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Iran to list approved presidential candidates

Tue, 21 May 2013 06:39:22 +0300

Iran's June 14 presidential election steps up a gear on Tuesday when the Guardians Council releases the approved list of candidates who have passed muster under the vetting process.

Iran denies it has forces in Syria

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:39:03 +0300

(adds quote, background) DUBAI, May 24 (Reuters) - Iran denied on Friday it hadforces in Syria supporting President Bashar al-Assad's army, oneday after foreign backers of his rebel foes demanded Tehranwithdraw its fighters from Syrian territory. "The true enemies of Syria make up these accusations toprovoke the people of this country," Foreign Ministry spokesmanAbbas Araqchi said, quoted by Iranian state television. ...

US adds 20 individuals, firms to Iran blacklist

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:42:25 +0300

The US Treasury on Thursday added 20 companies and individuals to its Iran sanctions blacklist, accusing them of supporting Tehran's nuclear efforts and helping the country avoid international sanctions.

Iran stacks poll with safe Khamenei men: analysts

Thu, 23 May 2013 19:01:38 +0300

Iran's ruling establishment has moved to prevent infighting by allowing a only handful of conservatives loyal to the all-powerful supreme leader to contest next month's presidential election, analysts say.

Iran denies its drone violated Bahrain's airspace

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:38:51 +0300

DUBAI, May 23 (Reuters) - Iran denied on Thursday that oneof its drones had violated the airspace of Bahrain, home to theU.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, Iranian media reported. Bahrain's Information Minister Samira Rajab told Reuters onThursday that an unmanned spy drone was found in the Gulf watersbetween Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The incident could furtherinflame tensions between the two countries. In a report carried by Iran's official IRNA news agency, anunnamed official at the Foreign Ministry denied an Iranian dronehad violated the Gulf kingdom's airspace, without giving furtherdetails. ...

Yemen Seeks Maritime Arms Smuggling Crackdown

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:53:49 +0300

London, Asharq Al-Awsat—Iranian nationals are using islands in the Red Sea to store illegal arms, with a view to smuggling these to the Houthi rebels in Yemen’s Sa’ada Governorate, Asharq Al-Awsat has learnt.Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the condition of anonymity, a senior Yemeni official confirmed that smugglers are utilizing Red Sea islands in their criminal activities, including Iranians smuggling arms to the Shi’ite Houthi rebels in northern Yemen. ...

Ahmadinejad's dirty dozen

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:50:29 +0300

Al Jazeera looks at 12 key political moments and controversial statements by Iranian president during his second term.

Not ours, says Iran of drone found off Bahrain

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:42:48 +0300

Tehran on Thursday denied a Bahraini claim it had found an Iranian drone in the sea near Saudi Arabia, and urged Manama to refrain from making "baseless accusations", the ISNA news agency reported.

Barred from poll, Rafsanjani calls Iranian leaders ignorant

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:35:48 +0300

* Former president blasts authorities for bad management * Reveals his dilemma over running for president (Adds quotes, context) By Marcus George and Yeganeh Torbati DUBAI, May 23 (Reuters) - Former president Akbar HashemiRafsanjani has accused Iran's leadership of incompetence andignorance just days after he was barred from standing in anelection next month, the opposition Kaleme website reported onThursday. Rafsanjani's comments appeared to add to the politicalconflict between those loyal to the leadership and oppositiongroups who have been marginalised since post-election unrest in2009. ...

Barred from election, Rafsanjani lambasts Iranian authorities - report

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:30:55 +0300

DUBAI, May 23 (Reuters) - Former Iranian president AkbarHashemi Rafsanjani sharply criticised the country's leadership,opposition website Kaleme said on Thursday, two days after hewas disqualified from running in next month's presidentialelection. "I don't think the country could have been run worse, evenif it had been planned in advance," Rafsanjani reportedly toldmembers of his campaign team on Wednesday, the well respectedwebsite reported. "I don't want to get stoop to their propaganda and attacksbut ignorance is troubling. Don't they understand what they'redoing. ...

Iran expanding nuclear activities says IAEA

Thu, 23 May 2013 06:56:44 +0300

Iran is making significant progress in expanding its nuclear programme, including in opening up a potential second route to developing the bomb, a new UN atomic agency report showed.

Friends of Syria demands Hezbollah, Iran fighters withdraw

Thu, 23 May 2013 01:57:44 +0300

(Adds details) AMMAN, May 23 (Reuters) - The Friends of Syria alliancecalled on Iran and its Lebanese Hezbollah ally on Thursday towithdraw fighters immediately from Syrian territory anddescribed their armed presence in the country as a threat toregional stability. ...

