The Latest from Iran (14 July): Sanctions Watch
Saturday, July 14, 2012 at 11:01
Mehr shows how Iran could block the Strait of Hormuz with its missiles --- an interactive infographic has also been posted
See also The Latest from Iran (13 July): Revolutionary Enemy-Breaking Queues for Chicken
2049 GMT: Economy Watch. We started today with good-news stories from Fars about 5000 Iranians registering to buy the new automobile of the Iran Khodro Company and a "quality appreciation certificate" presented to Khodro by Renault (see 0600 GMT). We end today with this different perspective from AFP:
Iran's auto production fell by more than 36 percent over the past three months, the industry ministry was quoted by ISNA news agency as saying on Saturday, citing "lack of money".
Production fell to about 241,500 vehicles in the first quarter of the Iranian year (March 21 to June 20), according to the figures.
Iran built more than 1.5 million vehicles in 2011/2012.
The decline coincides with the halt of parts deliveries to Iran by French manufacturer Peugeot because of Western sanctions.