South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun arrived in Iran on Sunday to help try to restore a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, Seoul officials said.

Chung is the first South Korean prime minister to visit Iran in 44 years amid icy relations between the two countries due to Iran's military cooperation with North Korea.

Tension rose after Iran seized a South Korean ship and its sailors in the Strait of Hormuz in January, accusing them of polluting the waters, and demanded South Korea release $7 billion in assets frozen in South Korean banks under U.S. sanctions.

Chung's trip comes days after Iran released the tanker and its captain, the last member of its 20-strong crew, with South Korea vowing to help secure the release of the funds.

Iran and world powers held talks last week aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal that former U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned three years ago.

After talks on Sunday with Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, Chung displayed his willingness to support efforts to revive the deal, aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, formally named the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), according to Iranian and South Korean media reports.

A return to the JCPOA would help improve relations between Seoul and Tehran, Chung said, pledging to step up cooperation with Washington and other countries over the Iranian funds.

The Biden administration is trying to find a way to rejoin the accord and lift the sanctions at talks in Vienna with Iran, mediated by European signatories. Seoul officials have said they only can release the Iranian billions with a nod from Washington.

"The JCPOA negotiations are being pursued constructively and it seems ... development of ties and problem resolving are necessary for the wellbeing and advancement of both nations," Chung told a joint news conference, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA.

Chung, who visited Iran in 2017 as the national assembly speaker, invited Jahangiri to South Korea, and promised to provide medical supplies and expand COVID-19 cooperation, IRNA said.

An apparent cyber attack at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility on Sunday was caused by an act of "nuclear terrorism", the country's nuclear chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, said, according to state TV, adding that Tehran reserves the right to take action against the perpetrators.

Israel's Kan public radio cited intelligence sources, whose nationality it did not disclose, as saying that Israel's Mossad spy agency had carried out a cyber attack at the site.

Israel, which has accused Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons that could be used against it, has not made an official comment on the incident.

South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun arrived in Iran on Sunday to help try to restore a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, Seoul officials said.

South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun arrived in Iran on Sunday to help try to restore a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, Seoul officials said. Chung is the first South Korean prime minister to visit Iran in 44 years amid icy relations between the two countries due to Iran's military cooperation with North Korea. Tension rose after Iran seized a South Korean ship and its sailors in the Strait of Hormuz in January, accusing them of polluting the waters, and demanded South Korea release $7 billion in assets frozen in South Korean banks under U.S. sanctions. Chung's trip comes days after Iran released the tanker and its captain, the last member of its 20-strong crew, with South Korea vowing to help secure the release of the funds. Iran and world powers held talks last week aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal that former U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned three years ago. After talks on Sunday with Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, Chung displayed his willingness to support efforts to revive the deal, aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, formally named the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), according to Iranian and South Korean media reports. A return to the JCPOA would help improve relations between Seoul and Tehran, Chung said, pledging to step up cooperation with Washington and other countries over the Iranian funds. The Biden administration is trying to find a way to rejoin the accord and lift the sanctions at talks in Vienna with Iran, mediated by European signatories. Seoul officials have said they only can release the Iranian billions with a nod from Washington. "The JCPOA negotiations are being pursued constructively and it seems ... development of ties and problem resolving are necessary for the wellbeing and advancement of both nations," Chung told a joint news conference, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA. Chung, who visited Iran in 2017 as the national assembly speaker, invited Jahangiri to South Korea, and promised to provide medical supplies and expand COVID-19 cooperation, IRNA said. An apparent cyber attack at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility on Sunday was caused by an act of "nuclear terrorism", the country's nuclear chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, said, according to state TV, adding that Tehran reserves the right to take action against the perpetrators. Israel's Kan public radio cited intelligence sources, whose nationality it did not disclose, as saying that Israel's Mossad spy agency had carried out a cyber attack at the site. Israel, which has accused Iran of seeking to build nuclear weapons that could be used against it, has not made an official comment on the incident.

South Korean PM arrives in Iran to help try to revive nuclear deal

Amid resumption of talks on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin was in Israel on Sunday. He met Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz who indicated Israel's willingness to work with US over Iran issue. Gantz told Austin that Israel will work with the US to ensure any&nbsp;"new agreement"&nbsp; on Iran's nuclear programme will&nbsp;safeguard regional security.

Gantz said "we will work closely with our American allies to ensure that any new agreement with Iran will secure the vital interests of the world and the United States, prevent a dangerous arms race in our region and protect the State of Israel".&nbsp;

Stressing America's "iron-clad" bond with Israel, Austin said the US will "continue close consultations to ensure Israel's qualitative military edge and to strengthen Israel's security".

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-atomic-agency-claims-nuclear-facility-hit-by-terrorism-376886">Iran atomic agency claims nuclear facility hit by 'terrorism'</a>

This is the first high-level visit from the new US administration to Israel.&nbsp;

Austin's visit comes just days after Washington said it had offered "very serious" ideas on reviving the hobbled agreement that is staunchly opposed by Israel.

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Israel under hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a fierce critic of the Iran nuclear deal, dating back to when it was being negotiated during Barack Obama's administration.

Netanyahu had applauded when former US President Donald Trump had unilaterally withdrawn from the nuclear deal in 2018. The ensuing developments involved US reimposing sanctions and Iran stepping back from some of its commitments in the deal.

In the latest breach of its undertakings in the troubled agreement, Tehran announced on Saturday that it had started up advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges.

President Hassan Rouhani inaugurated a cascade of 164 IR-6 centrifuges for producing enriched uranium, as well as two test cascades -- of 30 IR-5 and 30 IR-6S devices respectively -- at Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment plant, in a ceremony broadcast by state television.

(With AFP inputs)

Amid resumption of talks on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin was in Israel on Sunday. He met Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz who indicated Israel's willingness to work with US over Iran issue.

Amid resumption of talks on reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin was in Israel on Sunday. He met Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz who indicated Israel's willingness to work with US over Iran issue. Gantz told Austin that Israel will work with the US to ensure any "new agreement" on Iran's nuclear programme will safeguard regional security. Gantz said "we will work closely with our American allies to ensure that any new agreement with Iran will secure the vital interests of the world and the United States, prevent a dangerous arms race in our region and protect the State of Israel". Stressing America's "iron-clad" bond with Israel, Austin said the US will "continue close consultations to ensure Israel's qualitative military edge and to strengthen Israel's security". Also Read | Iran atomic agency claims nuclear facility hit by 'terrorism' This is the first high-level visit from the new US administration to Israel. Austin's visit comes just days after Washington said it had offered "very serious" ideas on reviving the hobbled agreement that is staunchly opposed by Israel. × Israel under hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a fierce critic of the Iran nuclear deal, dating back to when it was being negotiated during Barack Obama's administration. Netanyahu had applauded when former US President Donald Trump had unilaterally withdrawn from the nuclear deal in 2018. The ensuing developments involved US reimposing sanctions and Iran stepping back from some of its commitments in the deal. In the latest breach of its undertakings in the troubled agreement, Tehran announced on Saturday that it had started up advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges. President Hassan Rouhani inaugurated a cascade of 164 IR-6 centrifuges for producing enriched uranium, as well as two test cascades -- of 30 IR-5 and 30 IR-6S devices respectively -- at Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment plant, in a ceremony broadcast by state television. (With AFP inputs)

Israel indicates willingness to work with US over Iran

Just a day after talks for rescuing the troubled nuclear deal got underway, Iran on Saturday announced that it had started up advanced Uranium enrichment centrifuges in a breach of its undertakings in the very deal.

Iran President Hassan Rouhani officially inaugurated the cascades of 164 IR-6 centrifuges and 30 IR-5 devices at Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment plant in a ceremony broadcast by state television.

