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Netanyahu urges action against Iran
Obama reassures Israel on Iran, but urges caution
Washington - US President Barack Obama Sunday pledged that his country would not tolerate development of a nuclear weapon in Iran, but warned that increasing warlike rhetoric was pushing up the price of oil and, thus, helping Iran finance its nuclear programme.
Obama seeks to reassure Israel over Iran
Washington - US President Barack Obama Sunday pledged that his country would not tolerate development of a nuclear weapon in Iran, but warned that increasing warlike rhetoric was pushing up the price of oil and, thus, helping Iran finance its nuclear programme.
Minister: Israel to decide independently on Iran action
Tel Aviv - Israel will decide independently whether to use military force against Iran, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Sunday - a day before the Israeli premier was due to meet with US President Barack Obama.
PREVIEW: Netanyahu heads for Washington amid Iran speculation tsunami
Tel Aviv - One issue will be at the centre of Benjamin Netanyahu's upcoming White House meeting, 'and that is - of course - the continued strengthening of Iran and its nuclear programme.'
Iran urges international help for Syrian government
Tehran - Iran's foreign minister called on the international community to help the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, official news agency IRNA reported Tuesday.
Iran seeks UN condemnation of Koran-burning in Afghanistan
Geneva - The UN Human Rights Council should condemn the burning of holy muslim texts by US troops in Afghanistan, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said Monday at a meeting of the body in Geneva.
Iranians proud of foreign Oscar win, but officials reserved
Tehran - Many Iranians stayed up late to see film-maker Asghar Farhadi win an Oscar for best foreign language for A Separation, but official reaction was guarded Monday.
Foreign Film Oscar goes to Iran's The Separation
Los Angeles - The Foreign Language Oscar was awarded Sunday to The Separation.
Tehran rejects British charges of supplying Syria with weapons
Tehran - Tehran on Saturday rejected comments by British Prime Minister David Cameron that Iran was supplying the Syrian government with weapons to crack down on its opposition.
Malaysia moves to extradite Iranian bomb suspect to Thailand
Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia is moving to extradite an Iranian man suspected of involvement in a series of explosions in Bangkok last week, the home minister said Thursday.
Republican candidates blast Obama on Iran, Syria
Washington - The Republicans vying to face President Barack Obama in November elections blasted him in a debate late Wednesday for not going far enough on Iran and Syria.
Israel watching Iranian warships 'very closely'
Tel Aviv - Israel said Sunday it would watch the two Iranian warships which have docked in Syria 'very closely' in case they approached its waters.
Iranian warships dock at Syrian port after crossing Suez Canal
Tehran - Two Iranian warships docked Saturday at a Syrian port, the Iranian broadcaster Press TV reported.
Little expected to come of Pakistani-Iranian-Afghan summit
New Delhi - The usual cordialities were uttered, but it is unlikely any substantive progress was made at Friday's three-way summit attended by host Pakistan, its neighbours Iran and Afghanistan to discuss rising tensions in the region.
Iran trying to attack Israelis abroad, counter-terror bureau warns
Jerusalem - Iran and the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah are trying to target Israelis and Jews worldwide, Israel's Counter-Terrorism Bureau warned Friday, days after a series of attacks and attempted attacks in India, Georgia and Thailand.
Pakistan, Iran seek 'Afghan-led' peace as US criticized
Islamabad - Pakistan and Iran on Friday assured Afghan President Hamid Karzai that they would fully support him in an 'Afghan-led' peace process for creating stability in the war-torn country.
Pakistan, Iran assure Afghanistan of cooperation in peace process
Islamabad - Pakistan and Iran on Friday assured Afghan President Hamid Karzai that they would fully support him in an 'Afghan-led' peace process for creating stability in the war-torn country.
Thailand, Malaysia discuss extradition of Iranian bomb suspect
Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian and Thai authorities have discussed the possible extradition of an Iranian man suspected of involvement in blasts this week in Bangkok, the Malaysian home minister said Friday.
US sanctions Iranian intelligence ministry
Washington - The United States on Thursday announced sanctions against Iran's Intelligence and Security Ministry, citing its support of terrorist groups, human rights abuses in the country and support of the Syrian regime.
