Middle Orient

MINGORA, Pakistan (Reuters) – Pakistani forces have cleared militants from two towns in a northwestern valley, and the Islamists trying to impose Taliban-style rule there have fled, the military said on Thursday.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran’s nuclear case should be withdrawn from the UN Security Council and returned to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Tehran’s ambassador to Paris said in the wake of a report by the US intelligence officials underlying the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programs.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency7)- The United States should drop sanctions imposed on Iran following a US intelligence report that Tehran was not seeking nuclear weapons, Iranian Oil Minister Gholam Hussain Nozari said on Wednesday.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iran needs $150-$160 billion investment in its oil and gas sector to boost output capacity over the next seven years, Iranian Oil Minister Gholam Hossein Nozari said on Wednesday.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Hungry for acquiring more oil and gas assets abroad, India’s ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) is set to ink an understanding with the Hinduja Group for jointly exploring the possibilities of acquiring acreages overseas.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- With a sense of vindication, Iran’s defenders absorbed the news this week that US intelligence services no longer believe the Islamic Republic has a non-peaceful nuclear drive.

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistani opposition parties haggled on Thursday over whether to demand reinstatement of judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf as a condition for their participation in January elections.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei called on Muslim countries’ judicial systems to practice independence and revive Islam’s judicial rules.

At least 13 people have been killed in a suicide car bombing in Kabul, the Afghan defence ministry has said.The bomber attacked a bus carrying Afghan soldiers during morning rush hour in the south-west of the capital.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Head of Iran’s judiciary power voiced Tehran’s readiness to assist other world countries with development and progress.