Friends of Syria demands withdrawal of Hezbollah, Iran fighters

Thu, 23 May 2013 01:01:35 +0300

AMMAN, May 23 (Reuters) - The Friends of Syrian alliancecalled on Iran and its Lebanese Hezbollah ally on Thursday towithdraw fighters immediately from Syrian territory anddescribed their armed presence in the country as a threat toregional stability. In a communique issued after a meeting in Amman, thealliance said any transitional government in Syria beingproposed as a core of a U.S. and Russian peace initiative musthave authority over the army and the executive, which are now inPresident Bashar Assad's hands. ...

Iran's n-power plant to be launched 'shortly': Russian agency

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:31:31 +0300

Moscow, May 22 (IANS ) Iran's first nuclear power plant in Bushehr could start working "shortly", Xinhua reported Wednesday, quoting Russia's state atomic energy agency Rosatom.

Iranian drone found in Bahrain near Saudi: spokeswoman

Wed, 22 May 2013 20:00:12 +0300

Bahrain on Wednesday said it has found an Iranian drone in the kingdom's north near Saudi Arabia and called for increased cooperation between regional security services to face "threats" from Tehran.

Iran, Hezbollah increasing support for Assad - Britain

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:59:15 +0300

* Hague urges date for international conference to be set * Says risk to regional stability growing each day (Adds quotes on arms embargo, Jordanian comment) By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN, May 22 (Reuters) - British Foreign Secretary WilliamHague said on Wednesday Iran and its militant Shi'ite Lebaneseally Hezbollah were "propping up" Syrian President Basharal-Assad and giving him increasing support. "It is very clear that Syrian regime is receiving a greatdeal of support, increasing support in recent months fromoutside Syria from Hezbollah and Iran. ...

Germany backs call to put Hezbollah armed wing on EU terror list

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:21:57 +0300

* UK called for terrorism designation for Iran-backed group * Germany cites Bulgarian bomb, Cyprus plot * Fears growing over group's role in Syrian war By Adrian Croft BRUSSELS, May 22 (Reuters) - Germany will throw its weightbehind a British drive to put the armed wing of Hezbollah on theEuropean Union's list of terrorist organisations, Germandiplomats said on Wednesday. ...

Ahmadinejad to appeal Iran poll-ban on ally

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:57:42 +0300

President to take Mashaei case to Supreme Leader but Rafsanjani will not appeal his own presidential election ban.

Iranian drone spotted in Bahrain's airspace

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:32:58 +0300

Manama, May 22 (IANS) Bahrain's Interior Minister Wednesday said an Iranian drone was spotted in Bahrain's airspace in the northern part of the country near Saudi Arabia.

Iran, Hezbollah increasing support for Assad - Britain's Hague

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:24:21 +0300

AMMAN, May 22 (Reuters) - Iran and its militant Shi'iteLebanese ally Hezbollah are "propping up" President Basharal-Assad and giving him increasing support, British ForeignSecretary William Hague said on Wednesday. Speaking before a meeting of the Friends of Syria alliancein the Jordanian capital, Hague said Britain would urgeinternational powers to set a date in the next few days for aninternational conference to try to end the two-year-old conflictengulfing Syria and threatening regional stability. (Reporting by Khaled Yacoub Oweis, Amman newsroom; Editing byJanet Lawrence)

Ahmadinejad slams decision to bar ally from Iran vote

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:42:13 +0300

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hit out Wednesday at a decision to disqualify a close ally from a vote to elect his successor, while former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani had no objections to his own omission.

Iran bars Rafsanjani from standing for president

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:01:03 +0300

Iran said Tuesday the moderate ex-president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was among those barred from standing in next month's presidential election, provoking a sharp reaction from Washington.

US, Oman talk $2.1 bln defense deal

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:51:28 +0300

US Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday discussed a $2.1 billion deal with Omani leaders to supply an American-made air-defence system to the Arab state facing Iran in the Gulf.

Saudi Arabia nabs 10 over spying for Iran

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:18:22 +0300

Riyadh, May 22 (IANS) Saudi Arabia has arrested 10 people on suspicion of espionage for Iran, the interior ministry announced Tuesday.

Ten more arrested in Iranian espionage case

Wed, 22 May 2013 03:28:00 +0300

An official spokesman from the Saudi government has confirmed the arrest of 10 people involved in an Iranian espionage cell who were allegedly associated with the same spy network that was dismantled in March of this year by Saudi security officials.A security spokesman confirmed that the latest cell had eight Saudis, one Lebanese and one Turkish national.“Initial investigations carried out by authorities led to the detention of 10 others for involvement in espionage activity,” TV news channel Al-Ekhbariya reported citing sources from the Interior Ministry yesterday. ...

Iranian spy ring: 10 more nabbed

Wed, 22 May 2013 03:00:00 +0300

Ten more people involved in an Iranian espionage cell that was dismantled in March have been arrested in Saudi Arabia. The new cell comprised eight Saudis, one Lebanese and one Turkish national.Meanwhile, a Lebanese citizen held in connection with the first cell was released due to lack of evidence linking him with other suspects.A total of 27 suspects — all residents of the Kingdom — are being held pending administrative and legal action. ...

