Reports noted that Iran has announced that it will launch a biological and cyber defence base later this year to counter biological and cyber threats. 1
Meanwhile, according to reports, China’s crude oil imports from Iran increased in April, 2012 after dropping sharply earlier this year, indicating that Beijing remains a steady customer of Iranian oil despite US attempts to tighten sanctions on Tehran. The increase likely reflects the resolution of a commercial dispute between Chinese and Iranian oil companies over the terms of the supply agreement. Chinese officials have said that Western sanctions are unlikely to affect its imports from Iran. 2
On the other hand, reports noted that South Korea may halt Iranian oil imports by end of May. The EU has declined a request by South Korea to exempt it from a ban on insurance of oil tankers transporting Iranian oil that begins in July, 2012. European countries have a monopoly on oil tanker insurance and have been using this measure to pressure Iran over its nuclear program. Refiners usually do not risk operating uninsured tankers that generally carry close to 2 million barrels of crude oil. 3 Japan has also reduced Iranian oil imports to win sanction waivers from the US government.

In other developments, according to reports, India will host a three-day expert level meeting on the north-south corridor – a project that began as an Iran-India-Russia initiative but now involves more than 15 countries. The meeting is a follow up to an earlier interaction on the project held in January and will address pending issues with the Iranian side, identify missing links-roads, rails and required funding, and address issues such as customs and immigration procedures. 4

• 1. “Iran to launch biological, cyber defence base this year – agency”, ISNA website, May 19, 2012
• 2. “China "increases" oil import from Iran”, Islamic Republic News Agency website, May 21, 2012
• 3. “South Korea may halt Iranian oil imports by May end due to EU pressure”, Choson Ilbo website, May 21, 2012
• 4. “India to host meeting with Iran as key player despite US "counsel" to cut ties”, The Hindu website, May 23, 2012