Middle Orient

TEHRAN (FNA) – Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar stressed on Thursday that Tehran would not allow any trans-regional power to endanger security of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

ISTANBUL – At least 20 people were killed and 117 were injured on Thursday when an explosion ripped through an Istanbul building that housed an illegal fireworks factory, the city governor’s office said.

BEIRUT – Lebanon’s prime minister said on Thursday that an Israeli report on the war against Hezbollah guerrillas in 2006 set the scene for a possible future conflict and failed to address “Israel’s crimes against Lebanon”.

CAIRO – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas rejected demands on Wednesday by Hamas rivals for control of the breached Gaza-Egypt border and told the Islamist group to “end its coup in Gaza”.

BAGHDAD – Every week, letters from Iraqi widows spill across Samira al-Moussawi’s desk. One wrote to ask whether she should spend what scant money she gets on her infant or on school books for her older son.

TEHRAN (FNA) – Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar stressed on Thursday that Tehran would not allow any trans-regional power to endanger security of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

TEHRAN (FNA) – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Tehran is close to its target of producing nuclear energy.

TEHRAN (FNA) – A visiting Iranian delegation said in a meeting with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Urban and Sacred Area Development Dinesh Gunawardene on Wednesday that Tehran would assist Colombo in constructing industrial parks.

TEHRAN (FNA) – Brazil’s federal energy company Petrobras is in advanced talks with Iran to explore deepwater in the Caspian Sea, a senior Iranian oil official said.

TEHRAN (FNA) – According to the latest statistics from Iran, the total trade volume between Iran and China exceeded US$20 billion in 2007, soaring more than 38% from the previous year.