The Russia-Georgia conflict is giving Iran's oil revenues a boost. The conflict has forced British Petroleum to close a pipeline running from Azerbaijani, forcing Turkey to increase its imports from Iran. The step-up in gas imports was a topic of discussion in a meeting last weekend between Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki and Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. The two also discussed increased cooperation on other energy-related matters.

"Fortunately, the train of bilateral relations is moving in a good condition. Joint agreements on energy and building an electricity power plant are underway and the memoranda of understanding on cooperation in South Pars gas field are in the final process," Mottaki said. Erdogan added, "We hope that the implementation of power plant and refinery projects in Iran by Turkish companies will provide the ground for further expansion of relations...We believe that the Iran-Turkey-Europe gas route should be on the top agenda of the two countries."

The leftist Bolivian government announced it has signed an agreement to establish diplomatic ties with Libya and cooperate on energy development. Bolivia has large natural gas resources and wants help to develop them. Bolivian President Evo Morales has already established a good working relationship with Tehran.

An IAEA investigation into the link between the Syrian nuclear program and North Korea has been blocked by officials in Damascus. "The Syrians said that a visit at this time was inopportune," a senior diplomat told the Associated Press. The U.S. suspects that a site destroyed by Israel last year was a plutonium-producing reactor nearing completion and built with North Korea's help. IAEA inspectors planned to gather more physical evidence and question Syrian officials on intelligence that suggests a link between the two countries. Since the Syrians have refused to cooperate it is unclear what is next for the investigation.