AP: A U.S. institute tracking Iran’s nuclear program says recent satellite images it has analyzed show further major alterations of a military site that the U.N. has long tried to access to follow up suspicions that Tehran may have used it in attempts to develop atomic arms.
US Institute: Iran asphalts possible nuke site
The truth about the new Iranian president
Roll Call: Among the ways of measuring a new leader are his approach to the people he is beholden to and the choices he makes for roles of great responsibility. In the case of Hassan Rouhani, the new president of Iran, the signs are not encouraging.
Thai court jails Iranian pair over Bangkok bomb plot
AFP: Two Iranian men were sentenced to between 15 years and life Thursday for their parts in a botched bomb plot last year in Bangkok that ended with one of them having his legs blown off.
Iran’s envoy to U.N. nuclear agency to leave post
Reuters: Iran’s envoy to the U.N. atomic agency will leave his post next month, in what may be a further sign of new President Hassan Rouhani’s desire for a fresh start with the outside world over its disputed nuclear program.
Iranian jailed for distributing Bibles: Vatican media
AFP: An Iranian Christian convert has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for distributing Bibles in his home country, the Vatican missionary news agency Fides reported on Wednesday.
Australia adamant boatpeople policy working
AFP: Australia remained adamant Wednesday that its asylum-seeker policy was working, despite another boat sinking and nearly 3,000 people arriving since the ruling Labor party announced a new hardline stance last month.
India seeks to break deadlock with Iran over tanker
Wall Street Journal: Indian government officials will meet Iranian diplomats in New Delhi on Wednesday in an attempt to resolve a dispute over an Indian oil tanker that Iranian naval authorities detained last week, alleging that the ship was polluting Iranian waters, an Indian executive said.
China’s July Iran crude imports down 12.6 pct on yr – customs
Reuters: China’s average daily crude imports from Iran fell 12.6 percent in July from the same month last year, data from the General Administration of Customs showed on Wednesday.
Cornered Hamas looks back at Iran, Hezbollah
Reuters: Stunned by turmoil in neighboring Egypt and starved of funds, the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas is looking to repair damaged ties with its traditional Middle East allies, Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah party.
Iran boycotts people smuggling talks
Daily Telegraph: Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa has downplayed the significance of the failure of Iran to turn up to people smuggling talks in Jakarta. The meeting, established under the so-called Bali Process, was aimed at deepening cooperation, Dr Natalegawa said.