No images of the centrifuge cascades were aired on TV. However, engineers at the plant were seen talking that they had introduced uranium hexafluoride gas to the cascades after receiving the order from Rouhani.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-iran-clash-over-sanctions-us-sees-possible-impasse-376570">US, Iran clash over sanctions; US sees possible 'impasse'&nbsp;</a>

Iran nuclear deal was struck by US and other world powers with Iran in 2015. Former US President Donald Trump unilaterally took US out of the accord in 2018.&nbsp;

Tuesday saw first round of talks with representatives of the remaining parties to the nuclear deal on bringing the United States back into the deal.

The Vienna talks are focused not only on lifting crippling economic sanctions Trump reimposed, but also on bringing Iran back into compliance after it responded by suspending several of its own commitments.

All sides said the talks, in which Washington is not participating directly but has the European Union as intermediary, had got off to a good start.

The IR-5 and IR-6 centrifuges allow uranium to be enriched more quickly and in greater amounts than the Iran's first generation devices, which are the only ones that the 2015 deal allows it to use.

Rouhani again underlined at the ceremony, which coincided with Iran's National Nuclear Technology Day, that Tehran's nuclear programme is solely for "peaceful" purposes.

(With AFP inputs)

Just a day after talks for rescuing the troubled nuclear deal got underway, Iran on Saturday announced that it had started up advanced Uranium enrichment centrifuges in a breach of its undertakings in the very deal.

Just a day after talks for rescuing the troubled nuclear deal got underway, Iran on Saturday announced that it had started up advanced Uranium enrichment centrifuges in a breach of its undertakings in the very deal. Iran President Hassan Rouhani officially inaugurated the cascades of 164 IR-6 centrifuges and 30 IR-5 devices at Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment plant in a ceremony broadcast by state television. No images of the centrifuge cascades were aired on TV. However, engineers at the plant were seen talking that they had introduced uranium hexafluoride gas to the cascades after receiving the order from Rouhani. Also Read | US, Iran clash over sanctions; US sees possible 'impasse' Iran nuclear deal was struck by US and other world powers with Iran in 2015. Former US President Donald Trump unilaterally took US out of the accord in 2018. Tuesday saw first round of talks with representatives of the remaining parties to the nuclear deal on bringing the United States back into the deal. The Vienna talks are focused not only on lifting crippling economic sanctions Trump reimposed, but also on bringing Iran back into compliance after it responded by suspending several of its own commitments. All sides said the talks, in which Washington is not participating directly but has the European Union as intermediary, had got off to a good start. The IR-5 and IR-6 centrifuges allow uranium to be enriched more quickly and in greater amounts than the Iran's first generation devices, which are the only ones that the 2015 deal allows it to use. Rouhani again underlined at the ceremony, which coincided with Iran's National Nuclear Technology Day, that Tehran's nuclear programme is solely for "peaceful" purposes. (With AFP inputs)

Iran starts advanced centrifuges a day after nuclear deal talks

The United States is prepared to remove sanctions on Iran to resume compliance with the Iran nuclear deal, including those that are inconsistent with the 2015 pact, the US&nbsp;State Department said on Wednesday, without providing details.

"We are prepared to take the steps necessary to return to compliance with the JCPOA, including by lifting sanctions that are inconsistent with the JCPOA," State Department spokesman&nbsp;Ned&nbsp;Price&nbsp;told reporters. He was referring to the pact formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Diplomats from major powers and the European Union met separately on Wednesday with Iran and the United States to discuss what sanctions Washington might remove and what nuclear curbs Tehran might observe in an effort to bring both back into compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, a US&nbsp;official said.

Longtime foes the United States and Iran have said they do not expect quick breakthroughs in the talks that began in Vienna on Tuesday, with European and other diplomats as intermediaries because Tehran rejects face-to-face talks for now.

Former US&nbsp;President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 deal, which lifted economic sanctions on Iran in return for curbs to its nuclear program, and he reimposed US&nbsp;sanctions, prompting Iran to violate the accord's atomic limitations.

The deal's remaining parties. Iran, Britain, China, France, Germany, and Russia,&nbsp;agreed on Tuesday to form two expert-level groups whose job is to marry lists of sanctions that the United States could lift with nuclear obligations Iran should meet.

Diplomats said the working groups, which are chaired by the European Union and exclude the United States, met on Wednesday. A US&nbsp;official said on condition of anonymity that the US&nbsp;delegation in Vienna had been briefed on the discussions.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

The United States is prepared to remove sanctions on Iran to resume compliance with the Iran nuclear deal, including those that are inconsistent with the 2015 pact, the US State Department said on Wednesday, without providing details.

The United States is prepared to remove sanctions on Iran to resume compliance with the Iran nuclear deal, including those that are inconsistent with the 2015 pact, the US State Department said on Wednesday, without providing details. "We are prepared to take the steps necessary to return to compliance with the JCPOA, including by lifting sanctions that are inconsistent with the JCPOA," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters. He was referring to the pact formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Diplomats from major powers and the European Union met separately on Wednesday with Iran and the United States to discuss what sanctions Washington might remove and what nuclear curbs Tehran might observe in an effort to bring both back into compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, a US official said. Longtime foes the United States and Iran have said they do not expect quick breakthroughs in the talks that began in Vienna on Tuesday, with European and other diplomats as intermediaries because Tehran rejects face-to-face talks for now. Former US President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 deal, which lifted economic sanctions on Iran in return for curbs to its nuclear program, and he reimposed US sanctions, prompting Iran to violate the accord's atomic limitations. The deal's remaining parties. Iran, Britain, China, France, Germany, and Russia, agreed on Tuesday to form two expert-level groups whose job is to marry lists of sanctions that the United States could lift with nuclear obligations Iran should meet. Diplomats said the working groups, which are chaired by the European Union and exclude the United States, met on Wednesday. A US official said on condition of anonymity that the US delegation in Vienna had been briefed on the discussions. (With inputs from agencies)

US prepared to lift sanctions on Iran to resume compliance with nuclear deal

The United States has said that it is prepared to remove sanctions on Iran in order to resume compliance with the nuclear deal, including those that are inconsistent with the 2015 pact.

US: Ready to lift sanctions inconsistent with 2015 Iran nuclear deal

The United States and Iran are expected to hold indirect talks in Vienna from Tuesday as part of broader negotiations to revive the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and other global powers.

US & Iran direct meet over Nuclear deal highly unlikely

The European Union announced Friday an in-person meeting in Vienna of all parties to the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, from which former president Donald Trump withdrew.

US confirms will join Iran Nuclear deal meet

World powers and Iran will meet by videoconference Friday to discuss the possible return of the United States to the Iran nuclear deal, the European Union announced.&nbsp;

Representatives of China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and Iran -- the countries still party to the agreement after the US left -- will attend.

"Participants will discuss the prospect of a possible return of the United States to the JCPOA, and how to ensure the full and effective implementation of the agreement by all sides," the statement said, referring to the deal by its initials.

The meeting brings together the body that oversees the implementation of the JCPOA, which has been under threat since former US president Donald Trump pulled out in 2018 and Iran began to resume nuclear activities it had scaled back.&nbsp;

The online meeting will be chaired by senior EU diplomat Enrique Mora on behalf of EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

Trump denounced the 2015 accord, which saw Iran granted relief from international sanctions in exchange for accepting limits on its nuclear programme, which Western powers feared would lead to it acquiring an atomic weapon.

But new US President Joe Biden has promised to rejoin the agreement on the condition that Tehran first returns to respecting the commitments it dropped in retaliation for Trump's decision.

