(With photos) KUWAIT, Dec 29 (KUNA) -- While the Arab world was preoccupied with "the spring of democracy," Iran engaged in political struggles in 2011, namely with regard of its controversial nuclear program that drew international suspicion and curbs. Iran's ill-calculated foreign policy was marked with assassination attempt that targeted the Saudi ambassador in Washington, drawing wide-scale condemnations.
Human rights: On January 25, Iran executed Jaafar Kathemi and Mohammad Ali-Hajj Aghi for their participation in spreading pictures about protests that broke out after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared winners of the 2009 presidential elections.
On March 21, The foreign affairs council of the European Union called on Iran release, immediately, political prisoners and stop mounting executions.
On March 24, UN Human Rights Council named a special rapporteur in Iran, and Tehran responded by charging that the move was intended to exert pressure on the Islamic Republic.
On May 19, the US expressed concern at deteriorating human rights in Iraq, namely continuing detentions and non-transparent prosecutions.
On June 1, Iranian woman activist Haleh Sahabi died after being attacked by policemen during funeral of her father. The US called for investigations.
On June 29, France voiced alarm at deteriorating human rights conditions in Iran.
On July 1, the US expressed concern at continuing repression of the Iranian opposition.
On July 6, The EU higher commissioner for foreign policies, Cathrine Ashton, expressed concern at increasing detentions of human rights activists in Iran.
On July 12, Austria expressed regret at the human rights status in Iran, amid stalemate shrouding the nuclear file.
On September 12, International Amnesty called on Iran to release immediately the lawyer, Abdol-Fattah Soltani, who was arrested at the office of the public prosecutor.
On September 21, France and Britain condemned execution of a 17-year-old citizen and detention of journalists by the Iranian authorities.
On October 15, the UN human rights rapporteur in Iran, Ahmed Shaheed, expressed concern at breaches of human rights in the country.
On December 8, Shaheed calls on Iranian authorities to show tolerance toward political activists.
Oil, gas, power: On January 16, Iran declared discovery of an oil field near the town of Barsian, with a reserve of 260 billion cubic meter.
On April 6, Iran declared seeking to increase gas output to 700 million cm by March, 2012.
On July 3, Iran denied halting oil supplies to India due to accumulating debts of Indian refineries that import the Iranian crude.
On July 4, Iran called for developing joint oil and gas fields with neighboring countries namely the southern Pars gas field with Qatar, as well as the oil fields with Iraq.
On July 6, Iran inaugurated the dam, Karun-4, and a power plant with a capacity of 1,000 MW on the Karun river in the south of the country.
On July 16, Iran denied suspending oil exploration in the Caspian Sea due to financial problems.
On September 20, Iran declared developing three oil fields in the west of the Gulf waters.
On November 1, Iran declared its oil reserves rose 154.8 billion barrels due to new discoveries.
On December 11, Iran declared discovering a huge natural gas field in the Caspian Sea, with reserves estimated at 50 trillion cf.
Terrorism: On January 3, Iranian security forces detained 24 members of the Kurdish separatist movement, Bijak, in Kurdistan on terrorist charges.
On March 19, Iran declared busting a terrorist cells in Kurdistan.
On March 22, Britain accused Iran of supplying the Afghan movement with arms.
Armament: On January 3, Iran declared supplying the navy with locally-made long-range missiles.
On January 11, Iran declared production of the third generation of the smart missile, Qassed, with a 100-km range.
On January 16, Iran declared production a pilotless helicopter for usage for military purposes, tourism and surveillance.
On May 8, Iran declared adoption of a scheduled for making anti-aircraft missiles.
On May 21, Iran inaugurated a major plan for making anti-armor arms.
On June 7, Iran declared dispatching submarines to the Red Sea for intelligence gathering.
On June 8, Iran declared plans for including locally-made submarines in the national navy fleet.
On June 15, Iran announced launch of a missile carrying a photographing satellite. It was successfully put in orbit.
On June 19, Iran received first photos from the satellite.
On June 12, Iran declared deployment of the locally-made missiles, Mersad and Shahin.
On June 28, Iran launched a large number of ballistic missiles of medium and long range.
On June 29, Iran deployed locally-made radar network, Ghadeer.
On July 6, Iran tested an anti-ship missile of a range of 200 km.
On August 23, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad revealed stockpiles of locally-made arms, including cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles.
