The Iran Brief® Policy, Trade & Strategic Affairs

An investigative tool for business executives, government, and the media.

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Issue no 58, May 3, 1999

 

• 5801 U.S. partially lifts sanctions. The State Department announced it was exempting food and medicine from the Iran trade embargo, but on the same day denied a license to Mobil to carry out oil swaps. While seeking to loosen trade restrictions, the Clinton administration is carefully weighing its overtures to Tehran. 1428 words
• 5802 Mobil plays its card. The U.S. oil giant may have overplayed its hand in the weeks preceding the State Department decision, lobbying heavily for lifting the trade embargo entirely. 430 words
• 5803 Saudi Arabia see progress in ties. The visit to Iran by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Sultan will include harsh words on Iranian terrorism; but Saudi officials tell The Iran Brief they are cautiously optimistic about improving ties. 913 words
• 5804 Hyundai enters gas market. Perhaps the next candidate for U.S. sanctions, Hyundai grabs a share of Total's huge contract. 110 words
• 5805 L/C delays reported. But can Iran pay? That's the issue that has deterred most foreign investors. The latest reports from China are not encouraging. 231 words
• 5806 Iran steps up recruitment among Palestinians. If there has been an improvement in Iranian behavior in the Gulf, not so in the Levant. 688 words
• 5807 Canada deports Iranian. Exclusive: the Iranian link to the World Trade Center bombing conspiracy may come into the open at last. 456 words
• 5808 Khatami says Iran will never recognize Israel. For some, President Khatami's "moderation" is not so moderate. 142 words
• 5809 U.S. softens terrorism charges. Latest Terrorism report. 243 words
• 5810 Canada protests cutoff in US arms licenses. Exclusive: Canadian companies help Iran build new helicopter. 229 words
• 5811 Iran tests new AD missile More on Chinese assistance. 169 words
• 5812 Coup plot against Khatami? The Tehran rumor mill has been rife with reports of the arrest of former Intelligence Minister Ali Fallahian. 301 words
• 5813 Journalists seek protection. In today's "moderate" Iran, journalists feel more threatened than ever and are seeking presidential guarantees 278 words
• 5814 Messianic Group said to be behind assassination. In the latest twist, the regime now claims that an obscure religious group is behind the assassination in January of a top regime official. 595 words

   

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