Earlier this month, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran may return to full compliance if Tehran deems Washington has honoured its commitments.

The agreement was signed by Iran in Vienna in 2015 with the major powers United States, China, Russia, Germany, France, United Kingdom, under an EU chair.

It was designed to prevent the Islamic Republic from acquiring a nuclear arsenal by imposing strict limits on its nuclear programme and force it to remain exclusively civilian and peaceful.&nbsp;

World powers and Iran will meet by videoconference Friday to discuss the possible return of the United States to the Iran nuclear deal, the European Union announced.

World powers and Iran will meet by videoconference Friday to discuss the possible return of the United States to the Iran nuclear deal, the European Union announced. Representatives of China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and Iran -- the countries still party to the agreement after the US left -- will attend. "Participants will discuss the prospect of a possible return of the United States to the JCPOA, and how to ensure the full and effective implementation of the agreement by all sides," the statement said, referring to the deal by its initials. The meeting brings together the body that oversees the implementation of the JCPOA, which has been under threat since former US president Donald Trump pulled out in 2018 and Iran began to resume nuclear activities it had scaled back. The online meeting will be chaired by senior EU diplomat Enrique Mora on behalf of EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. Trump denounced the 2015 accord, which saw Iran granted relief from international sanctions in exchange for accepting limits on its nuclear programme, which Western powers feared would lead to it acquiring an atomic weapon. But new US President Joe Biden has promised to rejoin the agreement on the condition that Tehran first returns to respecting the commitments it dropped in retaliation for Trump's decision. Earlier this month, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran may return to full compliance if Tehran deems Washington has honoured its commitments. The agreement was signed by Iran in Vienna in 2015 with the major powers United States, China, Russia, Germany, France, United Kingdom, under an EU chair. It was designed to prevent the Islamic Republic from acquiring a nuclear arsenal by imposing strict limits on its nuclear programme and force it to remain exclusively civilian and peaceful.

World powers, Iran to hold virtual nuclear talks Friday

In a significant development just when world powers are charting up plans for the future of Iran nuclear deal, Iran has struck down hopes of a meeting with the US. Talks on the future of Iran nuclear deal will begin in Vienna next week.

"The United States will not attend any meeting in which Iran is present, including the meeting of the joint commission (of the nuclear accord), and that is certain," Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi was quoted as saying by the website.

"No Iran-US meeting. Unnecessary," tweeted Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

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At virtual JCPOA JC meeting, Iran &amp; EU/E3+2 agreed to resume in-person talks in Vienna next Tues. 
 
Aim: Rapidly finalize sanction-lifting &amp; nuclear measures for choreographed removal of all sanctions, followed by Iran ceasing remedial measures. 
 
No Iran-US meeting. Unnecessary.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) <a href="https://twitter.com/JZarif/status/1377950244508475392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Nuclear deal with Iran was struck by US and other world powers in 2015. Then US President Barack Obama had spent considerable political capital to bring other world powers including Russia to agree to the deal.

However, former US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal. Though Biden administration has indicated that it will re-enter the deal, rounds of talks and some heavy diplomacy is likely to take place before that happens.

Also Read | US confirms participation in nuclear deal meet, 'open' to talk with Iran 
 
&nbsp;

Tehran says Washington has to lift international sanctions that were reimposed by Trump before it will make any moves to get back in line, and is refusing to hold direct negotiations with the US.&nbsp;

World powers and Iran have agreed to meet for talks next week in Vienna on the nuclear deal with Tehran, with mediators to hold "separate contacts" with the US, the EU said.

Participants would meet in the Austrian capital "to clearly identify sanctions lifting and nuclear implementation measures, including through convening meetings of the relevant expert groups", a statement said.&nbsp;

"The coordinator will also intensify separate contacts in Vienna with all JCPOA participants and the United States," the European Union said, referring to the deal by its initials.

(With AFP inputs)

In a significant development just when world powers are charting up plans for the future of Iran nuclear deal, Iran has struck down hopes of a meeting with the US.

In a significant development just when world powers are charting up plans for the future of Iran nuclear deal, Iran has struck down hopes of a meeting with the US. Talks on the future of Iran nuclear deal will begin in Vienna next week. "The United States will not attend any meeting in which Iran is present, including the meeting of the joint commission (of the nuclear accord), and that is certain," Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi was quoted as saying by the website. "No Iran-US meeting. Unnecessary," tweeted Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. At virtual JCPOA JC meeting, Iran & EU/E3+2 agreed to resume in-person talks in Vienna next Tues. Aim: Rapidly finalize sanction-lifting & nuclear measures for choreographed removal of all sanctions, followed by Iran ceasing remedial measures. No Iran-US meeting. Unnecessary. — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) April 2, 2021 × Nuclear deal with Iran was struck by US and other world powers in 2015. Then US President Barack Obama had spent considerable political capital to bring other world powers including Russia to agree to the deal. However, former US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal. Though Biden administration has indicated that it will re-enter the deal, rounds of talks and some heavy diplomacy is likely to take place before that happens. Also Read | US confirms participation in nuclear deal meet, 'open' to talk with Iran Tehran says Washington has to lift international sanctions that were reimposed by Trump before it will make any moves to get back in line, and is refusing to hold direct negotiations with the US. World powers and Iran have agreed to meet for talks next week in Vienna on the nuclear deal with Tehran, with mediators to hold "separate contacts" with the US, the EU said. Participants would meet in the Austrian capital "to clearly identify sanctions lifting and nuclear implementation measures, including through convening meetings of the relevant expert groups", a statement said. "The coordinator will also intensify separate contacts in Vienna with all JCPOA participants and the United States," the European Union said, referring to the deal by its initials. (With AFP inputs)

Iran rejects meeting US at nuclear deal talks in Vienna

The United States on Friday confirmed its participation in the meeting on the Iran nuclear deal next week and offered to talk directly with Tehran.&nbsp;

"These remain early days, and we don't anticipate an immediate breakthrough as there will be difficult discussions ahead. But we believe this is a healthy step forward," State Department spokesman Ned Price was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

"We do not anticipate presently that there will be direct talks between the United States and Iran through this process, though the United States remains open to them."

Earlier on Friday, the European Union (EU) announced an in-person meeting of all parties in Vienna of the 2015 nuclear deal, named the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, from which the US under former president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;pulled off.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-rejects-meeting-us-at-nuclear-deal-talks-in-vienna-375001">Iran rejects meeting US at nuclear deal talks in Vienna</a>

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif confirmed the Islamic Republic's presence in the meeting, but denied any meeting with the US, calling it "unnecessary".&nbsp;

The meeting aimed to "rapidly finalise sanction-lifting and nuclear measures for choreographed removal of all sanctions, followed by Iran ceasing remedial measures," Zarif said.&nbsp;

"No Iran-US meeting. Unnecessary," the Iranian foreign minister wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;has said that Washington would return to the nuclear accord if Tehran agrees to follow its commitments under the deal.

However, Iran has insisted on lifting off the sanctions imposed under Trump before beginning any negotiations.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The United States on Friday confirmed its participation in the meeting on the Iran nuclear deal next week and offered to talk directly with Tehran. "These remain early days, and we don't anticipate an immediate breakthrough as there will be difficult discussions ahead.