-- On August 24, Iran declared filing libel suit against Russia after the later refused to supply Tehran with S-300 missiles.
On August 29, Iran inaugurated a major plant for producing anti-armor shells with range 1,300 meters.
On November 28, Iran declared supplying the Revolutionary Guard with locally-made anti-aircraft batteries.
Nuclear file: On January 3, Iran invited ambassadors of Russia, China and the EU to visit its nuclear installations.
On January 7, The EU rejected the invitation noting that only the International Atomic International Agency (IAEA) should undertake such a mission.
On January 15, Ambassadors and representatives of more than 120 states arrived in Tehran to inspect nuclear installations.
On January 21, Turkish city of Istanbul hosted second round of nuclear talks that comprised representatives of Iran and the G-5 plus One, but reached no tangible results.
On February 25, The IAEA expressed concern military aspects of the Iranian nuclear program.
On March 1, Iran called on the international disarmament conference to set up a committee to start talks on the nuclear arms treaty.
On April 9, Iran declared reloading nuclear fuel into Bushehr plant.
On June 8, Iran declared plans to increase uranium enrichment.
On June 14, China called on Iran to resume dialogue within the framework of the G-5 Plus One to resolve the nuclear issue.
On June 27, Iran declared plans to link up Bushehr plant with the national power network by late August.
On July 5, Iran called on the G-5 Plus one to recognize its nuclear rights to pave way for later talks.
On July 21, The Iranian president called on western powers to cut curbs on his nation in exchange for cooperation on the nuclear issue.
On August 3, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad affirmed in an interview with the French television channel, Euro News, that his country's nuclear program was peaceful.
On August 17, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declared that Iran agreed to the Russian initiative to tackle the Iranian nuclear file.
On August 24, Iran declared successful testing of the turbines of Bushehr nuclear plant.
On August 24, France condemned installment of devices for uranium enrichment at Qom reactor.
On August 31, France warned the Iranian nuclear program might prompt the major powers to launch military strikes.
On September 3, The IAEA declared there were no proofs about Iran's quest for nuclear armament.
On September 4, Iran declared the Bushehr reactor started producing 60 MW of power and that the plant was linked up with the national power network.
On September 6, Iran declared that it would not accept further obligations toward the IAEA regarding its nuclear activities.
On August 7, Britain declared alarm at Iran's nuclear activities.
On September 14, Iran offered an unconditional offer to hold talks with the six major powers to negotiate on nuclear issues.
On September 22m, the EU called on Iran to resume talks on its nuclear file.
On October 5, Iran declared plans to cut uranium enrichment by 20 percent provided that external powers supply it with this amount.
On November 2, the US declared commitment to diplomacy and increasing pressure on Iran regarding its nuclear file.
On November 5, Iran called on the IAEA to deal with its on the nuclear issue in a professional manner.
On November 8, The IAEA accused Tehran of concealing some military nuclear activities.
On November 14, The EU expressed concern at consequences of the Iranian nuclear program and condemned Tehran's uranium enrichment activities.
On November 18, The IAEA Board of Governors adopted a draft resolution urging Tehran to halt all nuclear activities.
On November 27, Iran declared readiness to coordinate with the six major powers on clarifying its nuclear activities.
On December 15, Iran denied reports about plans to establish a new nuclear site. (more) Accidents and disasters: On January 9, An Iranian plane crashed due to bad weather, leaving 74 passengers dead and 32 others wounded.
On February 4, One person was killed and 12 others wounded injured in a fire at a petrochemical complex in south Tehran. On February 11: Three strong blasts hit gas pipelines in south Tehran.
On April 10: An Iranian fighter aircraft crashed in south Iran owing to technical failure, leaving the pilot dead and the copilot injured.
On May 24: Fire caught an oil refinery in southern Abadan City in Iran when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was on the way to the facility.
-- On May 30, An Iranian military helicopter crashed due to technical failure while it was on a mission, causing the death of the pilot and the copilot.
On July 14, Iranian health authorities reported the death of eight people due to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) over four months.
On September 10, An Iranian fighter aircraft crashed in northwestern Iran owing to technical failure. The pilot managed to eject out safely.
International sanctions: On February 17, Spain called for imposing international sanctions on Iran because of the latter's nuclear program.
On April 12, The European Union (EU) decided to impose more sanctions on Iran due to its "horrible" human rights violations.
