TEHRAN (FNA)- The Untied States said it would use all means to prevent Iran’s influence in the region including its membership in Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Moqtada al-Sadr, the Shia cleric on Tuesday called off a huge demonstration in the capital less than 24 hours before it was to take place.

Russia wants its military officers to be present at all times at the planned US missile sites in Poland and the Czech Republic to make sure Russia is not a target, the Russian foreign minister said Tuesday.

The rival US presidential hopefuls have aired bitter disagreements over the Iraq troop surge as they put questions to American military commander General David Petraeus.

Chairman of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi said imposing several sanctions against Iran for its peaceful nuclear activities has led to blooming of domestic talents of Iranian scientists in all fields.

At least 35 people, including 17 civilians and a Nato-led soldier, have been killed in Afghanistan today. The country’s interior ministry announced that 17 civilian road-workers were killed when Taliban rebels attacked them in the southern region of Zabul.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia’s leading businessmen appealed to president-elect Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday to respect their property rights and protect them from arbitrary state interference.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Heading Russia’s biggest political party would be a logical step for Vladimir Putin when he steps down as president, the head of Russia’s most powerful business lobby said on Tuesday.

SOFIA (Reuters) – Profits from drugs trafficking through Bulgaria have been used to fund organizations like Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad, the parliamentary security commission said on Tuesday.

GAZA (Reuters) – Sleeping in their cars outside petrol stations, Palestinians are feeling the pinch of a fuel crisis in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, where black market gasoline sells for about $30 a gallon.