The United States on Friday confirmed its participation in the meeting on the Iran nuclear deal next week and offered to talk directly with Tehran. "These remain early days, and we don't anticipate an immediate breakthrough as there will be difficult discussions ahead. But we believe this is a healthy step forward," State Department spokesman Ned Price was quoted as saying by news agency AFP. "We do not anticipate presently that there will be direct talks between the United States and Iran through this process, though the United States remains open to them." Earlier on Friday, the European Union (EU) announced an in-person meeting of all parties in Vienna of the 2015 nuclear deal, named the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, from which the US under former president Donald Trump pulled off. Also read | Iran rejects meeting US at nuclear deal talks in Vienna Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif confirmed the Islamic Republic's presence in the meeting, but denied any meeting with the US, calling it "unnecessary". The meeting aimed to "rapidly finalise sanction-lifting and nuclear measures for choreographed removal of all sanctions, followed by Iran ceasing remedial measures," Zarif said. "No Iran-US meeting. Unnecessary," the Iranian foreign minister wrote on Twitter. US President Joe Biden has said that Washington would return to the nuclear accord if Tehran agrees to follow its commitments under the deal. However, Iran has insisted on lifting off the sanctions imposed under Trump before beginning any negotiations.

US confirms participation in nuclear deal meet, 'open' to talk with Iran

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday urged Iran to stop aggravating the already grave crisis over its nuclear programme by multiplying violations of the 2015 deal with world powers on its atomic programme.

"Iran must stop worsening the nuclear situation that is already serious by accumulating violations of the Vienna accord," Macron told reporters alongside visiting Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.

"Iran must make the expected gestures and behave in a responsible manner," he said.

Watch |&nbsp;

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The new administration of US President Joe Biden has indicated it is prepared to re-enter the nuclear deal after Donald Trump walked out in 2015, but so far there has been no sign of any breakthrough as Tehran ramps up its nuclear work.

"France is fully mobilised for a relaunch of a credible process to find a solution to this crisis," Macron added. "This means returning to a control and supervision of the Iranian nuclear programme while also integrating a control of Iran's ballistic activity in the region."

Biden's administration has said it will rejoin the deal and start lifting sanctions against Iran if it returns to full compliance.

But Tehran rejected this precondition, pressing on with increasing nuclear work in retaliation for Trump's so-called "maximum pressure" sanctions policy to weaken the Iranian regime, which has had no official relations with Washington for four decades.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday urged Iran to stop aggravating the already grave crisis over its nuclear programme by multiplying violations of the 2015 deal with world powers on its atomic programme.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday urged Iran to stop aggravating the already grave crisis over its nuclear programme by multiplying violations of the 2015 deal with world powers on its atomic programme. "Iran must stop worsening the nuclear situation that is already serious by accumulating violations of the Vienna accord," Macron told reporters alongside visiting Israeli President Reuven Rivlin. "Iran must make the expected gestures and behave in a responsible manner," he said. Watch | The new administration of US President Joe Biden has indicated it is prepared to re-enter the nuclear deal after Donald Trump walked out in 2015, but so far there has been no sign of any breakthrough as Tehran ramps up its nuclear work. "France is fully mobilised for a relaunch of a credible process to find a solution to this crisis," Macron added. "This means returning to a control and supervision of the Iranian nuclear programme while also integrating a control of Iran's ballistic activity in the region." Biden's administration has said it will rejoin the deal and start lifting sanctions against Iran if it returns to full compliance. But Tehran rejected this precondition, pressing on with increasing nuclear work in retaliation for Trump's so-called "maximum pressure" sanctions policy to weaken the Iranian regime, which has had no official relations with Washington for four decades.

France's Macron urges Iran to 'stop worsening' nuclear crisis

Iran has started enriching uranium at its underground plant in Natanz, according to a report by the UN's nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency&nbsp;(IAEA).

Reuters reported that the enrichment at Natanz was of the second type of advanced centrifuge, the IR-4.

Watch:

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The IAEA report claimed that Iran has indicated that it plans to install a second cascade of IR-4 centrifuges at the Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP), although the installation hasn't begun as yet.

“In summary, as of 15 March 2021, Iran was using 5,060 IR-1 centrifuges installed in 30 cascades, 522 IR-2m centrifuges installed in three cascades and 174 IR-4 centrifuges installed in one cascade, to enrich natural UF6 up to 5% U-235 at FEP,” Reuters quoted the IAEA report as saying.

Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a video conference with the European Policy Centre think tank had said: "Europeans are used to compromise. Iran and the United States are not. The Americans are used to imposing, and we are used to resisting," asserting that a compromise was needed to end the nuclear deal deadlock.

The US had walked out of the 2015 nuclear deal under the Trump administration in 2018 and reimposed punishing sanctions on Tehran.

The Biden administration along with its European allies have been trying to salvage the pact as Iran said it was ready to go back to the JCPOA immediately after the United States goes back to the implementation of the agreement.

"The current US administration or the next administration will not be able to achieve a better deal with Iran than the JCPOA. Not with this government and not with any future government. This is the best possible deal," Zarif said.

However, the United States has said it will not offer Iran unilateral incentives to attend talks over compliance with the nuclear deal.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said: "If the Iranians are under the impression that, absent any movement on their part to resume full compliance with the (nuclear deal), that we will offer favours or unilateral gestures, well that's a misimpression."

Iran has started enriching uranium at its underground plant in Natanz, according to a report by the UN's nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Iran has started enriching uranium at its underground plant in Natanz, according to a report by the UN's nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Reuters reported that the enrichment at Natanz was of the second type of advanced centrifuge, the IR-4. Watch: The IAEA report claimed that Iran has indicated that it plans to install a second cascade of IR-4 centrifuges at the Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP), although the installation hasn't begun as yet. “In summary, as of 15 March 2021, Iran was using 5,060 IR-1 centrifuges installed in 30 cascades, 522 IR-2m centrifuges installed in three cascades and 174 IR-4 centrifuges installed in one cascade, to enrich natural UF6 up to 5% U-235 at FEP,” Reuters quoted the IAEA report as saying. Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a video conference with the European Policy Centre think tank had said: "Europeans are used to compromise. Iran and the United States are not. The Americans are used to imposing, and we are used to resisting," asserting that a compromise was needed to end the nuclear deal deadlock. The US had walked out of the 2015 nuclear deal under the Trump administration in 2018 and reimposed punishing sanctions on Tehran. The Biden administration along with its European allies have been trying to salvage the pact as Iran said it was ready to go back to the JCPOA immediately after the United States goes back to the implementation of the agreement. "The current US administration or the next administration will not be able to achieve a better deal with Iran than the JCPOA. Not with this government and not with any future government. This is the best possible deal," Zarif said. However, the United States has said it will not offer Iran unilateral incentives to attend talks over compliance with the nuclear deal. State Department spokesman Ned Price said: "If the Iranians are under the impression that, absent any movement on their part to resume full compliance with the (nuclear deal), that we will offer favours or unilateral gestures, well that's a misimpression."

Iran enriching uranium at underground plant at Natanz, says UN watchdog IAEA

Iran slammed the United States on Thursday for continuing to follow former president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump's </a>policy of applying "maximum pressure".&nbsp;

"US claims it favours diplomacy; not Trump's failed policy of 'maximum pressure'," Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Twitter.

"Yet (US Secretary of State Antony Blinken) boasts abt (about) blocking Korea from transferring our OWN money to the Swiss Channel -- only used for food &amp; meds."&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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He said sticking to the same approach will not "yield new results" for the US.&nbsp;

The Iranian foreign minister's comments came hours after Blinken hinted of the US continuing to oppose the release of Iranian funds worth billions of dollars until Tehran commits to full compliance with a nuclear deal.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
South Korea, an ally of the US, last month said it agreed on a way to release the Iranian money from oil sales but was waiting for Washington's nod.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-zarif-to-offer-constructive-plan-amid-hopes-of-informal-nuclear-talks-368392">Iran's Zarif to offer 'constructive' plan amid hopes of informal nuclear talks</a>

"...unless and until Iran comes back into compliance, they won't be getting that relief," Blinken said.&nbsp;

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden </a>has insisted Iran to comply with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a nuclear deal that was scrapped by Trump which further raised tensions between Tehran and Washington.&nbsp;

Iran slammed the United States on Thursday for continuing to follow former president Donald Trump's policy of applying "maximum pressure". "US claims it favours diplomacy; not Trump's failed policy of 'maximum pressure'," Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Twitter.