Iranian, Afghan presidents arrive in Pakistan for summit
Islamabad - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrived Thursday in Islamabad for a summit with Pakistan's leader that was expected to focus on regional security and peace talks in Afghanistan.
Afghan president arrives in Pakistan for trilateral summit
Islamabad - Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrived Thursday in Islamabad for a summit with the leaders of Iran and the host country that was expected to focus on the security situation and peace talks in Afghanistan.
UN asks Baghdad to begin relocation of Camp Ashraf residents
New York - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday asked the Iraqi government to begin 'without further delay' the resettlement of hundreds of Iranian exiles living in Camp Ashraf before the site is to be closed in April.
Report: Iran helping Syria to cope with sanctions
Tel Aviv - Iran has been helping Syria to cope with the international sanctions imposed for its crackdown on protesters and rebels, an Israeli newspaper reported Sunday, citing documents they say were obtained by the hacker group Anonymous.
Turkish energy minister visits Saudi Arabia
Istanbul - Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz plans to fly to Saudi Arabia on Saturday for meetings with Saudi Petroleum Ali Ibrahim Al-Naimi, Turkey's Energy Ministry announced Friday.
Iran confirms release of Iranian engineers in Syria
Tehran - Iran on Friday confirmed reports that seven Iranian engineers have been released by Syrian opposition groups after more than one month.
LEAD: Freed Iranians arrive in Turkey after Syrian kidnapping
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India, Iran reach arrangement on oil payments
New Delhi - India has reached an arrangement with Iran for payment for crude oil imports as US and European Union sanctions disrupted regular payment channels, news reports said Tuesday.
Azerbaijan, Iran gas flows to Turkey interrupted
Istanbul - The flow of natural gas from Azerbaijan to Turkey was halted on Tuesday because of technical problems, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said.
Tehran and Syrian rebels confirms 11 Iranians freed
Tehran/Beirut - Tehran and the opposition Syrian Free Army confirmed Tuesday that 11 Iranian nationals, kidnapped by the rebels in Syria earlier this month, had been released and handed over to the Turkish authorities.
Iran rejects charges by US national intelligence chief
Tehran - Iran on Friday rejected what it called 'baseless charges' by the head of US intelligence, who said Iran was the only country that might mount a terrorist attack on the United States.
Report: Gunmen kidnap 11 Iranian pilgrims in Syria
Beirut - Gunmen have kidnapped 11 Iranian pilgrims in Syria, Syrian state-run television on Wednesday quoted Iranian embassy officials in Damascus as saying.
US national intelligence chief: Iran considers attacks on US
Washington - Iran was singled out as the only individual country that poses a terrorist threat to the United States and its allies in a briefing Tuesday to Congress by the head of US intelligence.
Turkey takes Iran to court over gas imports
Istanbul - Turkey has opened a case against Iran at the International Chamber of Commerce court of arbitration, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz announced Tuesday.
Turkey will not block Iran oil imports, official says
Istanbul - Turkey will not bar Iran oil imports unless sanctions are imposed by the United Nations, an Energy Ministry spokesman told dpa Monday.
Israel hackers say they targeted six Iranian websites
Tel Aviv - Israeli hackers said Thursday they had targeted six Iranian websites, the latest instalment in an ongoing cyber-war between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli computer buffs.
EU sanctions to hit Iran's people not government
Tehran - The European Union sanctions to be imposed on Iran has been felt by ordinary Iranians even before they have been implemented, as the announcement of a halt to imports of Iranian oil and the blocking of the accounts of its central bank have wrought confusion on Tehran's markets.
Obama: 'No options off the table' on Iran
Washington - US President Barack Obama said he would 'take no options off the table' to keep Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
Hague says Iran oil embargo is aimed at avoiding conflict
London - The European Union oil embargo on Iran is aimed at reducing the risk of conflict and induce Iran to return to the negotiating table, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Tuesday.
EU: Iran could lose half of oil exports if Japan, Korea join ban
Brussels - Iran could lose up to half of its oil exports if the European Union succeeds in its quest to convince Japan and South Korea to join in an embargo, a senior diplomat from the bloc said Tuesday.
