Iran news headlines on Wednesday include releasing offormer Tehran prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi from prison; Iran offering to lend money to Egypt;Iran facing oil-cash squeeze as US intensifying sanctions; Russia expressing hopeto see serious progress at Iran nuclear talks and Chinacalling on Iran and the P5+1 to strive for progress in talks.Ally of Irans Ahmadinejad freed from prison: official
A once-feared prosecutor at the center of a row between two of Irans most powerful figures was freed from two days detention on Wednesday, adding a new twist to a political dramaIranwatchers expect to intensify before presidential polls in June.
Neither the arrest nor the release of the former judicial official, Saeed Mortazavi, have been accompanied by any public explanation from the authorities.
Ahmadinejad says sanctions-bound Iran offered Egypt loan
Iranhas offered to lend money to cash-strappedEgyptdespite being under international economic sanctions itself over its nuclear program, visiting President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quoted on Wednesday as saying.
The two countries do not have diplomatic relations but Egypts first Islamist president, Mohamed Mursi, gave Ahmadinejad a red-carpet welcome on Tuesday when he became the first Iranian leader to visit in more than 34 years.
Iran faces oil-cash squeeze as U.S. bolsters sanctions
Iranfaces a fresh obstacle to turning its most lucrative export into cash as the U.S. tightens sanctions this weekto keep importers from paying for the oil with dollars and euros.
Under penalty of expulsion from the U.S. banking system,Iranian crudecustomers such as China, Japan and India will be restricted to using their own currencies for the purchases, starting today. Importers will be compelled to keep thepayments in escrow accounts that Iran can use only for locally sourced goods and services, in what will amount to barter arrangements.
Russia hopes to see serious progress at Iran nuclear talks
Russiahopes to see serious progress made at this months talks inKazakhstanbetween world powers andIranover Tehrans disputed nuclear programme, Moscows top negotiator said on Wednesday.
China expects progress for Iran, P5+1 talks in Kazakhstan
A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman on Wednesday called on Iran and the P5+1 to strive for progress in talks regarding Irans nuclear program to be held on Feb. 26 in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan.
Spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a daily press briefing that a Chinese delegation will attend the talks.
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