Iran

Late last week, an investigative report from Reuters’ Enterprise Team uncovered the details of a big money contract between the Chinese telecommunications…

New, tougher sanctions on Iran and its banking sector appear to be making it difficult for Tehran to carry out international transactions, while forcing ordinary Iranians into activities such as smuggling hard currency out. But India and China are still doing business with Iran.

Israel's former intelligence chief says Iran does not pose an existential threat, and while U.S. intelligence officials do not believe Iran intends to build a bomb the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog says Iran has accelerated its uranium enrichment program. Facing tough sanctions, Iran's leaders have agreed to resume direct talks on the country's nuclear program while the drumbeats of war continue.

President Obama said he prefers diplomacy and pressure to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The Israeli leader made clear his country reserves the right for a pre-emptive attack, saying Israel must remain master of its fate.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran is still not providing enough cooperation with inspectors. The agency has tried twice to visit one particular Iranian military base and has been rebuffed.

There's a battle taking place between various conservative factions in Iran as the country prepares for parliamentary elections on Friday. The candidates seeking broad changes have been barred from running, with many in jail or under house arrest.

Oil prices have jumped sharply in the past two weeks, and the price of gasoline has followed suit. Experts are pointing to everything from the tensions with Iran to a decrease in supply as a possible cause. One expert even thinks the rise in fuel prices could be good for the economy.

The U.S. is determined to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, saying ominously that "all options are on the table." But just what are those options? Are any of them up to the task of stopping Iran from getting the bomb?

Tehran has unveiled significant developments on two important components of its nuclear program. Iran also announced it was cutting off oil sales to some European countries, but quickly reversed itself.

Iran's threats to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz have caused oil markets to gyrate, but few think Iran can really deliver on its threat. Also, Gulf states are reassured by promises of international military assistance.