UANI

AP reported that "Senior diplomats from six world powers on Monday discussed the possibility of imposing new sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, but they failed anew to reach a consensus on how or whether to proceed." Read More

The New York Times analyzed whether Iran, Venezuela, and Russia could "sustain their ambitions" amid falling oil prices. "Even before the global economic crisis undercut the price of oil, Iran was gripped by an economic crisis. Now, inflation is running at 30 percent, according to the Central Bank. And this month, bazaar merchants, who wield significant political power, went on strike after the government imposed a value-added tax" Read More

Reuters reported that "U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday expressed concerns about possible human rights abuses in Iran and urged the country to do more to combat discrimination against women and minorities."  Read More

The Guardian reported that "Elements of Iran's ruling clerical and political elites are enjoying the west's financial implosion. It has deflected attention from the country's internal troubles and its increased international isolation.... Ahmadinejad's government has had to back off at home after a 3% sales tax provoked widespread protests. More significantly in terms of the coming election, the sudden halving of the global oil price has damaging implications for Iran's foreign earnings, for badly needed oil and gas investment, and for an impoverished domestic economy as a whole." Read More

Iranian press reported that "Iran slammed the UN on Monday for blocking its efforts to win a non-permanent seat on the Security Council, saying the body pursues unilateral policies and not equality." Read More

The LA Times said falling oil prices could "moderate Iran." "Iran has reason to worry. Not only is its budget heavily dependent on revenue from oil exports, but international sanctions have exacerbated the economy's weaknesses. And to top it off, the crisis comes as Iran is trying to reclaim its status as a regional superpower, which it lost 30 years ago after the Islamic Revolution and the start of the war with Iraq....Less oil revenue means less capital reserves, more shutting down of factories, less importation of consumer goods, less welfare, more joblessness, more discontent among people, said Reza Kaviani, an economist in Tehran." Read More

Iranian press covered Larijani's statements that the U.S.-Iraq strategic agreement would be bad for Iraq. "In a meeting with former Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Al-Jafari on Monday, Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said that the U.S. security pact would run counter to Iraq's national interests." Read More

The LA Times reported that the movie "Body of Lies," starring an Iranian actress, is selling well on the Iranian black market.  "The Ridley Scott action-spy flick "Body of Lies" just hit the silver screen in the United States. But on the streets of Tehran, the Iranian capital, the movie is already selling wildly as a boot-legged DVD." Read More