A senior U.S. Army general says Iranian support for violent extremists in Iraq is one of his chief concerns for Iraq's long-term stability. VOA's Al Pessin reports from the Pentagon Lieutenant General Raymond Odierno spoke two weeks after ending a 15-month tour of duty as the number-two American commander in Iraq.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency says his group will continue looking into a report about Tehran's nuclear ambitions, while urging Iran to be open and transparent. From Paris, Lisa Bryant has more on remarks made during an IAEA meeting in Vienna.

China is maintaining its position that it does not support actions against Iran that "undermine normal trade and economic cooperation." Even as the United Nations maneuvers toward a vote on expanded sanctions against Iran - which Beijing has reportedly approved - China's main offshore oil and gas company is reported to have signed a $16 billion deal to develop an Iranian gas field. VOA's Stephanie Ho reports from Beijing.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is praising President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his role in turning the country's nuclear program into what he calls a "great success."

Iran says there is no legal basis for further U.N. Security Council action against its nuclear program, after the International Atomic Energy Agency said Tehran has made progress and has provided details about its atomic work.

The U.N. nuclear agency says Iran has not been open enough about its nuclear program to prove that it is being developed for solely peaceful purposes.

Iranian lawmakers have condemned Danish and Dutch newspapers for reprinting a satirical cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad.

Iraqi and U.S. officials say Iran has postponed an expert level meeting with U.S. representatives on improving Iraq's security situation.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says his government still believes Iran is using its nuclear program to develop "non-conventional weapons."

A senior U.S. official says the United States sees no need "at all" for Iran to build additional nuclear power plants

An Iranian court has sentenced a 22-year-old man to death for his fourth violation of the country's ban on drinking alcohol.

A senior Russian diplomat says Iran's test launch of a rocket earlier this week has raised "suspicions" about the country's nuclear program.