Places | Iran

2012-02-04: Headlines

• RTE.ie: Iran calls on EU to reverse oil import ban 2012-02-04

  Iran's oil minister said the Islamic state would not retreat from its nuclear programme even if its crude oil exports grind to a halt, the official IRNA news agency reported today. | However he also called on the European Union, which accounted for a quarter of Iranian crude oil sales in the third quarter of 2011, to review its decision last week to bank Iranian oil imports.

• BusinessWeek: Khamenei Vows Iran Won't Back Down as US Differs With Israel 2012-02-04

  Iran's leader said it won't back down in the confrontation over its nuclear program, as the U.S. and Israel disagreed publicly over timing for a potential military attack.

• Reuters: Iran says oil ban will not halt nuclear work 2012-02-04

  TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's oil minister said the Islamic state would not retreat from its nuclear program even if its crude oil exports grind to a halt, the official IRNA news agency reported on Saturday. | But he also called on the European Union, which accounted for a quarter of Iranian crude oil sales in the third quarter of 2011, to review its decision last week to bank Iranian oil imports from July 1.

• Iranian Students News Agency: Iran envoy: Ignoring Afghans' will, not in favor of int'l community 2012-02-04

  BaniComm Co.: TEHRAN (ISNA)-Iran's ambassador to Kabul Fada Hossein Maleki said ignoring the will of Afghan nation in peace talks is not in favor of the international community. Maleki referred to upcoming trilateral meeting of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan...

• Deutsche Welle: Iran begins war games in Strait of Hormuz 2012-02-04

  Iran has started military exercises, planned weeks in advance, in the narrow Strait of Hormuz. The exercises come after the West dispatched more warships to the region amid on-going tensions over Iran's nuclear program. DW-WORLD.DE: German and European news, analysis and multimedia from Deutsche Welle -

• Bloomberg: Khamenei Vows Iran Won't Abandon Nuclear Work as U.S. Differs With Israel 2012-02-04

  Iran€™s leader said it won€™t back down in the confrontation over its nuclear program, as the U.S. and Israel disagreed publicly over timing for a potential military attack. | Differences over how to stop Iran€™s nuclear activities were underscored by public comments this week by Israeli and U.S. defense officials. | Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Feb.

• Straits Times: Iran threatens retaliation over oil embargo 2012-02-04

  Iran's supreme leader threatened on Friday to retaliate against the West for sanctions, a day after a United States (US) newspaper said defense secretary Leon Panetta believed Israel was likely to bomb Iran within months to stop it building a nuclear bomb.

• Islamic Republic News Agency: Oil Minister: Iran not seeking tensions in region 2012-02-04

  Islumic Republic News Agency: Addressing a press conference, he said the West is well aware of the fact that Iran was facing very difficult conditions in oil production and exports during 1980-88 war with Iraq but managed to overcome them. | Condemning sanctions against Iran's oil exports, he said many countries have very good trade ties with Iran.

• Press TV: Iran launches mass-production of cruise missile 2012-02-04

  Zafar is a radar-controlled, short range torpedo with the capability to destroy small and medium targets with high precession...

• Kipp Report: Iran Raps OPEC Members Offering To Replace Its Oil 2012-02-04

  With the Oscar Nominations released, Kipp takes a look at the money behind the top 9 nominees for Best Film. 1 in 5 people said they felt that managers in the UAE 'rarely listens to employees.' Check out our infographic to find out more about corporate...

• Trend.az: Foreigners invest $2 bln in Iran's oil and gas industry despite sanctions 2012-02-04

  News on the website Trend.az marked as, is available ONLY to subscribers of TREND International News Agency. | You can read the article by sending an SMS from your mobile phone. | To obtain the password, send a message to .SMS costs €” . | Attention!Pay attention to the format of the message and the space between words. All the letters are in latin. In case of error, the service is still considered to be paid.

