Author Archives: Austin Knuppe

The Iranian foreign minister blamed unrest in Syria on a US plots to destabilize the country. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps received two no-bid contracts to develop natural gas in the Pars fields.

US legislators proposed adding a human rights component to Western-backed sanctions against Iran. Iran claimed that GCC complaints over its “interference” in Bahrain are “baseless”. The lawyer for two imprisoned US hikers is hopeful for verdict in the next week.

The minister of Mines and Industries said Western-backed sanctions against Iran are ineffective. Iranian wheat consumption is expected to drop with the cutting of farm subsidies. Iran pressed Syria over a missing Al Jazeera journalist.

Senior Iranian clergy warned President Ahmadinejad not to overestimate his power. Turkey rejected US and EU sanctions on doing business with Iran’s Bank Mellat.

Tehran warned it would retaliate for Bahrain’s expulsion of Iranian diplomats from Manama. Security forces discovered a second cyber attack against infrastructure. Two jailed American hikers may get a court date in May.

The UAE’s foreign minister stated that Iran must treat its neighbors with “responsibility and respect.” Kuwait’s foreign minister accused an Iranian spy cell of planning attacks against US infrastructure in the country. Iran and Egypt signed cooperation agreement on tourism.

An Iranian general announced that any foreign attack on Iran would be “suicidal.” The US sanctioned a North Korean bank for an arms deal with Iran. Iran’s governor for OPEC said that oil prices are expected to rise throughout FY 2011.

The European Union sanctioned 32 Iranian officials for human rights abuses. Tehran warned the UN that unrest in Bahrain would spread to the entire Gulf region.

Tehran announced its willingness to begin new nuclear talks. President Ahmadinejad criticized US and Israeli foreign policy in the Middle East; he envisioned a “new Middle East” without Western influence.

Tehran announced plans to construct several more nuclear research reactors. Tehran asked the European Union to stop providing support to the Paris-based PMOI. EU ministers announced plans for more sanctions on Iran due to human rights abuses. Bahrain tried three for spying on behalf of Iran.

The US Southern Command voiced concern to the Senate over the Iran-Venezuela partnership. Germany scrapped a plan to funnel oil money between India and Iran. The Iranian envoy to the United Nations said Tehran is ready to continue talks with the P5+1.

Tehran accused PJAK of recent attacks against police in western Iran. Lawmakers demanded that Saudi Arabia apologize to Bahrain for its military incursion.

Iran and Kuwait announced the resumption of bilateral ties. The Iran Mercantile Exchange expected to begin trading fuel-oil contracts this month. Tehran has been accused of political meddling in Azerbaijan.

An exiled Iranian religious scholar called for debate about the safety of the Bushehr nuclear power plant. Hong Kong passed an Iran sanctions law. Iran announced it would invest $60 billion in developing the South Pars gas field over the next five years.

A US appeals court backed Iran on the issue of whether Persian antiquities in US museums could be used to pay damages for victims of a 1997 suicide bombing in Israel. The US sanctioned a state-owned energy company in Belarus for doing business with Iran. Tehran welcomed Egypt’s offer to reset diplomatic relations between the […]

Bahrain condemned Iranian meddling in its internal affairs; Qatar denied seizing Iranian ships. India will pay for Iranian oil through the German Central Bank.

An Iranian cleric encouraged Bahraini Shiites to continue to protest. Tehran claimed it successfully launched a new space capsule. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu advocated action against Iran.

Tehran rebuked Saudi Arabia for moving troops into Bahrain. The Israeli Defense Force seized containers of Iranian weapons headed for the Gaza Strip. The Iranian military is recruiting international hackers for its “cyber brigade”.

Basij hackers attacked several opposition websites. Tehran set a trial date for two imprisoned American hikers. China and Iran signed a deal to construct the “world’s largest dam” outside Tehran.

China said it supported Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear enrichment under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. President Ahmadinejad’s top advisor said the UN Security Council is not a credible body. Tehran plans to issue 3 billion euros’ worth of domestic bonds to finance the South Pars gas field.

The US State Department is concerned over reports of Chinese firms aiding Iran’s nuclear weapons program. The British military intercepted weapons heading into Afghanistan from Iran.

P5+1 issued a joint statement to Iran expressing a willingness to re-engage in diplomacy. NATO troops found a major shipment of Iranian-supplied munitions in the Afghan province of Nimruz. Iran and Syria announced plans to establish a joint bank.

Former Iranian president Rasfanjani was dismissed as head of the Assembly of Experts. Iran rejected recent IAEA claims about its nuclear program. Tehran announced there is no need for OPEC to increase oil production amid the Middle Eastern crises.

US Secretary of State Clinton appealed to Iran for information on a retired FBI agent who went missing in Iran several years ago. The Iranian military tested domestically-produced howitzer artillery. President Ahmadinejad seeks continued diplomatic cooperation with Kenya.

Iranian naval ships returned through the Suez Canal on route back to Iran. Iranians denied President Ahmadinejad’s claim that there is no hunger problem in Iran. Tehran agreed to negotiate with Somali pirates over the release of an Indian merchant ship.

US Secretary of State Clinton said Iran is trying to influence various Arab uprisings. Zimbabwe announced that it is willing to supply Iran with uranium for its enrichment program. India resumed crude oil payments to Iran after negotiations.

Technicians removed nuclear fuel rods from the Bushehr reactor. Iran warned the West against military intervention in Libya. Iran and Syria signed an agreement for a joint naval training program.

Iran claimed it has developed two new supercomputers. Two Iranian warships that recently passed through the Suez Canal are due to dock in Syria.

Two Iranian naval vessels entered the Suez Canal. President Ahmadinejad’s regime arrested opposition leader Karroubi’s son. The National Iranian Drilling Company evacuated its staff and ceased drilling activities in Libya.

Ayatollah Khamenei praised recent revolts around the Arab world as Islamic and said they should be consolidated. Opposition street protests continued in various parts of Tehran.