Iran slammed the United States on Thursday for continuing to follow former president Donald Trump's policy of applying "maximum pressure". "US claims it favours diplomacy; not Trump's failed policy of 'maximum pressure'," Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Twitter. "Yet (US Secretary of State Antony Blinken) boasts abt (about) blocking Korea from transferring our OWN money to the Swiss Channel -- only used for food & meds." Watch | He said sticking to the same approach will not "yield new results" for the US. The Iranian foreign minister's comments came hours after Blinken hinted of the US continuing to oppose the release of Iranian funds worth billions of dollars until Tehran commits to full compliance with a nuclear deal. South Korea, an ally of the US, last month said it agreed on a way to release the Iranian money from oil sales but was waiting for Washington's nod. Also read | Iran's Zarif to offer 'constructive' plan amid hopes of informal nuclear talks "...unless and until Iran comes back into compliance, they won't be getting that relief," Blinken said. US President Joe Biden has insisted Iran to comply with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a nuclear deal that was scrapped by Trump which further raised tensions between Tehran and Washington.

Iran slams US, says Trump's policy of 'maximum pressure' won't do any good

As the United Nations nuclear watchdog looks forward to a technical dialogue with Iran, the United States said it is hopeful that Iran would come forward for diplomacy after European allies dropped plans to censure Tehran at the UN nuclear watchdog.

Watch:

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"We supported the e3, we supported it. We also recognize that the director general has put forward a realistic schedule which we understand Iran has accepted when it comes to the next steps. We will look forward with strong interest for Iran's willingness to engage in a way that leads to credible concrete progress on these issues," Ned Price, State Department spokesperson said.

Iran has so far refused to take part in a meeting brokered by the Europeans on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. The international atomic energy agency said that it expects to understand what is happening in Iran by this summer with the first meeting to be scheduled in early April.

Iran has accepted to discuss the impending issues including the presence of uranium particles, the status of nuclear sites and the 2015 nuclear deal restrictions.

"I'm clearly aiming at having a far more clear understanding of this issue by the summer or before. I think this is possible, this is not something impossible. We had information, we want to compare it with our Iranian counterparts," Rafael Grossi, IAEA director-general said.

Iran has been blaming the West for crippling its economy with stringent sanctions. It is expected to report back on the progress to the UN body by June.

As the United Nations nuclear watchdog looks forward to a technical dialogue with Iran, the United States said it is hopeful that Iran would come forward for diplomacy after European allies dropped plans to censure Tehran at the UN nuclear watchdog.

As the United Nations nuclear watchdog looks forward to a technical dialogue with Iran, the United States said it is hopeful that Iran would come forward for diplomacy after European allies dropped plans to censure Tehran at the UN nuclear watchdog. Watch: "We supported the e3, we supported it. We also recognize that the director general has put forward a realistic schedule which we understand Iran has accepted when it comes to the next steps. We will look forward with strong interest for Iran's willingness to engage in a way that leads to credible concrete progress on these issues," Ned Price, State Department spokesperson said. Iran has so far refused to take part in a meeting brokered by the Europeans on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. The international atomic energy agency said that it expects to understand what is happening in Iran by this summer with the first meeting to be scheduled in early April. Iran has accepted to discuss the impending issues including the presence of uranium particles, the status of nuclear sites and the 2015 nuclear deal restrictions. "I'm clearly aiming at having a far more clear understanding of this issue by the summer or before. I think this is possible, this is not something impossible. We had information, we want to compare it with our Iranian counterparts," Rafael Grossi, IAEA director-general said. Iran has been blaming the West for crippling its economy with stringent sanctions. It is expected to report back on the progress to the UN body by June.

Looking forward with strong interest for Iran's willingness to engage: US on nuclear issue

Tehran has not formally responded to the US offer last week for talks with Iran in a joint meeting with the countries that negotiated the deal.

'Our patience is not unlimited', US on nuclear deal with Iran

The United States will seek to strengthen and extend the agreement between world powers and Iran aimed at curbing its nuclear programme

'US wants to extend and strengthen Iran nuclear deal', says Antony Blinken

Russia on Friday welcomed initial steps taken by the United States to find compromise on the Iran nuclear deal, the historic accord brokered in 2015 that collapsed under US President Donald Trump.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters it was a "good thing" that the Washington was no longer calling for international sanctions on Iran, but said ultimately more work was needed.

"It is the restoration of the JCPOA regime that is important," he said, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as the Iran deal is formally known.

"Sanctions pressure did not help the implementation of the agreement and brought the situation to a dead end," Peskov added.

The deal brokered in 2015 by then president Barack Obama saw Iran drastically scale back its nuclear programme in exchange for promises of economic relief.

Trump withdrew from the accord in 2018 and re-imposed sweeping sanctions on the Islamic state.

The Biden administration on Thursday offered talks with Iran led by European allies and reversed two largely symbolic steps against Tehran imposed by Trump.

Those steps included a retraction of calls for international sanctions on Tehran and the removal of draconian curbs on Iranian diplomats in New York.

Earlier in the day, Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's Vienna-based envoy to international organisations, also praised Washington's move.

"It's a good sign confirming that the United States is ready for the JCPOA to begin functioning normally again," he told state-run news agency RIA Novosti.

The offer for talks came ahead of a Sunday deadline set by Iran for it to restrict some access to nuclear inspectors unless Trump's sanctions are ended.

Biden has insisted he will not remove Trump's sanctions until Iran returns to compliance, but in a letter to the United Nations, the United States said it no longer believed that the world body had "snapped back" sanctions on Iran.

After the offer for talks, Iran on Friday renewed its call for the US to lift all sanctions imposed by the previous US administration.

Russia on Friday welcomed initial steps taken by the United States to find compromise on the Iran nuclear deal, the historic accord brokered in 2015 that collapsed under US President Donald Trump.

Russia on Friday welcomed initial steps taken by the United States to find compromise on the Iran nuclear deal, the historic accord brokered in 2015 that collapsed under US President Donald Trump. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters it was a "good thing" that the Washington was no longer calling for international sanctions on Iran, but said ultimately more work was needed. "It is the restoration of the JCPOA regime that is important," he said, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as the Iran deal is formally known. "Sanctions pressure did not help the implementation of the agreement and brought the situation to a dead end," Peskov added. The deal brokered in 2015 by then president Barack Obama saw Iran drastically scale back its nuclear programme in exchange for promises of economic relief. Trump withdrew from the accord in 2018 and re-imposed sweeping sanctions on the Islamic state. The Biden administration on Thursday offered talks with Iran led by European allies and reversed two largely symbolic steps against Tehran imposed by Trump. Those steps included a retraction of calls for international sanctions on Tehran and the removal of draconian curbs on Iranian diplomats in New York. Earlier in the day, Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's Vienna-based envoy to international organisations, also praised Washington's move. "It's a good sign confirming that the United States is ready for the JCPOA to begin functioning normally again," he told state-run news agency RIA Novosti. The offer for talks came ahead of a Sunday deadline set by Iran for it to restrict some access to nuclear inspectors unless Trump's sanctions are ended. Biden has insisted he will not remove Trump's sanctions until Iran returns to compliance, but in a letter to the United Nations, the United States said it no longer believed that the world body had "snapped back" sanctions on Iran. After the offer for talks, Iran on Friday renewed its call for the US to lift all sanctions imposed by the previous US administration.

