Iranian defense minister Ahmad Vahidi inaugurated eight explosives production units, including an emulsion explosives production line, a phosphate pelletizing plant, a phosphoric acid production unit, and a micro polymer balloons unit.
News Briefs
September 28, 2012
Moldova deregistered twelve Iranian ships in July and no longer has any Iranian vessels on its registry. Mongolia has also decided to cancel the registration for five Iranian ships, which had been registered in August and September. Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) has repeatedly shifted flag registrations in an effort to evade sanctions.
-- Wall Street Journal
September 28, 2012
The Korean Register of Shipping stopped providing classification services for Iranian ships in early August. Without access to such services, ships have difficulty securing insurance coverage and cannot call at most major ports.
-- Reuters
September 25, 2012
The U.S. Department of the Treasury classified the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) as "an agent or affiliate" of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The move enables the United States to sanction foreign banks that conduct business with NIOC.
-- Reuters
September 21, 2012
In an annual military parade, Iran displayed its Raad air defense system. The system is capable of hitting targets at 22,000 meters, according to Iranian officials. Iran also displayed the Sajjil-2 (Sejil-2) and Ghadr F-1 missiles, both of which have a range of about 2,000 kilometers.
-- Associated Press via Today's Zaman
September 8, 2012
The Maritime Administration of Sierra Leone announced that it had removed nine ships from its shipping register after finding that they were registered by subsidiaries of Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL).
-- Reuters
September 7, 2012
Canada announced the closure of its embassy in Iran. Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird said the decision was prompted by safety concerns and by Iran's support for Syrian President al-Assad and its refusal to comply with United Nations inspectors.
-- BBC News
September 1, 2012
Iran and North Korea announced the signing of a scientific and technological cooperation agreement in Tehran. Iranian state-owned television reported that the deal would establish joint scientific and technological laboratories, provide for the exchange of scientists, and enable the transfer of technology.
-- Associated Press via the Washington Post
August 30, 2012
The International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) quarterly report on Iran stated that Iran had doubled the number of centrifuges used for uranium enrichment at its underground nuclear facility at Fordow. The report also noted that recent "extensive activities" at its Parchin complex, including the demolition of buildings and moving of soil, would significantly impact an IAEA investigation of the site if Iran eventually grants it access.
-- Reuters
August 21, 2012
Tanzania and Tuvalu announced that they would deregister Iranian oil tankers owned by the National Iran Tanker Company (NITC) that had been using flags of convenience from the two countries in an effort to evade sanctions.
-- Financial Times