Iran: Where Politics is a Distraction from Making Money

Judging by the front pages of Persian language newspapers neatly laid out at every Tehran newsstand, political scandal is in the air. President Ahmadinejad’s closest aides, including right-hand man Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, are being accused of embezzlement, cronyism, collaboration with opposition forces, and even pagan rituals thrown in for shock value.

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U.S. pushes for answers over Iran nuclear counter-offer

The United States on Friday sought clarification from Iran in response to its counter-offer involving shipping low-enriched uranium for refining abroad, senior administration officials said. Clinton told CNN that Western officials were working to determine what the Iranians are willing to do — whether Tehran’s decision is final or an interim statement

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Pakistan says rebel blamed in Iran attack is in Afghanistan

Pakistan denied Wednesday that it is harboring a Sunni rebel leader accused of orchestrating a suicide attack in neighboring Iran. Tehran has vowed “a crushing response” to the Sunni rebel group Jundallah for Sunday’s suicide bombing in Sistan-Baluchestan province that killed 42 people.

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Ramadi, Iraq on high alert after car bombings

Iraqi authorities on Sunday closed all entrances into Ramadi and imposed a curfew after a series of car bombings killed at least 19 people and injured more than 80 others, according to Interior Ministry officials. The three — who were identified only by initials — were accused of contacts with opposition groups, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported Saturday.

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