An Iranian lawmaker said that his country cannot ignore Britain’s hostile measures taken against the Islamic Republic, and further called for the trial of the 15 British marines who had trespassed Iran’s territorial waters.

Head of Thailand’s National Security Council, in a meeting with Iranian ambassador to Bangkok Mohsen Pak Ayeen on Thursday, said his country attaches much significance and value to its ties with Iran, and further voiced pleasure in the expanding relations between the two states.

 Following Iranians’ wide scale reaction to a film recently produced by Warner Brothers Studio titled ‘300’, the Islamic Republic’s embassy in Bangkok issued a statement to voice its strong protest against the distorted nature of the movie.

At a summit of Arab leaders this week, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia said the U.S. is illegally occupying Iraq. What are the political implications for such a statement from a key ally in the region?

Five suicide bombers struck Shi’ite marketplaces in northeast Baghdad and a town north of the capital at nightfall, killing at least 122 people and wounding more than 150 in one of Iraq’s deadliest days in years.

Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh issued a vague warning on Friday that Hamas would reassess its options if economic sanctions are not lifted on the Palestinian unity government within two to three months.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas a “terrorist” and accused him of personally transferring over $1 million to militants to carry out attacks against Israel.

Tehran’s Interim Friday Prayers Leader Ahmad Khatami called on the UN Security Council, European Union and other international bodies not to interfere with the current problem between Tehran and London, saying that Britain has trespassed Iran’s borders and the issue must be solved by the two countries themselves.

Following increased tensions between Tehran and London over the detention of 15 British marines who entered Iranian waters illegally and likely gatherings by protestors in front of the embassy compound, the police increased security measures and arrangements around the embassy here in Tehran on Friday.

I do apologize to the Iranian people for entering Iranian waters illegally and without any permission, Thomas Summers, one of the 15 British marines who were arrested after trespassing Iran’s territorial waters said here on Friday.