Iran news headlines on Saturday include Iran and Syria condemning US for aiding Syria rebels; a Chinese businessman accusation of busting Iran missile embargo; Iranian farmers clashing with police over water rights; Obama and Putin discussion over Iran, Syria and construction of IP gas pipeline on 11 March.
Syria and Iran condemn U.S. plan to aid anti-Assad rebels
Syria and Iran on Saturday condemned a move by the United States to give non-lethal aid to rebels fighting to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, accusing Washington of double standards.

“I do not understand how the United States can give support to groups that kill the Syrian people,” Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said at a news conference in Tehran with Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran’s foreign minister.
Chinese trader accused of busting Iran missile embargo
A Chinese businessman indicted in the United States over sales of missile parts to Iran is still making millions of dollars from the trade, say security officials who monitor compliance with Western and U.N. sanctions.

These officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the businessman, Li Fangwei, has earned at least $10 million from illegal sales to Iran since his indictment by the New York County District Attorney in 2009.
Iran farmers clash with police over water rights
Hundreds of farmers in central Iran have clashed with police during a protest this week against the government’s decision to divert water from the area to another province.

Iranian media say farmers in the town of Varzaneh in Isfahan province smashed a pipeline carrying water from Zayandeh Rood River to neighboring Yazd province. The Isfahan farmers say they need the water themselves because of a prolonged drought.
Obama, Putin discuss Syria, Iran, set June meeting
President Barack Obama has phoned Russian President Vladimir Putin, welcoming Russian cooperation on international efforts to confront Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The White House says the two men also discussed the ongoing violence in Syria, a topic that still divides Washington and Moscow.
Pakistan-Iran pipeline work ‘to begin on 11 March’
Work on a gas pipeline between Iran and Pakistan will begin on 11 March, Pakistani officials say.


The project has led US officials to warn that it may fall foul of sanctions on Iran’s nuclear programme.

 

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