Saudi Arabia arrests ten Iran spy suspects

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:19 +0300

Interior ministry says it has seized 10 more suspects, including eight Saudis, in what it says spy ring linked to Iran.

Iran allows eight contenders for presidential election

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:52:21 +0300

Tehran, May 22 (IANS) Iranian legislative body has approved eligibility of eight presidential candidates for the June 14 poll in the country, Xinhua reported Tuesday.

Syrian foes move towards talks but fighting rages

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:46:47 +0300

(Adds U.S. quote, paragraph 6) * U.N. sees movement towards peace talks * Fighting rages round strategic town * U.S. says Iranians seen alongside Hezbollah By Dominic Evans BEIRUT, May 21 (Reuters) - Syria's opposition and thegovernment of President Bashar al-Assad seem to be preparing totake part in an international peace conference against abackground of some of the worst fighting this year. ...

Iranians joining Hezbollah in key Syria battle: US

Tue, 21 May 2013 20:21:04 +0300

Iranians are working alongside Hezbollah fighters to back Syrian troops battling to retake the rebel stronghold of Qusayr amid fears of a civilian massacre, a US official said Tuesday.

Rafsanjani faces disqualification, say reports

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:30:07 +0300

London, Asharq Al-Awsat—Reports emerged from Tehran today that both Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, the two most controversial candidates in Iran’s upcoming presidential election, have been disqualified.The Mehr News agency published a list of candidates that it said had been approved by Iran’s Guardian Council, which vets presidential and parliamentary candidates, which did not include either of the two men. ...

Iran agency says it heard Rafsanjani and Mashaie barred from vote

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:26:53 +0300

DUBAI, May 21 (Reuters) - Iran's semi-official Mehr newsagency said on Tuesday that it had heard that the GuardianCouncil, which is vetting candidates for next month'spresidential election, had barred former president Akbar HashemiRafsanjani and a leading ally of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejadfrom running. If true, the exclusion of Rafsanjani and Esfandiar RahimMashaie, a former chief of staff to Ahmadinejad detested by theclerical establishment, would leave the presidential racedominated by hardline conservatives close to Supreme LeaderAyatollah Ali Khamenei. ...

Saudi arrests 10 Iran spy suspects: ministry

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:48:17 +0300

Saudi authorities have arrested 10 more suspects in an alleged Iranian spy ring unveiled two months ago, an interior ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia detains 10 more in Iran spying case

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:06:02 +0300

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia has detained 10 people accused of spying for its Shi'ite Muslim regional rival Iran after arresting 18 people in the same case in March, state media reported on Tuesday. The Sunni Muslim kingdom, the world's top oil exporter, accuses the Islamic Republic of stirring unrest among minority Saudi Shi'ites. Tehran rejects that charge and has also denied any involvement in espionage in Saudi Arabia. ...

Iran wants in on Syria peace conference

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:35:33 +0300

Iran said Tuesday it is willing to attend an upcoming peace conference on Syria, arguing all influential parties must be included in the process for it to be a success.

Coen brothers comedy, Chinese shocker lead Cannes pack

Tue, 21 May 2013 08:11:12 +0300

A Coen brothers comedy, a daring Chinese expose of exploitation and moral rot, and a divorce drama by an Iranian Oscar winner emerged as the breakout favourites as the Cannes Film Festival hit the halfway mark Tuesday.

UPDATE 5-Bomb attacks kill more than 70 Shi'ites across Iraq

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:12:34 +0300

(Corrects to show not all those killed in attacks wereShi'ites) * More than 200 people killed in past week * Car bomb kills five Iranian pilgrims * Sectarian tensions worst since U.S. troop withdrawal * Fourteen bodies found dumped in western desert By Kareem Raheem BAGHDAD, May 20 (Reuters) - More than 70 people were killedin a series of car bombings and suicide attacks targetingShi'ite Muslims across Iraq on Monday, police and medics said,extending the worst sectarian violence since U.S. troopswithdrew in December 2011. ...

61 killed in Iraq attacks

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:12:37 +0300

Baghdad, May 20 (IANS) A series of car bombings and shootings, mainly targeting Shia Muslim areas across Iraq, Monday killed at least 61 people, including Iranian pilgrims, and wounded around 200 others, officials said.

Iran’s Guardian Council hints Rafsanjani too old for presidency

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:27:19 +0300

London—Less than 24 hours before the final list of candidates for the upcoming presidential election in Iran is released, a new statement from Iran’s Guardian Council has once again led to speculation about its intentions towards controversial candidate Hashemi Rafsanjani.On Monday, a spokesman for the Islamic Republic’s Guardian Council, which is charged with vetting all candidates for parliament and the presidency, announced they would consider hopeful candidates’ health and physical condition in the vetting process. ...