• Trend.az: Iran to become a space power 2012-02-04

  Iran will become a space power in the near future, country's space agency chief Hamid Fazeli said.

• Trend.az: Oil Minister: Iran can stop oil exports today 2012-02-04

  News on the website Trend.az marked as, is available ONLY to subscribers of TREND International News Agency. | You can read the article by sending an SMS from your mobile phone. | To obtain the password, send a message to .SMS costs €” . | Attention!Pay attention to the format of the message and the space between words. All the letters are in latin. In case of error, the service is still considered to be paid.

• Press TV: Parliamentary election in Iran (III) 2012-02-04

  There's less than one month left until Iran's parliamentary elections. It'll be the thirtieth election held in the country since the Islamic revolution in 1979. The hope is that as always, the majority will take part and cast their ballot.

• The Voice of Russia: Iran starts drill in Strait of Hormuz 2012-02-04

  The Iranian navy has started a 10-day drill in international waters near the strategic oil route that passes through the Strait of Hormuz. | A similar exercise in December, dubbed "Velayat 90", ended with a series of missile launches. Shortly afterwards the Western countries threatened to impose a ban on the import of Iranian oil. Tehran responded by a threat to cut off the strategic Strait of Hormuz a hefty 40%

• Press TV: Sweden dismisses war against Iran as 'stupidity' 2012-02-04

  What you can achieve by military action is further military action, and a further militarization of the conflict that is going to work to the determent of what we are seeking to achieve.

• French Tribune: Iran Launches Its First Earth-Observing Satellite 2012-02-04

  It has been reported that Iran has successfully launched Earth-observing satellite into the orbit. It has been reported that this particular mission was the first successful mission of the country. Last year, the country tries to put a monkey in space but it failed because of some technical reasons. | The efforts of a student of Sharif University of Technology helped in designing the satellite.

• Albany Times Union: Iran begins new military exercises in south 2012-02-04

  State media announced new maneuvers in southern Iran involving ground forces, but it was not immediately clear whether they were part of the planned naval training missions scheduled for this month or a separate operation. Last month, Iran's navy wrapped up 10 days of exercises in the Gulf, but the Revolutionary Guard €” which is directly under control of the supreme leader €” represents a significantly stronger military force and controls...

• New Straits Times: Iran to stop oil exports to certain European countries 2012-02-04

  TEHRAN: Iran's Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi said Saturday that Iran will definitely stop its oil exports to certain European countries, Xinhua news agency reported. Qasemi did not identify the countries but his remarks came after the European Union (EU)

• Kipp Report: EU Planning Sanctions Against Iran Telecoms Sector 2012-02-04

  European Union governments could ban the sales of some telecommunications equipment to Iran in the coming months under plans for new sanctions discussed by EU experts in Brussels. | EU diplomats said on Friday the bloc's 27 governments have reached an agreement in principle to target equipment that could be used by the Iranian authorities for monitoring of anti-government dissent.

• Baltimore Sun: Nearing a decision on Iran 2012-02-04

  In interviews, Mr. Romney has spoken about tougher sanctions, but it's been difficult to consider the candidates' positions on Iran -- or much else -- with the childish talk about who is the bigger liar. | James Clapper, director of national intelligence, testified Tuesday before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Mr.

• Clarksville Leaf Chronicle: COLUMN: Nearing an Iran decision 2012-02-04

  One of several casualties of the vitriolic name-calling between Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich is what to do about Iran. | In interviews, Romney has spoken about tougher sanctions, but it’s been difficult to consider the candidates’ positions on Iran – or much else – with the childish talk about who is the bigger liar.

2012-02-03: Headlines

• RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty: Speculation Rife Over Israeli Plans On Iran 2012-02-03

  Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on February 2 cited "a wide understanding in the world that if the sanctions do not achieve the desired goal of stopping the [Iranian] military nuclear program, there will be a need to consider taking action.

