Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh announced that Ukraine has put in a request to purchase Iran’s crude oil. Zanganeh added “the Ukrainian side insists on becoming a transit hub for transferring Iranian oil and gas to Eastern Europe”. Source: Hellenic Shipping News
Israeli media are reporting that Iran is building a factory in northwest Syria to manufacture long-range rockets. The Times said Iran was also helping Hizballah build subterranean factories in Lebanon to make Fateh-110 medium-range missiles. Source: RadioFreeEurope
According to Moody’s agency, new US sanctions create the risk of weakening the position of Gazprom in talks with Ukraine on tariffs for gas transit. Source: Sputnik
Austria is building up a stronger police and military presence on it borders in an attempt to reduce the number of asylum seekers trying to enter via Italy, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary. Austria is to reinforce its border, to stem the tide of illegal migrants crossing on foot and by car. A larger presence of security officials will mean more stringent border checks and patrols. Source TheLocal