On May 17: The US Treasury blacklisted Iran's Bank of Industry and Mine for alleged involvement in activities linked to weapons of mass destruction.
On May 18, The Turkish banking system stopped dealings with Iran's Bank Millet as it was blacklisted by the US.
On May 23, The EU decided to expand sanctions on Iran by including several Iranian institutions and individuals in the list of suspects involved in Iran's nuclear program. The move was welcomed by the US.
On May 24: The US imposed additional sanctions on the Iranian energy sector, 16 individuals and foreign entities in a bid to step up pressure on Iran over its nuclear program.
On the same day, the EU imposed sanctions on 111 more Iranian foundations for alleged involvement in Iran's nuclear program, and blacklisted Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi.
Also on the same day, Iraq said it was facing difficulties in money transfers to Iran owing to international sanctions on the latter. On May 27, Russia rejected the imposition of more sanctions on Iran, and considered negotiations the optimum way to deal with the Iranian nuclear crisis.
On June 9, The US imposed sanctions on Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard, Basij Force and law enforcement bodies for allegedly violating human rights.
On June 9, The UN Security Council extended the mandate of an expert committee to watch Tehran's violations.
On June 23, The US imposed sanctions on Iran's companies Tidewater Middle East and Iran Air for alleged involvement in nuclear activities.
On June 24, Russia and China opposed a secret security document alleging that Iran violated the UNSC Resolution 1747, which bans the export and buying of weapons.
On July 8, The UK and the US decided to intensify restrictions on the travel of Iranian cabinet ministers as part of international sanctions on Iran.
On October 18, France called for tightening up sanctions on Iran against the backdrop of involvement in the assassination plot against the Saudi ambassador in the US.
On November 8, US President Barack Obama has extended the national emergency against Iran by one more year, which has been in place since 1979.
On November 21, The UK and the US tightened up sanctions on Iran as London severed its financial relations with Iran and Washington blacklisted 11 more Iranians.
On November 23, China rejected unilateral sanctions on Iran over the latter's nuclear program.
On November 25, The US imposed a package of fresh economic sanctions on Iran, especially petrochemical and financial sectors, over the latter's nuclear activities.
On December 1, The EU included 180 Iranian entities and individuals in its list of economic sanctions.
On November 13, The US imposed sanctions on Chief of Iranian Army Staff Ali Hassan Firouzabadi and Deputy Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Ground Forces Abdullah Araqi for allegedly violating human rights.
On December 16, South Korea imposed a fresh economic blockade on Iran over the latter's controversial nuclear program.
Medical discoveries and inventions: On February 17, Iran said it had developed a technology for making human organs from stem cells, and developed four cancer drugs.
On March 16, Iran managed to make a new type of multipurpose Microjet planes and radar rockets.
On March 18, An Iranian lady doctor conducted a successful rare surgery for facial muscle recovery by 40 percent.
On March 20, An Iranian doctor invented an instrument for ear cleaning through cold steam.
Internal affairs: On January 2, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad dismissed 14 presidential advisors.
On February 14, The opposition Green Movement organized a rally of thousands of people to support the revolutions of Tunisia and Egypt. At least 3,000 protesters were killed.
On February 20, Faezeh Hashemi, the daughter of former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, was arrested for participating in a rally to mourn the death of demonstrators on February 14
-- On the same day, demonstrators attacked the Iranian embassy in Germany, causing some damage to the building.
On March 8, Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani was elected chairman of the Assembly of Experts in succession of Ali Akbar Rafsanjani.
On May 14, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadjnejad axed the minister of oil, social care and industry in a bid to reduce the number of ministries.
On June 3, The Iranian president handpicked Ali Abadi minister of oil.
On June 27, 100 Iranian members of parliament approved a draft resolution to present a query to the Iranian leader on the country's domestic affairs.
On August 3, Iranian members of parliament approved the appointment of four cabinet ministers.
On August 9, The Iranian president appointed Ali Saidlu an aide for international affairs. On November 1, The Iranian Majlis renewed confidence in Minister of Economy and Finance Shamseddin Hosseini in a query involving a major bank embezzlement.
Espionage: On January 2, Iran said it had downed two sophisticated spy planes.
On May 21, Iran said it had arrested an espionage cell involving 30 spies collaborating with US intelligence services.
On August 21, Iran sentenced Americans Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal to five years in jail for spying for the US, and three years in prison for illegally entering the country.