• New Statesman: Has Clegg broken his own manifesto pledge on Iran? 2012-02-03

  Lib Dem leader ignores manifesto pledge explicitly opposing military action against Iran. | Clegg's party's 2010 manifesto declared: "[W]e oppose military action against Iran". Photograph: Getty Images. | His assertion that no options should be taken "off the table" is surprising because unlike Labour and the Conservatives, the Lib Dems explicitly opposed military action in their election manifesto.

• IsraCast: Israel to Soon Strike Iran? 2012-02-03

  Cabinet Minister Moshe Yaalon: 'Israel Can Take Out Iran's Underground Nuclear Sites - Iran Will Be Stopped One Way Or Other' | No one should have any doubt about Israel launching a military strike to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. That was the message loud and clear from Israeli civilian and military decision-makers who addressed the annual Herzliya Conference on Feb.2nd.

• Reuters: Brent steady above $112 on Iran; US jobs data eyed 2012-02-03

  Brent crude held above $112 on Friday as reports that Israel could strike Iran in the spring heightened already simmering tensions in the region. | The market was held back by caution ahead of key U.S. jobs data, which with dragging talks on Greek debt saw Asian shares and the euro weaken. | "The oil market is getting driven on a headline by headline basis coming out of the Middle East,"

• Trend.az: Iran's ships stopped from shipping Ukrainian grain 2012-02-03

  Traders are no longer booking cargoes on Iranian ships to transport grain exports from Ukraine because of difficulties with payments following European Union sanctions on Iran, traders said on Wednesday, Reuters reported. "The issue has nothing...

• Reuters Africa: S.Africa's MTN tumbles on news of potential Iran suit 2012-02-03

  Shares of South Africa's MTN Group tumbled nearly 4 percent in early trade on Friday, after it said it faces a potential lawsuit from Turkey's Turkcell over its licence in Iran.

• National Post: Iran is an 'urgent' nuclear threat: CSIS 2012-02-03

  Stewart Bell: Iran fired its 200-kilometre-range ground-to-sea missile on the last day of navy war games in the Strait of Hormuz on Jan. 2. | A Top Secret Canadian intelligence assessment has concluded that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons capability, adding weight to the growing international isolation of Tehran as UN inspectors push to investigate what Iran claims is a peaceful nuclear program.

• Iran Focus: Iran: Stop holding reporters' relatives hostage 2012-02-03

  Keywords: (New York) - The Iranian government has been intimidating and detaining relatives and friends of foreign-based Persian-language journalists to obtain information or silence them, Human Rights Watch said today. A family member of a BBC reporter whom...

• Journal of Turkish Weekly: US Says Syria's Assad Turns to Iran to Keep Power 2012-02-03

  US officials say Iran is increasingly active in backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's campaign of violence against his own people. As opposition attacks against the Syrian government grow, US officials say Damascus increasingly seeks help...

• Journal of Turkish Weekly: Merkel Pushes China on Iran 2012-02-03

  German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged China yesterday to use its influence to persuade Iran to give up its nuclear program. Merkel, who is expected to make the case for tighter sanctions on Iran originally proposed by the United States and designed...

• Journal of Turkish Weekly: Israeli Minister Says Military Action May Be Needed Against Iran 2012-02-03

  Israel's defense minister says there is growing international awareness that military action against Iran's nuclear program will have to be considered. Ehud Barak told a security conference on February 2 that world leaders were increasingly realizing...

• Outcome Magazine: Israel's leaders stoke fears of Iran 2012-02-03

  Concerns that Israel might decide to go it alone were fueled this week when hard-line Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Yaalon, a former military chief of staff, declared that all Iran's nuclear facilities are vulnerable to airstrikes.

• NOW LEBANON: IAEA's Iran visit anything but “good,” diplomats say 2012-02-03

  The UN nuclear agency's trip to Iran was not as "good" as its chief inspector described this week, with real pressure now on Tehran for the next visit later this month, diplomats and analysts said. International Atomic Energy Agency chief inspector...

