UANI

AP reported that US officials and dipolmats say China has been blocking further sanctions against Iran. "China is blocking high-level talks about imposing new sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, apparently in retaliation for U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, according to U.S. officials and diplomats briefed on the matter. The Bush administration has been trying for more than a week to arrange a conference call among senior officials from the six nations negotiating with Iran. But they have so far been stymied by China's refusal to commit, they said on Thursday. ...

AFP reported that leaders in Iran declared "the end of capitalism." "Iranian leaders say the world financial crisis indicates the end of capitalism, the failure of liberal democracy and divine punishment -- marking the superiority of the Islamic republic's political model.

BBC provided more details about the merchant strike in Iran. "But on Monday some traders continued to protest - certainly in Tehran, though the situation in other cities is unclear. Some stores in the Grand Bazaar were shuttered. Other jewellery traders said they had been persuaded to go back to work by the police, and their own professional association." Read More

The New York Times reported that "International nuclear inspectors are investigating whether a Russian scientist helped Iran conduct complex experiments on how to detonate a nuclear weapon, according to European and American officials. As part of the investigation, inspectors at the International Atomic Energy Agency are seeking information from the scientist, who they believe acted on his own as an adviser on experiments described in a lengthy document obtained by the agency, the officials said....