The American media expectedly pays more attention to Iran. The Washington Post writes about Iranian attempts to set up banks worldwide, including in Iraq and Malaysia, using dummy names and opaque ownership structures to skirt sanctions that have increasingly curtailed the Islamic republic's global banking activities. Earlier the US Treasury Department blacklisted 16 Iranian banks for allegedly supporting Iran's nuclear program and terrorist activities. It is also wrote about Azerbaijan having a branch of Bank Melli in Baku, and that last month Iran offered to create a joint bank for the two countries.
The New York Times pays attention to the news that Iran will try American hikers held in Iranian custody for nearly 15 months. As well as a companion released in September who is now back in the United States the imprisoned American hikers, Shane M. Bauer and Joshua F. Fattal, both 28, will be tried Nov. 6 on spying accusations.
The Los Angeles Times reports that Turkey rebuffs U.S. pressure to slash trade with Iran. A top Turkish official is cited as saying that Turkish firms are 'free to make their own decisions' about complying with sanctions aimed at cutting off trade with Iran over its nuclear program
Iranian Press TV says that the Iraqi prime minister is visiting Turkey. On the last leg of his Middle East regional tour, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki visited Turkey to discuss political developments
in Iraq.
Press TV also writes about Italy urging “a gentle approach” to Iran. Italian Prime Minster Silvio Berlusconi doubts the success o sanctions imposed against Iran over its nuclear program, admitting that sanctions have in the past proven to only strengthen governments in countries such as Cuba.
Meanwhile Iran and China have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in order to expand relations in legal and judicial fields. Chinese officials have on various occasions highlighted Iran's importance and influence in the region.Turkey's Hurriyet reports that Armenia worries over groundwater depletion. Armenia’s government is worried that the growth in fish farming in the Ararat Valley could use up the country’s precious groundwater.
Another piece of news is that Turkey is considering starting oil and gas exploration off the northern coast of Cyprus. Turkey is carrying out further studies on how to proceed with exploration and is looking into possible partnerships with international gas and oil giants.
At the same time some Turkish judges and lawyers have been detained in a bribery probe. Forty suspects, including two former members of the Supreme Court of Appeals and 13 lawyers, were detained Friday as part of an operation targeting officials suspected of bribery. Some members of the Supreme Court of Appeals are suspected of resolving cases in exchange for bribes.
