Reuters: BNP Paribas, France’s biggest listed bank, has set aside $1.1 billion for a possible fine for breaching U.S. sanctions on countries including Iran, the latest bank to take a hit to profit from a legal investigation.
BNP sets aside $1.1 billion for possible U.S. sanctions fine
Iranian satellite case in NY takes complex turn
AP: Federal agents intercepted the wealthy Iranian entrepreneur at a U.S. airport, questioned him about his business and charged him with illegal export of American-made satellite equipment to his native country.
White House keeping tabs on who views secret Iran deal
Washington Free Beacon: The White House is keeping close tabs on who has read the text of the recently signed Iran nuclear deal, a document that has been marked as “unclassified,” yet is being kept in a highly secured location.
Iraq: Execution-style killings signal return of Shiite death squads
UPI: The growing number of dead men found in the streets and canals of Baghdad, mostly shot in the head, some bearing the marks of torture, is stirring fears Shiite death squads are back in business.
Ros-Lehtinen demands Iran deal be made public
The Hill: The chairwoman of the House panel on the Middle East Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in a letter to the president said Iran appears to be moving ahead with its nuclear program while claiming to be abiding by the deal, which went into effect on Jan. 20.
IMF sees deep weaknesses in Iran economy after sanctions
AFP: The International Monetary Fund said Wednesday that Iran’s economy faces deep structural weaknesses as intensified nuclear sanctions have added to other domestic challenges to the government.
Total CEO defends France’s trade overtures to Iran
Bloomberg: Total SA (FP) Chief Executive Officer Christophe de Margerie defended a visit by a French trade delegation last week to Iran as a way for companies to gain a competitive edge should sanctions be lifted.
Iran must embrace religious pluralism
New York Times: Zoroastrianism was Iran’s primary religion until the mid-seventh century, when Islam was imposed on the country by conquering Arabs. Many Zoroastrians fled to India to avoid forced conversion and discrimination.
Russian minister plans Iran trip amid oil deal reports
AFP: Russia’s economy chief on Wednesday announced plans to visit Iran amid reports of the two sides nearing a mammoth oil-for-goods deal that has raised consternation in the United States.
U.S. bluffing on military option, Iran says
UPI: U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry each said on separate occasions last month the military option was still on the table should Iran renege on the terms of an interim nuclear agreement reached in November.
