FEB. 2 – “Italian oil company Eni SpA (ENI.MI) has canceled a development phase of a field in Iran, Italy’s prime minister said on Tuesday, as Rome moves to block new oil and gas investments there,” reports Reuters.

FEB. 1 – “According to the fat trade contracts current with Tehran, Italy would be more accurately described as ‘Iran’s biggest friend’ – at least, in Europe, where the Berlusconi government is also fighting to spare the Islamic Republic further sanctions,” reports Debka File.

JAN. 27 – “When it comes to appeasing the Islamic Republic, no other Western nation has stooped lower than Italy,” wrote journalist Giuilo Meotti in the Wall Street Journal on January 14. Now, a spokesman for the Italian goverment, and the President of machine-maker, Seli, responds.