
World - Iran
AP - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday that Persian Gulf allies understand sanctions are the inevitable next step in dealing with the threat of a nuclear Iran.
AFP - Iran has hanged two convicted drug traffickers in the Shiite shrine city of Qom, Iranian media reported on Thursday.
AFP - Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have signalled a willingness to press China to support tough new sanctions on Iran, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Thursday.
AP - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says Iranian support for the Taliban in Afghanistan isn't much of a problem for the United States — yet.
AP - An Iranian appeals court sentenced a university professor to six years in prison for suspected involvement in the country's postelection turmoil, local media reported Thursday.
AFP - Iran has freed for the new year holidays a prominent opposition figure rounded up during protests against the disputed June re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, news reports said Thursday.
AP - Cindy Hickey had rehearsed what she would say to her son when she finally got to talk to him months after he was detained in Iran. When the time came, the conversation lasted only about a minute, she said, "so it was hard to say a lot."
AFP - The United States on Wednesday called on Iran to play a "constructive role" in Afghanistan, as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Kabul for talks with his Afghan counterpart.
Reuters - Three American detained in Iran last year and accused of spying have been allowed to telephone their families, although formal consular access has not been granted, the U.S. State Department said on Wednesday.
AFP - Brazil and Germany differed sharply Wednesday on whether to threaten Iran with fresh United Nations sanctions in a bid to rein in its disputed nuclear program.
AFP - British oil giant Shell said Wednesday it had stopped selling petrol to Iran, becoming the latest major oil company to stop trading with the Islamic Republic.
AP - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad used a brief visit to Afghanistan on Wednesday to lob insults at the United States and argue that international forces won't stop terrorism and will only lead to more civilian deaths.
AFP - US Defence Secretary Robert Gates flew into the Saudi capital on Wednesday for talks expected to focus on Iran's nuclear programme and Washington's push for tough sanctions against Tehran.
Reuters - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Defense Secretary Robert Gates traded barbs on Wednesday during briefly overlapping visits to Afghanistan, where Washington has troops at war but Tehran has growing clout.
AFP - Iran's outspoken president on Wednesday accused the United States of playing a double game in Afghanistan and mocked the US defence secretary during their overlapping visits to the country.