On September 5, Iranian court sentenced Muhammad Mullazai to 10 years in jail for spying for foreigners.
On September 20, Iran arrested 30 people linked to a secret network for allegedly working with BBC and British intelligence services.
On September 21, Iranian court acquitted Americans Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, who were arrested for allegedly espionage and illegally entering the country.
On December 4, Iran said it had downed a US spy drone.
On December 13, Iran rejected a US call for sending the drone back to Washington.
On December 17, Iran arrested a man for allegedly spying for the CIA, but gave no further details.
On the same day, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi denied any foreign help to down the US spy drone. External Affairs: On January 1, Kuwait and Iran signed the minutes of the tenth meeting of the joint commercial commission.
On January 30, The Netherlands froze ties with Iran in protest at the execution on January 28, of Zahra Bahrami, an Iranian-Dutch woman, for taking part in anti-government protests in Tehran.
On February 2, the Iranian government withdrew confidence from minister of roads and transportation Hamid Behbahani for failure to improve the safety of air transport. Behbahani was the first minister to face no-confidence move in parliament since President Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad's reelection in 2009.
On February 14, the Iranian authorities detained the Consul of Spain in Tehran Ignacio Perez-Cambra without giving justifications.
On February 20, Germany changed its policy towards Iran after the Islamic republic freed the two German journalists Jens Koch and Marcus Hellwig who were arrested four month ago for interviewing the son of a woman sentenced to stoning to death for adultery.
On February 22, two Iranian naval vessels arrived in Syrian through the Suez Canal; it was the first time for the Iranian navy to use this route since the Islamic revolution of 1979.
On February 23, Senegal severed ties with Iran in protest at the latter's provision of arms to the rebels in Kazamans, south Senegal.
On February 26, Iran designated governor of the northern city of Kilan, Rouhullah Qahremani Chabok, as new ambassador to the State of Kuwait.
On March 23, the Turkish authorities arrested seven Iranian passengers of an Iranian plane bound to Aleppo airport, Syria, for possession of banned items.
On March 31, the Kuwait Foreign Ministry called in the Charge d'Affaires of Iran Embassy Mohammad Shihabi to hand him a strongly worded protest after detecting a spy ring for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Kuwait.
On April 2, Secretary General of the GCC Dr. Abdullatif Al-Zayyani condemned strongly Iran's intervention in the domestic affairs of the GCC member states.
On April 7, the Muslim World League (MWL) condemned Iran's intervention in Kuwait's domestic affairs after detecting a spy ring for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
On April 17, the GCC Foreign Ministers' Council urged adoption of necessary measures to curb Iran's "flagrant interventions," and hostile designs to foment sectarian sedition, in the GCC member states.
On April 22, the GCC foreign ministers lodged a complaint about the Iranian interventions to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Ambassador Nestor Osorio - the then president of the UN Security Council and Colombia's permanent delegate to the UN.
On May 2, Secretary General of the GCC Dr. Abdullatif Al-Zayyani slammed as "aggressive" the remarks of a top Iranian military commander that the "Persian Gulf" belonged to the Islamic republic. He deemed the remarks a threat to the GCC states and a flagrant violation of the international laws and conventions.
-- On the same day Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said the remarks did not reflect the official stance of the Islamic republic, stressing respect for the unity, sovereignty and independence of the GCC states.
On May 21, the United States announced granting multiple entry visas for students and visitors from Iran for two years.
On May 26, the Spanish law-enforcement services disrupted the sale of nine helicopter gunships to Iran and arrested five Spanish businessmen and three Iranians. The arrests were made in the towns of Navas del Rey near Madrid, Sabadell and Terrassa near Barcelona.
On May 29, Iran refuted reports carried by the Israeli daily Haaretz that the Islamic republic has commercial ties with 200 Israeli firms in contravention to the Iranian laws.
On May 29, the Egyptian authorities released Qasem Hosni, an Iranian diplomat, after two-hour detention under suspicion of involvement in espionage; they apologized to Iran.
On May 31, the German Foreign Ministry summoned Iran Ambassador Alireza Sheikh-Attar shortly after the Iranian authorities denied permission for the flight of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to fly over Iran en route to India. Sheikh-Attar later blamed the problem on "a technical glitch" saying that the pilot failed to send the correct signal to the Iranian aviation authorities. The plane had to circle over Turkey for about two hours before receiving permit to enter the Iranian airspace.
