Iran and Venezuela, the producers of about 9 percent of the world’s oil, will form a $1 billion global venture for projects in countries where companies such as Royal Dutch Shell Plc or Eni SpA are facing tougher business conditions.

A Japanese college student abducted in Iran’s southeast has been confirmed safe, but it was unknown when he would be released, a Japanese government spokesman said Thursday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that reports of an assassination plot against him in Iran were an attempt to “wreck” his landmark visit here this week.