Kremlin welcomes US gestures on salvaging Iran nuclear deal

The United States would accept an invitation from the European Union High Representative to attend a meeting of the P5+1 and Iran to discuss a diplomatic way forward on Irans nuclear program.

US says ready for talks with Iran to revive nuclear deal

US State Secretary Antony Blinken is holding a virtual meeting with his counterparts from Japan, Australia and India as part of the Qued grouping, This meeting is the first of the informal groups under the Joe Biden's administration.

WION Fineprint: Antony Blinken holds virtual Quad meet with Australia, India and Japan

The UK, France and Germany are set to hold talks with the United States over the Iran nuclear agreement. France will be hosting these talks between the diplomats of the European powers and US State Secretary Antony Blinken.

WION Dispatch: UK, France, Germany to hold talks with US on Iran deal

German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a conversation with Iran's leader Hassan Rouhani tells that 'Iran should return to nuclear deal'. Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said the German leader told Rouhani she was concerned that Iran was continuing to breach its commitments under the deal

'Iran should return to nuclear deal', tells Angela Merkel to Hassan Rouhani

Israel's Energy Minister has said that it would take it on just about six months to produce enough Nuclear fission material to enrich Uranium. Israel has said that it is extremely worry of Biden administration's intent to re-enter the 2015 Iranian Nuclear deal.

Israel criticizes Biden's bid to rejoin Iran Nuclear deal

Iran has deepened a key breach of its 2015 nuclear deal, enriching uranium with a larger number of advanced centrifuge machines in an underground plant as it faces off with the new U.S. administration on salvaging the accord.

Tehran has recently accelerated its breaches of the deal, raising pressure on U.S. President Joe Biden as both sides say they are willing to come back into compliance with the badly eroded agreement if the other side moves first.

Iran began its breaches in 2019 in response to Washington`s withdrawal in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump and the reimposition of U.S. economic sanctions against Tehran that were lifted under the deal.

The accord says Iran can refine uranium only at its main enrichment site - an underground plant at Natanz - with first-generation IR-1 centrifuges. Last year Iran began enriching there with a cascade, or cluster, of much more efficient IR-2m machines and in December said it would install three more.

"Iran has completed the installation of one of these three cascades, containing 174 IR-2m centrifuges, and, on 30 January 2021, Iran began feeding the cascade with UF6," the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a report obtained by Reuters on Tuesday, referring to uranium hexafluoride feedstock.

The IAEA later confirmed that the Islamic Republic had started enriching with the second cascade.

Tehran is also pressing ahead with the installation of more advanced centrifuges, the report indicated. Of the remaining two cascades of IR-2m machines, installation of one had begun while the other`s installation was "nearing completion", it said.

Iran`s ambassador to the IAEA, Kazem Gharibabadi, said on Twitter Tehran had also started installing IR-6 centrifuges at Fordow, a site dug into a mountain where Iran has begun enriching uranium to the 20% purity it last achieved before the 2015 deal. The IAEA report made no mention of that.

Earlier on Tuesday Israel`s energy minister said it would now take Iran about six months to produce enough fissile material for one nuclear weapon, a timeline almost twice as long as that anticipated by a senior Biden administration official.

Iran denies any intent to weaponise enrichment. The nuclear deal sets a limit of 3.67% enrichment purity, suitable for producing civilian nuclear energy and far below the 90% that is weapons-grade.

Iran has deepened a key breach of its 2015 nuclear deal, enriching uranium with a larger number of advanced centrifuge machines in an underground plant as it faces off with the new U.

Iran has deepened a key breach of its 2015 nuclear deal, enriching uranium with a larger number of advanced centrifuge machines in an underground plant as it faces off with the new U.S. administration on salvaging the accord. Tehran has recently accelerated its breaches of the deal, raising pressure on U.S. President Joe Biden as both sides say they are willing to come back into compliance with the badly eroded agreement if the other side moves first. Iran began its breaches in 2019 in response to Washington`s withdrawal in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump and the reimposition of U.S. economic sanctions against Tehran that were lifted under the deal. The accord says Iran can refine uranium only at its main enrichment site - an underground plant at Natanz - with first-generation IR-1 centrifuges. Last year Iran began enriching there with a cascade, or cluster, of much more efficient IR-2m machines and in December said it would install three more. "Iran has completed the installation of one of these three cascades, containing 174 IR-2m centrifuges, and, on 30 January 2021, Iran began feeding the cascade with UF6," the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a report obtained by Reuters on Tuesday, referring to uranium hexafluoride feedstock. The IAEA later confirmed that the Islamic Republic had started enriching with the second cascade. Tehran is also pressing ahead with the installation of more advanced centrifuges, the report indicated. Of the remaining two cascades of IR-2m machines, installation of one had begun while the other`s installation was "nearing completion", it said. Iran`s ambassador to the IAEA, Kazem Gharibabadi, said on Twitter Tehran had also started installing IR-6 centrifuges at Fordow, a site dug into a mountain where Iran has begun enriching uranium to the 20% purity it last achieved before the 2015 deal. The IAEA report made no mention of that. Earlier on Tuesday Israel`s energy minister said it would now take Iran about six months to produce enough fissile material for one nuclear weapon, a timeline almost twice as long as that anticipated by a senior Biden administration official. Iran denies any intent to weaponise enrichment. The nuclear deal sets a limit of 3.67% enrichment purity, suitable for producing civilian nuclear energy and far below the 90% that is weapons-grade.

Iran deepens breach of nuclear deal at underground enrichment site

Israel is wary of the administration's intent to reenter the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal and has long opposed the agreement.

Israel criticises Biden administration's bid to rejoin Iran Nuclear Deal

As Joe Biden completes his first week in office, the US President faces a new challenge in West Asia. While Russia and Iran are calling for a rescue of the 2015 nuclear deal, Israel has warned the United States against rejoining the deal.

The West Asia Post | Will it be a long road to the Iran nuclear deal?

Israel has announced that it has radiate plans against Iran to specifically counter Tehran's nuclear capability. He also warned the Biden administration against rejoining the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

WION Fineprint: Israel Army Chief ordered plans to attack Iran

UN's nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) said today that Iran has started enriching uranium to 20 per cent after the country announced it had begun the process of enriching uranium at the underground Fordow facility.

Watch:

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"Iran today began feeding uranium already enriched up to 4.1 per cent U-235 into six centrifuge cascades at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant for further enrichment up to 20 per cent," the IAEA said.

Reports said President Hassan Rouhani had ordered the enrichment process days earlier. The European Union warned that Iran's decision was "considerable departure" from the nuclear deal.

Iran government spokesman Ali Rabei had said earlier that "a few minutes ago, the process of producing 20% enriched uranium has started in Fordow enrichment complex".&nbsp;

Iran had signed the nuclear deal with five permanent members of the UN Security Council Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States including Germany, however, the Trump administration had walked out of the deal in 2018 and imposed sanctions on its oil and bank sectors.

Iran had earlier appealed to the European nations to back the deal, however, it had started walking back on the deal as it informed the IAEA that it had started using advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium.

In 2019, Iran had informed the IAEA that the uranium enrichment had increased ten-fold and it had developed two new advanced centrifuges.&nbsp;

EU spokesman Peter Stano warned Iran's nuclear enrichment "would constitute a considerable departure from Iran's nuclear commitments under the JCPOA."

UN's nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) said today that Iran has started enriching uranium to 20 per cent after the country announced it had begun the process of enriching uranium at the underground Fordow facility.