On June 9, the Iranian Foreign Ministry called in the UK Charge d'Affaires in Tehran Jane Marriott to protest against her country's claims that Iran supported the crackdown of the Syrian regime on the civilian protesters.
On June 21, Iran and Iraq announced, after their foreign ministers' meeting in Tehran, that the process to demarcate their borders entered the final stage.
On July 6, Speaker of the Iraqi House of Representative Osama Al-Nujaifi demanded Iran to halt the bombardment of Iraqi towns along the borders of Kurdistan region with Iran. He also urged stopping Iran's intervention into the domestic affairs of his country.
On the same day Iran and Iraq signed six deals on economic, commercial and cultural cooperation.
On July 10, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said called for ending the misunderstanding between his country and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over regional issues.
On July 11, Iran slammed the remarks by US Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta that Iran provided weapons to militiamen fighting the US forces in neighboring Iraq.
On July 20, Iraq renewed the call for halting the Iranian bombardment of border towns in Kurdistan region, northeast Iraq.
On July 31, Iran said India repaid part of the latter's oil debts amounting to USD five billion.
On August 9, the parliament of the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan reiterated the call for Iran to halt the artillery bombardment of border towns in the region.
On August 14, Iran announced the arrest of Murat Karayilan, a top leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party's (PKK) outlawed in Turkey. On August 24, Iran asserted its right to defend its borders with Iraq against terrorist infiltrators.
On September 13, the Arab League's Council during its 136th session urged Iran to abide by the principles of neighborliness with the Arabian Gulf countries, mutual respect and non-interference in the domestic affairs of each other.
On October 11, US President Barack Obama phoned Saudi Ambassador in Washington Adel A. Al-Jubeir to slam as flagrant violation of the international laws and conventions the Iranian conspiracy to assassinate the latter.
On October 12, the Saudi Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, France and the GCC denounced the Iranian conspiracy to assassinate Ambassador Al-Jubeir. On the same day the United States stressed the need to bring Iran to book for this serious behavior.
On October 13, the US asked the UN Security Council to address the Iranian conspiracy which constitutes a grave threat to the international peace and security.
On October 14, Saudi Arabia lodged a complaint to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon about the Iranian conspiracy and asked Ban to brief the Security Council on the issue.
On October 15, the Supreme Leader of Iran Seyed Ali Khamene'i slammed as ridiculous the US accusations against his country of conspiring to assassinate the Saudi diplomat. Two days later the Islamic republic stated readiness to address the problem.
On October 23, the US warned Iran of trying to take advantage of the US troop withdrawal from neighboring Iraq or thinking that Washington was evading its commitments towards allies in the region such as Iraq or Turkey.
On October 26, Member of the European Parliament Tarja Cronberg who planned to lead an EP delegation on a visit to Iran said the Iranian authorities denied her delegation entry visas without clear justifications.
On November 2, Iran warned Israel of grave consequences if the latter risked launching an air strike on Iranian nuclear facilities
-- On November 6, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said his country would be suing the US administration for the allegations of conspiring to assassinate Ambassador Al-Jubeir.
On November 7, Russia and Ireland cautioned that any military strike on Iran's nuclear facility would be a serious mistake and lead to grave consequences.
On November 8, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle warned that any military strike on Iran could strengthen the stand of the Iranian leadership, adding that the diplomatic approach is more effective in halting the Iranian nuclear program.
On November 18, the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly for a resolution condemning Iran's conspiracy against the Saudi Ambassador in Washington Adel Al-Jubeir. The resolution urged the Islamic republic to cooperate in bringing the possible culprits to justice.
On November 27, the Iranian Majlis (parliament) voted for downgrading the political and economic relations with the United Kingdom and gave the UK Ambassador Dominick Chilcott two weeks to leave Iran in the wake of his country approval of more sanctions on Iran.
On November 29, Iranian protesters stormed the compound of UK Embassy in Tehran and harassed the British diplomats, shouting "Death to England." The UK Foreign Secretary William Hague denounced the attack as "outrageous and indefensible." The attack also drew condemnation from the US and Russia as well as the member states of the European Union.
On November 30, the United Kingdom ordered shutting down the Iranian embassy in London immediately and pulled back its diplomatic mission from Tehran.
On December 1, Italy called in its ambassador in Tehran for consultation in solidarity with the UK and in coordination with other EU member states.
