U.S. moves to tighten sanctions on Iran

A U.S. House of Representatives committee approved legislation on Wednesday seeking to impose tighter sanctions on Iran, the latest congressional effort to slow development of the Islamic Republic’s disputed nuclear program.

The “Nuclear Iran Prevention Act of 2013″ passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee (more…)

Iran sanctions hurt Hezbollah and Assad, report

Sanctions imposed against Iran are hurting the Islamic Republic’s ability to support its regional allies Hezbollah and the Syrian government, U.S. Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David Cohen told Al Arabiya this week. (more…)

U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Those Aiding Iran

The United States on Thursday expanded its roster of those violatingIran sanctions, blacklisting four Iranian companies and one individual suspected of helping the country enrich nuclear fuel. It also singled out two other companies, including a Venezuelan-Iranian bank, accused of helping Iran evade other Western-imposed prohibitions on oil sales and financial dealings. (more…)

U.N. may impose sanctions against Qaeda-linked Syria rebels

The U.N. Security Council has begun informal talks on whether to impose sanctions on Syria’s rebel al-Nusra Front after it pledged allegiance to al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri this week, France said on Friday.
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Iranians are both hopeful and fearful as Nowruz nears

The Iranian new year arrives with the first moment of spring on Wednesday afternoon, and many here say they are happy to close the book on the past 12 months.

This year — 1391 on the Persian calendar that Iran uses — was by many accounts the most financially difficult for Iranians since the 1979 inception of the Islamic Republic. (more…)

U.S. slaps sanctions on covert Iran oil-shipping network

The United States slapped financial sanctions on Thursday on a Greek businessman it says secretly operated a shipping network on behalf of the Iranian government to get around international sanctions on the country’s sale of oil. (more…)

UK to keep options open on arms for Syrian rebels

Britain is to keep open its options on providing arms to Syrian rebels after David Cameron indicated that Britain would be prepared to bypass the EU arms embargo if other member states refuse to lift the measure in May.

The prime minister, who (more…)

India set to halt Iran oil imports over insurance problems

India is set to halt all crude imports from Iran because insurance companies in the country have said refineries processing the oil will no longer be covered due to Western sanctions, the head of refiner MRPL said on Friday.

India is Iran’s second-largest buyer, taking around a quarter of its oil exports worth around $1 billion a month. (more…)

US senators press EU on Iran sanctions

A bipartisan group of US senators on Monday pressed the EU to deny Iran access to its euro-denominated foreign exchange reserves, in a new push to tighten sanctions ahead of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme. (more…)

Iran slams offer for easing gold sanctions

Iran criticized on Monday a reported plan by major powers to demand the closure of a uranium enrichment plant in return for an easing of sanctions on Tehran’s trade in gold and other precious metals, Iranian media reported.

The Islamic Republic, which says its nuclear program is peaceful, started building the Fordow plant inside a mountain in secret as early as 2006, to protect it from air strikes. (more…)