LEAD: Tehran warns EU embargo will have 'serious consequences'
Tehran - Tehran on Tuesday told the European Union it faces 'serious consequences' as a result of its decision to impose an embargo on Iranian oil, as the value of the national currency plummeted and the Foreign Ministry summoned the Danish ambassador.
Obama applauds EU oil embargo on Iran
Washington - US President Barack Obama late Monday greeted the European Union's approval of an oil embargo on Iran, saying they had demonstrated 'the unity of the international community' in tackling the threat of Iran's nuclear programme.
LEAD: US carrier passes through Strait of Hormuz without response
Washington - The US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln passed through the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Gulf despite threats from Iran.
Netanyahu: EU oil embargo on Iran 'step in right direction'
Tel Aviv - Israel welcomed Monday a European Union foreign ministers' agreement on an oil embargo against Iran, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called 'a step in the right direction.'
EU puts Iran in hot seat with 'unprecedented' oil embargo
Brussels - European Union foreign ministers approved an embargo on Iranian oil Monday, as part of 'unprecedented' sanctions meant to up the pressure on the Middle Eastern country over its disputed nuclear programme - a move that Tehran swiftly warned would backfire.
US welcomes latest round of EU sanctions against Iran
Washington - The United States on Monday welcomed the latest round of European Union sanctions against Iran, which include a ban on oil imports and a freeze on assets held by the Iranian central bank.
Cameron, Merkel, Sarkozy demand end to Iran nuclear activity
Paris - British Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday called on Iran to 'immediately' suspend its nuclear programme.
Germany calls for others to join EU's Iran oil embargo
Brussels - German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Monday called for other countries to join the European Union in its boycott of Iranian oil.
Russia critical of EU sanctions against Iran
Moscow - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was critical on Monday of planned new European Union sanctions against Iran, saying they would push Tehran away from the negotiating table and do little to increase regional security.
BACKGROUND: EU trade with Iran
Brussels - Iran provides a notable, but not decisive, quantity of oil to the European Union. Of the 896 million barrels of crude imported to the 27 EU member states in the first quarter of 2011, just 4.4 per cent came from Iran.
Israel welcomes European oil embargo on Iran
Tel Aviv - Israel Monday welcomed the European Union foreign ministers' agreement on an oil embargo against Iran.
Oil embargo will harm EU more than Iran, warns Tehran
Tehran - The oil embargo by the European Union on Iran's oil will harm the EU more than Iran, the head of the parliament's foreign policy commission said Monday.
EU slaps Iran with oil embargo over nuclear concerns
Brussels - European Union foreign ministers on Monday agreed an embargo on Iranian oil, paving the way for an immediate ban on new import contracts as part of a bid to up the pressure on Tehran over its disputed nuclear programme.
EU foreign ministers approve Iran oil embargo
Brussels - European Union foreign ministers on Monday agreed to ban the import of Iranian oil.
EU ambassadors okay Iran oil embargo; foreign ministers next
EU ambassadors okay Iran oil embargo; foreign ministers weigh issue
Brussels - European Union ambassadors on Monday agreed to an embargo on Iranian oil to up the pressure on Tehran over its nuclear programme, paving the way for the bloc's foreign ministers to take up the issue later in the day.
US carrier passes through Strait of Hormuz without response
Washington - The US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln passed through the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Gulf despite threats from Iran, media reports said Monday.
Sharp increase in death penalty in Iran, Human Rights Watch says
Cairo - There was a sharp increase in the use of the death penalty in Iran in 2011, and many more were likely to have been executed without official acknowledgement, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Sunday.
Government-backed Iranian TV channel ordered off air in Britain
London - State-backed Iranian news channel Press TV has had its licence revoked in Britain for being in breach of broadcasting rules, communications watchdog Ofcom said Friday.
LEAD: Greece still holding out on EU Iran oil embargo, diplomat says
Brussels - Greece still needs to be convinced to apply an oil embargo on Iran ahead of a European Union meeting next week to discuss new sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear activities, a senior diplomat from the bloc said Friday.