• HeraldNet: 'A Separation': Complicated study of human foibles in Iran 2012-02-03

  From a single moment of anger, a world of devastating complications grows: This is A Separation, a powerful Iranian film of Dickensian detail. The movie earned two Oscar nominations last week, for foreign-language film and original screenplay...

• Montreal Gazette: Canada plays dangerous game with stance on Iran 2012-02-03

  The wizened mullahs who rule Iran are odious and unhinged. But are they suicidal?

• Colombo Page: * US official in Sri Lanka to discuss Iran oil sanctions 2012-02-03

  Feb 03, Colombo: Luke Bronin, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of the Treasury arrived in Sri Lanka Thursday with a four-member delegation. | The Deputy Assistant Secretary is in the island to hold discussions with Sri Lankan government officials on how the U.S. sanctions imposed on Iran will affect Sri Lanka and the available options regarding the sanctions.

• Tucson Citizen: Israel warns of airstrikes against Iran nuclear sites 2012-02-03

  JERUSALEM – Israeli leaders Thursday delivered one of the bluntest warnings to date of possible airstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites, adding to the anxiety in Western capitals that a surprise attack by Israel could spark a broader military conflict in the Middle East.

• Iran Focus: Iran-Turkey ties under increasing strain from Mideast Sunni-Shiite divide 2012-02-03

  By Emre Peker Turkey's ties with Iran are under growing strain as the countries split on sectarian lines over Middle East conflicts, depriving the Islamic republic of an ally against western nuclear pressure. Turkey hosts opposition groups seeking...

• Trend.az: Iran's Chabahar to host ECO investment conference 2012-02-03

  News on the website Trend.az marked as, is available ONLY to subscribers of TREND International News Agency. | You can read the article by sending an SMS from your mobile phone. | To obtain the password, send a message to .SMS costs €” . | Attention!Pay attention to the format of the message and the space between words. All the letters are in latin. In case of error, the service is still considered to be paid.

• China Daily: Iran sends new satellite into orbit 2012-02-03

  TEHRAN - Iran on Friday successfully launched an observation satellite into orbit under a presidential decree, said the country's Press TV. The spacecraft, named Navid (Herald), weighs 50 kilograms and can take pictures in low attitudes of about 250...

• Tehran Times: Iran launches newest satellite into space 2012-02-03

  TEHRAN – A newest domestically produced satellite was launched into space on Friday morning on the order of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The research satellite, called Navid-e Elm and San'at (promise of science and technology), was manufactured...

• PakistanToday.com.pk: Iran more than doubles defence budget 2012-02-03

  TEHRAN - Iran plans to more than double military spending over the coming 12 months, according to an annual budget proposal by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad presented to parliament and announced on his official website on Thursday.

• Newstrack India: Panetta believes Israel just months from striking Iran 2012-02-03

  Washington, Feb.3 (ANI): U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta believes that Israel is just months away from striking Iran, even as the latter continues with its underground nuclear program. | Fox News quoted Panetta as telling the Washington Post that he was worried that Israel may decide to attack Iran as early as this spring. | According to the report, the U.S. Central Command has been planning for the possibility of the U.S.

• Press TV: Iran actively pursuing fate of Iranians nabbed in Syria 2012-02-03

  The Iranian Embassy is in constant contact with Syrian officials and is pursuing the immediate release of the abductees.

2012-02-02: Headlines

• Motley Fool UK: Iran May Ignite A Global Explosion: Part 2 2012-02-02

  David Lee Smith: Iran's lack of neighborliness, along with Sunni-Shiite hatred, could set off an explosion.

• Reuters India: Germany's Merkel urges China to use influence on Iran. Full Article 2012-02-02

  By Lucy Hornby and Andreas Rinke BEIJING (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday urged China to use its influence to persuade Iran to give up its nuclear programme, at the start of a three-day visit when she will also seek China's...