Later in the day the Spanish Ministry of Information summoned the Iranian ambassador in Madrid to protest against the storming of the UK embassy.
The EU foreign affairs council, Bahrain and Japan also denounced the attack and urged the Iranian authorities to protect the safety of the foreign diplomatic missions in Iran.
On December 6, the US launched its "Virtual Embassy Tehran" website as a means of communication for Iranian citizens due to the lack of diplomatic ties with Iran. The Iranian authorities blocked the website in the following day.
On December 8, Iran's Permanent Representative to the UN Mohammad Khazaee handed the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon a letter protesting violation of the Iranian airspace by a US RQ-170 spy drone in east Iran. He charged that "the unlawful US act" must be unequivocally condemned by the UN, saying this is not the only act of aggression and covert operation by the United States against his country.
On the same day the Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the Swiss ambassador in Tehran to hand him a protest note.
On December 12, Iran stated that it demanded the Interpol to issue arrest warrants for former US ground forces chief of staff Jack Keane and former CIA operative Riuel Marc Gerecht for their recent calls covert operations to assassinate Iranian officials especially those in the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC). In his remarks to a hearing by the Homeland Security Committee of the US House of Representatives a week earlier, Keane wondered: "Why do not you kill them?" On December 13, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said the visit to Saudi Arabia by the Iranian intelligence chief Heidar Moslehi "helped us exchange views and clear some misunderstandings." Conferences: On June 12, the second International Nuclear Disarmament Conference kicked off in Tehran with more than 50 nuclear experts from 40 countries participating.
On June 25, the International Conference on Global Fight against Terrorism opened in Tehran. The two-day event brought together representatives of 60 countries and several international bodies, including the UN.
On September 30, the Fifth International Conference for Supporting the Palestinian Intifada kicked off in Tehran
-- Iraq Security: On January 1, The Iraqi head of communications and operations in the Ministry of Interior Lt. Col. Ihsan Fadhel was assassinated while travelling in his motorcade in Baghdad, marking the first security incident of 2011.
On January 4, The government offer 50 million dinars (USD 42,000) to anyone who can provide information on terrorist cells in the country.
On February 25, Iraqi authorities announce Al-Qaeda military commander, Noman Salman, dead in an Iraqi security forces raid.
On March 23, Several Iraqi separatists lay down their weapons and announce their compliance with law, order and peaceful political duty.
On April 8, Al-Masar TV satellite channel chief Taha Al-Alawi and head of the Iraqi Political Prisoners Committee Abed Farhan Thiab are shot dead by unknown gunmen.
On April 21, The Iraqi Supreme Criminal Court issues capital punishment for three Baath Party members and acquits deposed Iraqi Vice President Tariq Aziz, in the case of the 1994 murder of former Baath Party opposition Sheikh Taleb Al Suhail.
On April 23, Senior Iraqi tax official Fouad Abbas shot dead by unknown gunmen in western Baghdad.
On May 3, Tariq Aziz issued life sentence after being convicted of genocide for mass killings of the Kurd Barzani tribe.
On May 4, Terrorist cell arrested over murder of Al-Masar TV and head of the Iraqi Political Prisoners Committee.
On May 22, Iraqi government announces the complete withdrawal of British troops south of the country and the handing of the role of security to Iraqi authorities.
On May 26, Ali Al-Lami, who headed the Accountability and Justice Committee tasked with vetting people trying to get government jobs or take political office for ties to Saddam Hussein's Baath Party, was shot dead in Baghdad.
On June 9, More Iraqi factions lay down their weapons.
On July 12, US airbase southeast of Iraq is shelled by rockets from an unknown location. No losses are reported as a result of the incident.
On July 15, US forces deliver, to Iraqi authorities, three members of the deposed Baath Party, including former President Saddam Hussein's brothers Sabawy, Watban and ex-Defence Minister Sultan Hashim.
On July 24, Iraqi Ministry of Interior arrest terrorist cell responsible for killing 100 personalities.
On August 28, Four people killed, including MP Khaled Al-Fahdawy, and dozens injured, including head of a Sunni relief agency, as a result of a suicide attack on a mosque.
On September 8, Journalist and human rights activist Hadi Al-Mehdi killed by gunmen in central Baghdad in the midst of Friday demonstrations he was set to lead.