Greece last hold out to EU deal on Iran oil embargo, diplomat says
Brussels - Greece still needs to be convinced about the merits of oil sanctions on Iran ahead of a meeting of European Union foreign ministers next week, a senior diplomat from the bloc said Friday.
Japan requests US exempt its banks from Iran sanctions law
Tokyo - Japan asked a visiting US delegation Thursday to exempt Japanese financial institutions from new Washington-led sanctions on Iran over its disputed nuclear programme.
NATO missile defence not aimed against Iran, Turkey says
Brussels - The missile defence shield that NATO is developing under strong encouragement from the United States is not aimed against Iran, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu insisted on Wednesday.
OPEC president to visit Iran over Hormuz, oil tensions
Baghdad - The chairman of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will Thursday visit Iran in an attempt to defuse mounting tensions over Tehran's threat to block the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital international oil route in the Persian Gulf.
Tehran denies claims of Iranian arms shipments to Syrian regime
Tehran - Tehran on Tuesday denied France that the United Nations had uncovered evidence that Iran was arming the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Turkey warns Iran over gas prices
Istanbul - Turkey may take Iran to international arbitration if it does not agree to reduce the price at which it sells its natural gas, Turkish state news agency Anatolian reported.
Iran's cinema foundation hails Farhadi's Golden Globe award
Tehran - The Iranian cinema foundation Farabi on Monday congratulated Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi for having won an award at the Golden Globes, ISNA news agency reported.
France: UN has evidence of Iranian arms shipments to Damascus
Paris - A senior French official said Monday the United Nations has uncovered evidence that Iran is arming the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Britain does not rule out military action against Iran
London - Britain is not ruling out military action against Iran, but will try to ensure peaceful negotiations, Foreign Secretary William Hague said Sunday in an interview with Sky News.
LEAD: Growing consensus in EU for delaying Iran oil sanctions
Brussels - The European Union will likely delay by six months a decision to impose an oil embargo on Iran to give time for countries that are heavily dependent on Iranian oil imports to find alternative sources, EU diplomats said on Friday.
EU diplomats: Growing consensus for delaying oil sanctions on Iran
Brussels - The European Union will likely delay by six months a decision to impose an oil embargo on Iran to give time for countries that are heavily dependent on Iranian oil imports to find alternative sources, EU diplomats said on Friday.
Turkey will uphold UN sanctions, not EU sanctions, against Iran
Istanbul - Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said Thursday that his country was not seeking exemption from the planned new sanctions against Iran, which are expected to include an embargo on importing oil from Iran.
Ahmadinejad meets with the Castros, travels to Ecuador
Havana - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met with Cuban President Raul Castro and with his brother, historic Cuban leader Fidel, before heading off to Ecuador on Thursday for the last leg of his five-day Latin American tour.
Russia warns EU on Iran oil sanctions
Moscow - A top Kremlin official on Thursday warned Brussels not to support US calls for new sanctions against Iran's oil exports, saying European Union consumers would suffer.
Japan to cut Iran oil imports, minister tells US
Tokyo - Japanese Finance Minister Jun Azumi told visiting US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner Thursday that Japan would decrease Iranian crude oil imports in stages in accordance with US sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme.
LEAD: Japan to cut Iran oil imports, minister tells US treasury chief
Tokyo - Japanese Finance Minister Jun Azumi told visiting US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner Thursday that Japan would decrease Iranian crude oil imports in stages in accordance with US sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme.
Iran, currency, eurozone on agenda for US treasury chief in Japan
Tokyo - US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner was to meet Japanese leaders in Tokyo on Thursday and they were likely to discuss Iran's nuclear programme, eurozone debt problems and Japan's unilateral currency interventions.
Iran parliament speaker to visit Ankara
Istanbul - The speaker of the Iranian parliament, Ali Larijani, will arrive in Ankara Wednesday evening for talks with Turkish officials, a spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.
LEAD: Turkey seizes Iranian trucks allegedly shipping arms to Syria
Istanbul - Turkish customs officials impounded a fifth Iranian trucks on Wednesday, following four seized the previous day on suspicion of carrying military materials to Syria, state news agency Anatolian reported.
