News in Brief
Russia reaffirms Iran’s sovereignty over isles
IRNA – Russia reaffirmed its respect for Iran’s sovereignty over three Persian Gulf islands of the Greater Tunb, the Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa following Tehran’s protest over its stance on the issue during a joint conference with some Arab countries.
During a meeting with the Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali, Mikhail Bogdanov, the Russian president’s special representative for the Middle East, underscored his country’s firm stance toward Iran as a friendly country.
Iraqi officials: Iran barter deal doesn’t
violate
sanctions
AP – Iraqi officials defended a deal inked to barter oil for gas with Iran, saying that the deal does not violate US sanctions on Tehran and that it will help alleviate a worsening electricity crisis in
Iraq.
A previous arrangement, in which Iraq was buying gas from Iran and paying dollars for it, was held up because Washington declined to approve sanctions waivers. That, in turn, led Iran to cut the gas supply, triggering severe power shortages in Iraq.
Iranian border guards injured in blast
IRNA – At least four Iranian border guards were injured after their car was hit by an explosive device in the southeastern city of Mirjaveh in Sistan and Baluchestan Province near the Pakistan
border.
One of the victims is in critical condition. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the explosion.