TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s army chief on Tuesday warned an American aircraft carrier not to return to the Persian Gulf in Tehran’s latest tough rhetoric over the strategic waterway. Gen. Ataollah Salehi spoke as a 10-day Iranian naval exercise ended near the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf. The drill was a show of strength at a time when Iranian officials have warned they could try to shut down the vital oil passage if the United States enacts tough new sanctions over Iran’s nuclear program. Read full article > >

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At end of drill, Iran army chief warns US aircraft carrier not to return to Persian Gulf

The official news agency IRNA said the missile test was carried out on Monday on the final day of 10 days of maneuvers in the Persian Gulf.

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Iran Tests Naval Cruise Missile

The agreement, which is part of a 10-year, $60 billion arms package, comes as tensions over Iran mount in the Persian Gulf and the United States pulls its last soldiers out of Iraq.

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U.S. to Sell F-15 Fighters to Saudi Arabia in Deal Worth $30 Billion

TEHRAN – Despite its latest warnings in response to the possibility of a Western oil boycott , Iran is unlikely to make good on its repeated threats to close the Strait of Hormuz because the Islamic Republic needs the strategic waterway as much as or more than its adversaries, analysts say. Iran, which feels threatened by the presence of U.S. bases and warships in the region, has warned for years that it would choke off the strait in case of war or economic sanctions. The narrow passage at the entrance to the Persian Gulf hosts a daily caravan of tankers that transport roughly a third of the world’s oil shipments. Read full article > >

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Despite threats, Iran unlikely to block oil shipments through Strait of Hormuz

Afghanistan withdrew its ambassador from Qatar in protest over reports that the Persian Gulf emirate has been in discussions about hosting a Taliban peace mission.

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New Setback for Afghan Peace Talks

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari was in stable condition at a Dubai hospital on Wednesday after medical tests relating to heart problems, the government said, dismissing frenzied rumors that the embattled leader was about to resign. Zardari flew to the Persian Gulf city on Tuesday following “symptoms” related to a pre-existing cardiac condition, and doctors were trying to determine whether the signs were a reaction to medication, the prime minister’s office said in a statement. A government spokesman did not respond to a request for comments on reports by news agencies, which cited sources close to Zardari, that the president had suffered a minor heart attack. Read full article > >

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Pakistan President Zardari travels abroad for medical tests, sparking rumors

That could hit Israel and U.S. Persian Gulf bases.

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Iran Builds Cruise Missiles

The Obama administration and its Arab and European allies are reassessing their military and economic support for Yemen in a desperate search for ways to force President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s resignation before civil war erupts. In a conversation Sunday just before Saleh refused a third successive peace deal negotiated by Persian Gulf states, White House counterterrorism chief John O. Brennan told the Yemeni president “that if he doesn’t sign, we’re going to have to consider possible other steps,” a senior administration official said. Read full article > >

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U.S., E.U. and Arab allies review support for Yemen in bid to resolve escalating crisis

As Persian Gulf monarchs forcibly suppress street protests in the kingdom of Bahrain, the Obama adminstration has responded mostly with mild or muted objections — a sharp contrast from its demands for new governments in the republics of Egypt and Libya.

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White House appears reluctant to take hard line with Arab monarchies

It looks like the wave of uprisings sweeping the Middle East has spread to the small Persian Gulf state of Oman. Protests in Oman have turned violent, as activists calling for more jobs and political reform block roads and clash with police. Six people…

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Protests Spread to Oman

The administration must decide how harshly to condemn a friendly leader who is resisting protests.

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Bahrain Unrest Presents Diplomatic Puzzle for Obama

More than 10,000 people streamed into Pearl Square as a political protest merged with a funeral procession in the Persian Gulf kingdom.

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Bahrain Protests Expand on Third Day

The killing on Tuesday during the second day of clashes in the Persian Gulf kingdom spurred the largest Shiite bloc to suspend its participation in Parliament.

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Bahrain Roiled After Second Protester Is Killed by Police

Iran said Sunday it had shot down what it described as two Western spy planes over the Persian Gulf, according to Iranian media reports.

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Iran: ‘Western spy planes’ downed

The top US military commander has reassured Persian Gulf nations of Washington’s support in the face of regional concerns about Iran.

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US reassures Gulf states on Iran