ghavami replaced General Reza Pardis. IRNA gave no reason for the switch, made by Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran will keep nuclear technology “at any cost”: former president
AFP: Iran will hang on to its sensitive nuclear technology “at
any cost” despite pressure from the United States and the Europeans, powerful former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said Thursday.
“The United States and Europe absolutely do not want us to possess nuclear technology but we are determined … ”
Iran gets tough on foreign-language advertising
Middle East Online: Iranian traders were given a stern warning Wednesday to stop using only foreign languages in advertising, company logos or shop signs, an official in the ministry of culture and Islamic guidance said.
“There is a law dating back to 1996 that aims to preserve the Farsi language, ” …
Renault to produce cars in Iran
BBC: French carmaker Renault has unveiled plans to build its new budget car, the Dacia Logan, in Iran. The car is designed to help Renault boost its sales in emerging markets.
The Logan will be built in Iran by Renault Pars, a joint venture with Iran’s Industrial Development and Renovation Organisation (IDRO).
19 armed Iranian agents arrested in Iraq
Iran Focus: Baghdad, Oct. 6 Nineteen armed agents of Irans Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) were detained by Iraqi security forces, Iraqi security officials said. The gunmen were arrested in the Iraqi province of Babil carrying large quantities of illegal drugs.
The 19 men were part of a group of 26 people who had illegally crossed the Iranian border into Iraq during the Shiite religious festivities marking the birthday of the twelfth Shiite imam …
19 armed Iranian agents arrested in Iraq
Iran Focus: Baghdad, Oct. 6 Nineteen armed agents of Irans Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) were detained by Iraqi security forces, Iraqi security officials said. The gunmen were arrested in the Iraqi province of Babil carrying large quantities of illegal drugs.
The 19 men were part of a group of 26 people who had illegally crossed the Iranian border into Iraq during the Shiite religious festivities marking the birthday of the twelfth Shiite imam …
2 Iranian Brothers Held 3 Years May Be Freed on Bail
Los Angeles Times: Two of four Iranian brothers jailed three years ago because of their alleged ties to a terrorist group may be released on bail while they pursue appeals in their asylum cases, an appellate court has ordered.
The other two brothers, however, must remain locked up because they failed to appeal the government’s refusal to grant them asylum, the court said.
