Saudi denies discussing pressure on China over Iran with U.S.

RIYADH (AP) — Saudi Arabia denied on Friday that its officials had discussed with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates putting pressure on China to back a new round of sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.

A glimmer of hope in Egypt
By M.A. Saki

TEHRAN - A glimmer of hope is beginning to shine through in Egypt as Mohamed ElBaradei, an international figure who headed the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency for 12 years, has started a peaceful campaign to create a change in the country’s moribund political system.

Palestinians should now declare their independence
By Johann Hari

Could the Israeli government make it any more obvious they have no intention of sharing the Over-Promised Land with its other inhabitants?

Lebanese support on Iran sanctions 'unlikely'

BEIRUT (Daily Star) - Western powers have given up on getting Lebanon, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, to support further sanctions against Iran in an upcoming resolution because of the Lebanese Islamic resistance movement Hezbollah’s sway in the government, a European diplomat at the UN told The Daily Star on Friday.

Maliki leads in early Baghdad vote count

BAGHDAD (AP) – A coalition led by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was winning in the all-important capital and a Shiite province in the south, according to a partial tally of election results released Saturday.

Iran-U.S. trade doubles in Jan.
Tehran Times Economic Desk

TEHRAN – Trade between Iran and the U.S. almost doubled in January 2010 compared to December 2009.

MP calls for closer parliamentary supervision over oil industry
Tehran Times Political Desk

TEHRAN -- MP Ali Banaii has said that the Majlis should exercise more supervision over the country’s oil industry.

Persian Press Review
Tehran Times Political Desk

The column ‘Persian Press Review’ features the headlines and leading articles carried by Farsi dailies.

Three million fireworks detected: official
Tehran Times Social Desk

TEHRAN - Tehran Deputy Police Chief Mohsen Khancherli has said that the police force has detected three million fireworks of various types.

Iran, Switzerland to continue gas talks
Tehran Times Economic Desk

TEHRAN – Iran and Switzerland will start a new round of gas talks in Tehran in few days.

Land artists house opens on Persian Gulf island
Tehran Times Art Desk

TEHRAN -- The Persian Gulf Land Artists House has recently been inaugurated on Hormoz Island in southern Iran where it is hosting a permanent exhibition of environmental art.