On September 9, Amnesty International, Reporters Without Borders and UNESCO condemn the incident, urging Iraq to launch a full investigation into the accounts of the killing of Al-Mehdi, and to find the killers in the quickest time possible.
On September 28, Iraqi security forces arrest ex-Minister of Electricity Raad Shallal, a month after he had stepped down on the eve of signing deals with false companies.
On October 25, Iraqi authorities arrest American journalist, who had been working in the country for eight years, accused of inciting the wide public demonstrations.
On October 29, Iraqi President Nouri Al-Maliki announces arrest of 615 Baathists, accused of working alongside Al-Qaeda, during security raid.
On November 23, Iraqi Interior Ministry say security boosted by addition of 8,000 personnel, ahead of the presumed upcoming US withdrawal.
Iraqi Kurdistan region: On January 12, Kurdistan region's Prime Minister Barham Saleh says that under no circumstances will Iraq be used as a launch point for attacks against neighbours, including the Iranian Mujahid-i-Khalq faction, present on Iraqi soil.
On April 9, Kurdish opposition stress demands to dissolve the Iraqi Kurdistan government and form an interim one.
On April 26, Ruling parties in the region, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and Kurdistan Democratic Party, called on to settle differences at negotiating table.
On August 8, Kurdistan's parliament speaker Kamal Karkouki denied the shelling of Kurdish border regions by Iranian forces, due to the presence of Iranian opposition movements.
On August 20, Kurdistan expressed rejection of the Turkish bombardment of border regions on its lands, indicating that differences with the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) could be solved by dialogue.
On September 11, A Kurdistan presidency spokesperson denied rumors that Kurds are being used as a tool in a wider plan, targeting Turkey, by Israel.
On September 12, Kurdistan's Ministry of Natural Resources denied any political decisions to stop oil exports from the region to Turkey.
On September 23, President Masoud Barzani denies amendments to Iraqi constitution articles, ensuring a united Iraq.
On October 19, Kurdistan condemns clashes, between Turkish Army and PKK rebels, which led to death of 24 Turkish soldiers, urging a stop to the tension as it would affect Kurdish stability and indicating that these clashes occurred within Turkish territory. The PKK say they attacked first, in the incident which left behind a total 26 deaths and 18 injuries.
On October 20, Iraqi government condemn PKK attacks of two Turkish towns, stressing keenness to cooperate with Turkey in securing border region and that Iraq would not be a shelter for armed groups. Spain condemns PKK attack. UN Secretary General is anxious over the security situation in southeastern Turkey.
On November 27, Kurdistan region says keen on improving tourism sector.
Iraqi foreign policy: On January 5, Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki stresses importance of improving ties with Iran.
On January 7, Al-Maliki meets Kuwaiti leading journalists' delegation, stressing keenness on brighter future with neighbors.
On March 15, Iraq sign three agreements with the UN for economic reform and development, housing and child welfare as part of the five-year Qatari initiative for UNESCO.
On May 5, Political party, the Iraqi List, withdraws itself from one of its MPs claims that Kuwait is impeding Iraq's efforts to find an exit out of international sanctions.
On May 24, Iraqi Minister of Electricity says minister is finding it extremely hard to transfer funds to Iran, as a result of sanctions. These funds are dues for electricity imported from Iran.
On June 10, Iraq informs US Embassy that a group of visiting Congress members is unwanted, as they had released negative statements calling for compensation for US troops.
On July 6, Iraqi parliament speaker Osama Al-Nesaifi demands Iran to stop its bombardment of northern Iraqi territories and its intervention into Iraqi affairs. Iraq sign six varied cooperation agreements with Iran, during visit of Iranian Vice President.
On August 24, Iraqi government officially rejects Turkish shelling of Iraqi territories which led to casualties, delivers note of protest to Turkish ambassador in Baghdad.
On October 9, Prime Minister Al-Maliki announces formation of combined committee with Turkey to solve PKK rebel presence in Iraq.
On October 14, UN World Food Programme (WFP) announced the school food program for over half a million Iraqi children across 1,800 schools in 24 areas.
On November 14, Iraqi government says it is not thinking, at the moment, of withdrawing its ambassador in Damascus, calling to give Syria more time to carry out the Arab League initiative.
On December 15, Security Council calls on Iraq to fulfill all of its UN obligations towards Kuwait, related to POWs and Kuwaiti property.