EU presidency: Gulf countries, Libya to replace Iran oil supplies
Copenhagen - Gulf countries and Libya are ready to fill the gap in European Union oil supplies that an embargo on Iran would leave, the EU presidency said on Wednesday.
Turkey seizes alleged Iranian arms shipment to Syria
Istanbul - Turkish customs officials have impounded four Iranian-registered trucks on suspicion of carrying 'military materials' to Syria, a foreign ministry official told dpa Wednesday.
France: Other producers set to fill in for Iranian oil post embargo
Paris - Several oil producing countries stand ready to increase their exports to the European Union if the EU imposes an oil embargo on Iran, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said Tuesday.
Chavez calls US expulsion of Venezuelan diplomat an 'outrage'
Caracas - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has slammed as 'an outrage' the US government decision to expel a Venezuelan diplomat from its territory.
EU meeting on Iran sanctions brought forward to January 23
Brussels - A European Union foreign ministers' meeting that is expected to approve fresh sanctions on Iran has been brought forward to January 23, diplomats said on Tuesday.
LEAD: Ahmadinejad, Chavez, call each other 'brother'
Caracas - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad met with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Monday in Caracas, at the start of a tour of Latin America that is also set to take him to Nicaragua, Cuba and Ecuador.
Ahmadinejad to meet with Chavez at start of Latin American tour
Caracas - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is scheduled to meet with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Monday in Caracas, at the start of a tour of Latin America that is also set to take him to Nicaragua, Cuba and Ecuador.
US expels Venezuela diplomat as Iran leader arrives in Caracas
Washington- The United States Sunday said it would expel a Venezuelan diplomat, the very same day that Caracas prepared to receive a visit from Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Amid growing spat, US rescues Iran boat from pirates
Washington - US Naval forces on Thursday rescued an Iranian fishing boat crew that pirates had held hostage for more than a month, adding a new twist to the escalating rhetoric between the US and Iran.
US warns Latin America not to tie itself to Iran
Washington - The United States on Friday urged Latin American countries not to strengthen ties with Iran as President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad prepares to visit the region.
US Navy rescues Iran fishing boat from pirates
Arabian Sea/Washington - US Naval forces on Thursday rescued an Iranian fishing boat crew that pirates had held hostage for several weeks, the US Navy reported on Friday.
No deal yet on Iranian oil embargo, EU sources says
Brussels - European Union nations have not yet struck a deal on an embargo of Iranian oil, a senior diplomat from the bloc said Thursday.
Pakistan to charge Iranian border guards with murder
Islamabad - Three Iranian border guards held in Pakistan for killing a civilian face murder charges after a meeting about their fate between officials of the two countries failed to achieve an agreement, police said on Wednesday.
Jordan Islamists to boycott Tehran Muslim dialogue meeting
Amman - Jordan's Islamic Action Front (IAF) said Monday it would boycott an upcoming meeting in Tehran, in protest at Iran's support of the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad and its violent crackdown on pro-democracy activists.
Obama OKs military law, Iran sanctions; objects to terrorist rules
Washington - US President Barack Obama late Saturday signed into law a 662-billion-dollar defence spending bill that provides for a new round of economic sanctions against Iran that are likely to provoke new tensions with Tehran.
US: Iraq to relocate Iranian dissidents from Camp Ashraf
Washington - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Sunday that Iraq has agreed to relocate more than 3,000 people living in a refugee camp for an Iranian dissident movement.
Israeli foreign minister calls on Europe to act on Iran
Jerusalem - European countries should impose sanctions on Iran in order to stop it from becoming a nuclear power, rather than just talk about them to appease Israel, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Sunday.
Iran condemns two Damascus bombings as terrorist acts
Tehran - Iran on Saturday condemned the twin bombings that rocked Damascus and killed at least 50 people, official news agency IRNA reported.
Tehran condemns Baghdad bombings
Tehran - Tehran condemned the terrorist bombings that killed more than 70 people in Baghdad on Thursday and offered condolences to the families of the victims, the Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement.
Top EU court upholds removal of Iran's PMOI from terror list
Luxembourg - The European Union's top judges on Wednesday endorsed a lower-court ruling that called for the People's Mujahedin of Iran (PMOI) to be removed from the bloc's list of terrorist organizations.
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