• Reuters Africa: Germany's Merkel urges China to use influence on Iran 2012-02-02

  By Lucy Hornby and Andreas Rinke BEIJING (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday urged China to use its influence to persuade Iran to give up its nuclear programme, at the start of a three-day visit when she will also seek China's...

• vestnik kavkaza: Conflict around Iran will not affect relations with Armenia 2012-02-02

  The tensions around Iran would not affect its ties with Armenia, Sayed Ali Saygan, Iranian Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Armenia, said, News Armenia reports. | Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan visited Iran in late March 2011. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in Yerevan in late December 2011. | The ambassador emphasized that the two states have numerous economic projects they continue realizing.

• Journal of Turkish Weekly: Iran More Than Doubles 2012 Budget for Defense 2012-02-02

  President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad predicted yesterday that Iran's economy would grow eight percent over the next 12 months despite severe Western sanctions, as he presented his government's annual budget to parliament. Iran's defense spending would more...

• TwoCircles.net: Festival brings Iran, Afghan puppet traditions to India 2012-02-02

  Ishara International Puppet Festival is showcasing the contemporary genres of puppetry around the world and the way the tradition has evolved over time. | "It focuses on new contemporary work from India and abroad as a platform to further multimedia arts in the country." | The festival spread across the capital and NCR opened Wednesday at the Epicentre, a culture hub in Gurgaon with a show, "Hamara Circus" by Md.

• Zawya (registration): Russia urges West to change approach to Iran 2012-02-02

  Denouncing the West's attitude toward Iran, he said some countries were trying to isolate Iran without considering the negative consequences of such a measure. | Lavrov said such an approach would cause unpredictable troubles in international relations. | Pointing to certain countries' attempts to isolate Hamas in occupied lands over recent years, he said unfortunately Iran and Syria are being treated in the same way.

• Deutsche Welle: Merkel calls on China to pressure Iran on nuclear issues 2012-02-02

  On a visit to the Chinese capital, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called on Beijing to use its influence to steer Iran away from its nuclear weapon ambitions. Merkel is at the start of a three-day trip to China. DW-WORLD.DE: German and European news, analysis and multimedia from Deutsche Welle -

• RTT News: IAEA Sets New Date For 'Intensified' Nuke Talks With Iran 2012-02-02

  2/2/2012 2:44 AM ET (RTTNews) - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said that it will hold another round of talks on Iran's disputed nuclear program in Tehran on February 21-22. | "The Agency is committed to intensifying dialog. It remains essential to make progress on substantive issues,"

• Fars News Agency: INIC Makes Effort to Standardize Education of Nanotechnology Concepts in Iran 2012-02-02

  Keywords: All Stories | Search | Contact us | INIC Makes Effort to Standardize Education of Nanotechnology Concepts in Iran | TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council is due to hold an examination to evaluate the capability to teach...

• Juneau Empire: Parnell wants Alaska divested from companies in business with Iran 2012-02-02

  Gov. Sean Parnell is calling for the divestment of state investments in companies that either do business in Iran or with Iran's ruling government. | Parnell sent letters this week urging a "policy of divestiture" to the executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., the state Revenue commissioner and the chair of the Alaska Retirement Management Board.

• Press TV: Ahmadinejad presents draft budget bill to Iran's Majlis 2012-02-02

  The aim of the budget is to reach an economic growth of eight percent, increase the share of productivity growth and decrease gap between classes." Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has presented the draft of the budget bill for the next Iranian...

• Windsor Star: Nuclear inspectors to go back to Iran 2012-02-02

  Senior UN nuclear inspectors plan another trip to Iran soon after holding what both sides described as good talks on the Islamic state's disputed atomic program. The talks were a rare direct dialogue in the international standoff, which has worsened...

• Chicago Tribune: Nearing a decision on Iran 2012-02-02

  Tribune Media Services: One of several casualties of the vitriolic name-calling between Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich is what to do about Iran. In interviews, Romney has spoken about tougher sanctions, but it's been difficult to consider...

