In mid-September the six countries involved in talks to persuade Iran to drop uranium enrichment delayed a vote on a new set of sanctions against the Islamic Republic, set to be held by November. The vote was postponed pending reports from the IAEA, and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.

Liberal-minded students and academics have criticized the president for clamping down on dissent on Iranian campuses, although the president and his government insist they support free speech and welcome constructive opposition.

The Forest County Sheriff’s Department said seven people were dead, including the shooter, Tyler Peterson, according to a report on the WJFW-TV Web site.

Speaking at the end of a 10-day trip to Sudan, U.S. Special Envoy Andrew Natsios said he is deeply concerned that the peace deal could falter over border questions, the sharing of Sudan’s oil wealth, and other issues. He urged renewed efforts to fully implement the provisions of the accord.

Ali al-Dabbagh, a government spokesman, said a high-level inquiry found no evidence that the personnel from the security firm had come under fire during the incident.