UN's nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) said today that Iran has started enriching uranium to 20 per cent after the country announced it had begun the process of enriching uranium at the underground Fordow facility. Watch: "Iran today began feeding uranium already enriched up to 4.1 per cent U-235 into six centrifuge cascades at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant for further enrichment up to 20 per cent," the IAEA said. Reports said President Hassan Rouhani had ordered the enrichment process days earlier. The European Union warned that Iran's decision was "considerable departure" from the nuclear deal. Iran government spokesman Ali Rabei had said earlier that "a few minutes ago, the process of producing 20% enriched uranium has started in Fordow enrichment complex". Iran had signed the nuclear deal with five permanent members of the UN Security Council Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States including Germany, however, the Trump administration had walked out of the deal in 2018 and imposed sanctions on its oil and bank sectors. Iran had earlier appealed to the European nations to back the deal, however, it had started walking back on the deal as it informed the IAEA that it had started using advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium. In 2019, Iran had informed the IAEA that the uranium enrichment had increased ten-fold and it had developed two new advanced centrifuges. EU spokesman Peter Stano warned Iran's nuclear enrichment "would constitute a considerable departure from Iran's nuclear commitments under the JCPOA."

Iran has started enriching uranium to 20%, confirms IAEA

World powers party to Iran nuclear deal struck by Brack Obama administration on Wednesday went into a huddle to diffuse tension and to decide plan of action under mounting pressure from Iranian breaches and US sanctions. Representatives of China, France, Russia, Iran, Germany and Britain also discussed the uncertainty before US President-elect Joe Biden takes office. The discussion took place via video conference.

During the discussion, one of the diplomats urged Iran to stick to deal.

Nuclear deal with Iran was struck by these world powers after former US President Barack Obama's initiative in 2015. However, Donald Trump withdrew America from the deal. Remaining countries are still party to the pact.

US President-elect Joe Biden has indicated that US would rejoin the deal.

Senior EU foreign affairs official Helga Schmid issued a brief statement following the talks she chaired.

"Participants discussed... how to ensure the full and effective implementation of the agreement by all sides in light of existing challenges," it said.

While she did not say what those challenges were, the deal has unravelled steadily since Trump withdrew from it in 2018 and went on to impose crippling economic sanctions on Iran.&nbsp;

Tehran has retaliated by progressively abandoning limits on its nuclear activity laid down in the deal, most recently planning to install advanced centrifuges at Iran's main nuclear enrichment plant in Natanz.

World powers party to Iran nuclear deal struck by Brack Obama administration on Wednesday went into a huddle to diffuse tension and to decide plan of action under mounting pressure from Iranian breaches and US sanctions.

World powers party to Iran nuclear deal struck by Brack Obama administration on Wednesday went into a huddle to diffuse tension and to decide plan of action under mounting pressure from Iranian breaches and US sanctions. Representatives of China, France, Russia, Iran, Germany and Britain also discussed the uncertainty before US President-elect Joe Biden takes office. The discussion took place via video conference. During the discussion, one of the diplomats urged Iran to stick to deal. Nuclear deal with Iran was struck by these world powers after former US President Barack Obama's initiative in 2015. However, Donald Trump withdrew America from the deal. Remaining countries are still party to the pact. US President-elect Joe Biden has indicated that US would rejoin the deal. Senior EU foreign affairs official Helga Schmid issued a brief statement following the talks she chaired. "Participants discussed... how to ensure the full and effective implementation of the agreement by all sides in light of existing challenges," it said. While she did not say what those challenges were, the deal has unravelled steadily since Trump withdrew from it in 2018 and went on to impose crippling economic sanctions on Iran. Tehran has retaliated by progressively abandoning limits on its nuclear activity laid down in the deal, most recently planning to install advanced centrifuges at Iran's main nuclear enrichment plant in Natanz.

Iran nuclear deal: World powers try to diffuse tension

President-elect Joe Biden has promised to move quickly to rejoin the nuclear deal with Iran so long as Iran also comes back into compliance. But that vow is easier said than done.

While Biden’s pledge pleased the deal’s other signatories, who were angry that President Donald Trump withdrew from it two years ago, returning to the way things were maybe impossible, complicated by both Iranian and U.S. politics.

Trump, even as a lame duck, is moving quickly to increase U.S. sanctions against Iran and sell advanced weapons to its regional enemies, policies that would be difficult for a new president to reverse.

Last week, he asked his advisers for options to launch a military strike against Iran but appears to have been talked out of it. His aides argued that an attack could quickly lead to a larger war.

Iran, where President Hassan Rouhani faces strong opposition from conservatives in elections set for June 2021, is expected to demand a high price to return to the deal, including the immediate lifting of the punishing sanctions imposed by the Trump administration and billions of dollars in compensation for them.

Those are demands that Biden is highly unlikely to meet — especially given strong congressional opposition.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has tried to pass on to Biden’s advisers through intermediaries Tehran’s insistence that the United States return to the Iran deal unconditionally before any talks resume, according to Iranian diplomats.

The diplomats say that Iran is not interested in a temporary freeze and will not stop enriching uranium or reduce its large stockpile in the meantime. They said that Iran would return to full compliance with the deal when the United States does.

Advisers to Biden do not confirm receiving any messages from Iran and say they will only deal with the issue after the inauguration.

Iran has some leverage. When Trump took office, Iran had roughly 102 kilograms, or about 225 pounds, of enriched uranium, whose production was limited by the 2015 agreement. After the United States withdrew, Iran declared it was no longer bound by the agreement and resumed enriching uranium at higher levels.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said last week that Iran now had more than 2,440 kilograms, which is more than eight times the limit set by the 2015 nuclear deal. The “breakout” time for Iran to possibly make a nuclear weapon — an ambition it denies — is now considerably shorter than a year.

During the campaign, Biden called Trump’s decision to abandon the deal “reckless” and said it ended up isolating the United States, not Iran.

“I will offer Tehran a credible path back to diplomacy,” Biden wrote in a September op-ed for CNN. “If Iran returns to strict compliance with the nuclear deal, the United States would rejoin the agreement as a starting point for follow-on negotiations.”

A week ago, after Biden’s victory, Rouhani welcomed the initiative, calling it “an opportunity” for the United States “to compensate for its previous mistakes and return to the path of adherence to international commitments.”

The choice of the word “compensate” was not accidental, said Robert Einhorn, a nuclear arms-control negotiator now at the Brookings Institution. Iran says it wants Washington to pay for the billions of dollars in economic losses it incurred when Trump pulled the United States out of the Iran deal in 2018 and reinstituted sanctions that it had lifted.

Since then, Trump has piled on more sanctions. This maximum pressure campaign, as the administration has called it, devastated Iran’s economy but failed to push Iran back to the negotiating table or to curtail its involvement in Iraq, Syria or Lebanon.

The administration is also trying to further limit Iran’s support for proxy militias in those countries. It is selling more sophisticated weapons to the Arab monarchies in the Persian Gulf — countries that see Iran as an enemy and have their own regional ambitions — and accelerating the transfer of F-35 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates.

Some think Trump will take more kinetic measures, including further sabotage and cyberattacks on Iran’s nuclear or missile programs or even military action, which Israel, Egypt and the Gulf allies would most likely support.

“I don’t think the administration is finished on the Iran issue,” said Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a long-standing supporter of a tough policy on Iran. “I think people are going to run hard for the next three months against Iran, knowing that after January there could be a very different Iran policy in place.”

Iranian negotiators know that the United States would never provide financial compensation, Einhorn said. “But they may stake out a tough negotiating position, especially given the dynamics of their upcoming election.” He suggested that Iran would demand not just the removal of the nuclear-related sanctions but also those imposed for human rights violations, ballistic missile development and support for terrorist groups, which a Biden administration would find politically and technically difficult to do.