• Al-Bawaba: In fear of attack, Iran boosts military spending 2012-02-02

  Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad presented a new budget to the Majlis on Wednesday. The $416 billion budget will increase military spending by 127 percent. According to the Mehr News Agency, the total budget has grown by 21000 billion rials...

• The Local.de: Merkel urges China to press Iran over nukes 2012-02-02

  German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Beijing Thursday to put pressure on Iran over its controversial nuclear programme as she began an official visit to China on Thursday. | Hail in Hamburg, fog in Frankfurt, baking in Berlin...

• News.Az: 'Azerbaijan intimidated by fairytales on flows of refugees from Iran' 2012-02-02

  News.Az interviews political scientist, Oriental studies expert Zardusht Alizade. | Goy Gol, Gance is one of the major Tourist Attractions in Gance that is widely frequented by visitors from all over the world.

• Local 10: US-Iran-Nuclear-Report 2012-02-02

  Internet Broadcasting: The chairman of the House intelligence committee, Congressman Mike Rogers, says the U.S. military needs to do more to "scare" Iran away from trying to build nuclear weapons. Rogers says he's not saying the U.S. should bomb Iran. | A passenger ship with about 350 people on board sunk off the east coast of Papua New Guinea. Officials say more than 200 survivors have been rescued from the sea.

• Yahoo! Contributors Network: Merkel calls on China to use influence with Iran 2012-02-02

  Keywords: €” German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Thursday on China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, to use its influence to persuade Tehran to renounce possible nuclear weapons ambitions. | Appearing at a government think tank, Merkel said she has discussed Iran with Chinese President Hu Jintao but acknowledged Beijing opposes an oil embargo in the dispute over its nuclear intentions.

• Platts: Iran to accept 45% payment in rupees for oil exports to India: report 2012-02-02

  Iran has agreed to accept 45% of the payment for its oil exports to India in rupees after recent negotiations with Indian officials during their visit to Tehran, the daily Indian Express reported Thursday quoting unnamed sources.

• Zee News: Israeli commando unit to target Iran N-programme 2012-02-02

  Jerusalem: An elite unit of Israeli commandos called the 'Depth Corps' has reportedly been created to stop Iran's nuclear weapons programme. According to the Mirror, Mossad hit squads had already carried out assassinations of key Iranian scientists...

• RT: Merkel seeking euro-savior and Iran-buster in China 2012-02-02

  Angela Merkel says China's help in the eurozone would boost not only the debt-ridden region, but the global economy in general. The German Chancellor is paying a three-day visit to Beijing, seeking economic and political support.

• News.Az: 'Events around Iran not to affect Armenian-Iranian relations' 2012-02-02

  We have always been and will be with our Armenian friends, Iranian envoy says. | Recent developments around Iran will not have any negative impact on the Armenian-Iranian relations, said Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Iran to Armenia Seyed Ali Sagayan. | "We have always been and will be with our Armenian friends, and this is evidenced by mutual high level visits of the presidents of Iran and Armenia", said Sagayan.

• WMTW Portland: Intelligence Chair Urges 'Scaring' Iran 2012-02-02

  Pam Benson CNN Senior National Security Producer: Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Michigan, made the comment in response to a question about a new report by the Bipartisan Policy Center that says the United States must put more teeth into its threat to use military power to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions. | In an interview with CNN, Rogers said more needs to be done: "I'm not saying we ought to bomb Iran, but you almost have to scare them, you have to frighten them to get to the right place."

The spectre of Operation Ajax

Britain accused him of violating the company's legal rights and orchestrated a worldwide boycott of Iran's oil that plunged the country into financial crisis. The British government tried to enlist the Americans in planning a coup, an idea originally rebuffed by President Truman. But when Dwight Eisenhower took over the White House, cold war ideologues - determined to prevent the possibility of a Soviet takeover - ordered the CIA to embark on its first covert operation against a foreign government. [more]