Military affairs: On April 8, Iraqi protests demand end to US military presence in Iraq with no suspension to the withdrawal date, with only a day to go until the eighth day in memory of the end of the Saddamist era.
On August 3, Iraqi political factions agree to task government with decision on signing a new agreement on the US military withdrawal date, scheduled at the end 2011, and whether training for Iraqi forces is needed.
On September 10, Moqtada Al-Sadr movement announce end to attacks on US forces in the midst of their withdrawal.
On September 6, Baghdad urge Washington to hasten arming its air force with F16 fighters according to agreement.
On September 29, Prime Minister Al-Maliki says agreement reached on withdrawal date at end of year.
On October 31, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari pledges his country's commitment to closing Camp Ashraf, which holds Mujahid-i-Khalq refugees and forces.
On December 2, US forces deliver main base, Victory, close to Baghdad Airport, to Iraqi security forces, as one of the first steps of the withdrawal.
On December 7, US forces deliver biggest naval base to Iraqis, the 30-sq/km-sized Ain Al-Assad base in the western province of Anbar.
On December 14, The US army delivered the last of its bases in Iraq, with a ceremony to mark the event.
Local politics: On January 7, Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki announces agreement with head of Iraqi National Accord for unified political public and foreign address.
On January 9, Iraqi parliament pass bill allowing the Iraqi President to appoint no less than three MPs.
On March 7, Eight leading members of the Iraqi List leave their party, headed by former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, forming the White Bloc after citing their differences on their former party achieving its goals.
On June 30, Two MPs unveil arrest warrants for two ex-ministers in Al-Maliki's government, over corruption charges.
On July 27, Elections committee succeeds in confidence vote after series of grilling sessions.
On August 15, President Jalal Talabani calls on political factions to accept differences and to work together in facing security challenges, hours after the country was affected by a series of bloody attacks.
On September 8, Iraqi parliament votes to do away with two laws, passed at the time of the Baathist regime, which allowed the president more leverage.
Protests: On February 15, Al-Maliki warned protesters that the democratic process in the country is somewhat young and requires focus and freedoms to be practiced in correct manner.
On February 18, Al-Maliki orders security forces to deal carefully with peaceful protests in the country, stressing, in the meantime, that any unauthorized protests will be dealt with swiftly.
On February 20, Combined team of activists and journalists call on parliament speaker to allow civil society organisations the right for protests, in Baghdad and other cities, over the lack of the quality of public services and to explain their demands.
On February 25, Basra governor quits after protests demanding his resignation, the improvement of public services and limiting unemployment.
On March 11, Hundreds of people gather at Baghdad's Liberation Square to protest that their demands have not been met.
On April 13, Baghdad prohibits protests in Liberation and Ferdous squares; allows protests to take place in three football stadiums instead.
On April 22, Protesters head to Liberation Square in defying gesture of decision by authorities.
On July 1, Protests continue, calling for end to US army presence, the reevaluation of sentences taken out on number of prisoners and a job confirmation for several government employees.
On July 15, Protests continue, also calling for public administrative reform, an end to government corruption and the improvement of electricity services.
On July 10, Iraqi protesters impede land route to Iran, in protest over Iran's obstruction of Al-Wand river, the waters of which flow into Iraq's Diyali province.
Natural disasters: On April 13, Over 4,360 Iraqis suffer from suffocation and breathing difficulties after severe sand storm in Baghdad and other cities.
On November 3, Series of earthquakes recorded north of the country, along Turkish borders.
Economy: On February 1, Iraqi government take series of procedures to protect funds abroad, through complying with international obligations on Gulf War compensations.
On March 9, Iraq increases rations to citizens after international rise in flour prices.
On June 2, Iraq agrees to pay obligations to resident Egyptian labour worth USD 408 million, after international sanctions had prevented the money's allocation.
On June 5, Oil storage facility in Al-Zubair field attacked and set ablaze.
On June 24, Operations cease at Baiji oil refinery after huge gas pipe explosion, with no casualties reported.
On June 25, Iraqi government assign specialised committee to investigate the reasons behind the disappearance of USD 17.5 billion taken out of a development fund for Iraq in 2003, during the era of the Coalition Provisional Authority of Iraq headed by Paul Bremer.
Achievements in the arts: On May 8, Iraqi musician Salim Salem receives award for innovation in musical composition from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) based in Geneva. (end) rk.mt.gb.sd