Short of a quick reentry into the nuclear deal, Einhorn said, the parties should work toward an interim agreement, in which Iran would roll back a meaningful part of its current nuclear buildup in exchange for partial sanctions relief — especially giving Iran access to some of its oil revenues now blocked in overseas bank accounts. Iran might welcome such an interim arrangement if it gave the economy a quick boost, especially before the mid-June elections.

But given the complications of the U.S. transition of power, with the requirements for security clearances and Senate confirmation already slowed by Trump’s refusal to concede defeat and cooperate with Biden, top officials might not be in place very soon. The practical window between inauguration Jan. 20 and June is likely to be only two or three months, which argues for a rapidly constructed “back channel” between Washington and Tehran after Biden takes office.

Despite Trump’s pressure campaign, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has kept the door open to a U.S. return, refusing to completely abandon the nuclear deal, said Ellie Geranmayeh, an Iran expert with the European Council on Foreign Relations.

Iranians opposed to the initial deal argue that the United States has proved it cannot be trusted, and Iran rejected any negotiations with Trump. But Khamenei provided Rouhani “the green light, the political space to make these messages to a Biden administration” about Iran’s desire for Washington to return to the deal, Geranmayeh said.

At the same time, she noted, Rouhani’s hard-line opponents will not want him “to get this win before the elections in June, and they will look to jam this effort as the Republicans will try to jam Biden’s,” she said. Biden could quickly lift a number of sanctions tied to Iran’s nuclear activities, including approving more waivers allowing Iran to sell oil. He could ease travel restrictions on Iranian citizens, increase humanitarian trade by easing banking impediments, and lift sanctions on some key officials, like Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, the main nuclear negotiator.

But sanctions instituted under the category of counterterrorism and human rights, like those against the Revolutionary Guard, would be harder to void, especially because many Democrats also support them. But Geranmayeh said that Iran would insist that the United States lift the sanction against the Central Bank of Iran, accused of financing designated terrorist groups, so that it can once again use the global banking system.

If the Iran deal can be reconstituted, Iran has said it is open to talks on other issues, especially regional concerns around Iraq and Syria. But Iran has so far refused to put on the table its missile program, which is already under separate U.S. and U.N. sanctions.

The key, as with all major policies in Iran, is Khamenei, now 81. He regards the U.S. as a doomed country in “political, civil and moral decline.” He went along with the nuclear deal because it promised significant economic benefits from the lifting of sanctions and now apparently regards his skepticism about the United States as confirmed by Trump’s withdrawal from the pact.

But with the change in U.S. leadership, he again sees the possibility of easing the economic straitjacket that renewed U.S. sanctions have imposed.

“Despite Khamenei’s hubris, a Biden presidency presents both an opportunity and a challenge for Tehran,” Karim Sadjadpour of the Carnegie Endowment wrote. “The opportunity is a chance to improve the country’s moribund economy; the challenge is that Tehran will no longer be able to effectively use President Donald Trump as a pretext or distraction for its domestic repression, economic failures and regional aggression.”

President-elect Joe Biden has promised to move quickly to rejoin the nuclear deal with Iran so long as Iran also comes back into compliance. But that vow is easier said than done.

President-elect Joe Biden has promised to move quickly to rejoin the nuclear deal with Iran so long as Iran also comes back into compliance. But that vow is easier said than done. While Biden’s pledge pleased the deal’s other signatories, who were angry that President Donald Trump withdrew from it two years ago, returning to the way things were maybe impossible, complicated by both Iranian and U.S. politics. Trump, even as a lame duck, is moving quickly to increase U.S. sanctions against Iran and sell advanced weapons to its regional enemies, policies that would be difficult for a new president to reverse. Last week, he asked his advisers for options to launch a military strike against Iran but appears to have been talked out of it. His aides argued that an attack could quickly lead to a larger war. Iran, where President Hassan Rouhani faces strong opposition from conservatives in elections set for June 2021, is expected to demand a high price to return to the deal, including the immediate lifting of the punishing sanctions imposed by the Trump administration and billions of dollars in compensation for them. Those are demands that Biden is highly unlikely to meet — especially given strong congressional opposition. Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has tried to pass on to Biden’s advisers through intermediaries Tehran’s insistence that the United States return to the Iran deal unconditionally before any talks resume, according to Iranian diplomats. The diplomats say that Iran is not interested in a temporary freeze and will not stop enriching uranium or reduce its large stockpile in the meantime. They said that Iran would return to full compliance with the deal when the United States does. Advisers to Biden do not confirm receiving any messages from Iran and say they will only deal with the issue after the inauguration. Iran has some leverage. When Trump took office, Iran had roughly 102 kilograms, or about 225 pounds, of enriched uranium, whose production was limited by the 2015 agreement. After the United States withdrew, Iran declared it was no longer bound by the agreement and resumed enriching uranium at higher levels. The International Atomic Energy Agency said last week that Iran now had more than 2,440 kilograms, which is more than eight times the limit set by the 2015 nuclear deal. The “breakout” time for Iran to possibly make a nuclear weapon — an ambition it denies — is now considerably shorter than a year. During the campaign, Biden called Trump’s decision to abandon the deal “reckless” and said it ended up isolating the United States, not Iran. “I will offer Tehran a credible path back to diplomacy,” Biden wrote in a September op-ed for CNN. “If Iran returns to strict compliance with the nuclear deal, the United States would rejoin the agreement as a starting point for follow-on negotiations.” A week ago, after Biden’s victory, Rouhani welcomed the initiative, calling it “an opportunity” for the United States “to compensate for its previous mistakes and return to the path of adherence to international commitments.” The choice of the word “compensate” was not accidental, said Robert Einhorn, a nuclear arms-control negotiator now at the Brookings Institution. Iran says it wants Washington to pay for the billions of dollars in economic losses it incurred when Trump pulled the United States out of the Iran deal in 2018 and reinstituted sanctions that it had lifted. Since then, Trump has piled on more sanctions. This maximum pressure campaign, as the administration has called it, devastated Iran’s economy but failed to push Iran back to the negotiating table or to curtail its involvement in Iraq, Syria or Lebanon. The administration is also trying to further limit Iran’s support for proxy militias in those countries. It is selling more sophisticated weapons to the Arab monarchies in the Persian Gulf — countries that see Iran as an enemy and have their own regional ambitions — and accelerating the transfer of F-35 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates. Some think Trump will take more kinetic measures, including further sabotage and cyberattacks on Iran’s nuclear or missile programs or even military action, which Israel, Egypt and the Gulf allies would most likely support. “I don’t think the administration is finished on the Iran issue,” said Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a long-standing supporter of a tough policy on Iran. “I think people are going to run hard for the next three months against Iran, knowing that after January there could be a very different Iran policy in place.” Iranian negotiators know that the United States would never provide financial compensation, Einhorn said. “But they may stake out a tough negotiating position, especially given the dynamics of their upcoming election.” He suggested that Iran would demand not just the removal of the nuclear-related sanctions but also those imposed for human rights violations, ballistic missile development and support for terrorist groups, which a Biden administration would find politically and technically difficult to do. Short of a quick reentry into the nuclear deal, Einhorn said, the parties should work toward an interim agreement, in which Iran would roll back a meaningful part of its current nuclear buildup in exchange for partial sanctions relief — especially giving Iran access to some of its oil revenues now blocked in overseas bank accounts. Iran might welcome such an interim arrangement if it gave the economy a quick boost, especially before the mid-June elections. But given the complications of the U.S. transition of power, with the requirements for security clearances and Senate confirmation already slowed by Trump’s refusal to concede defeat and cooperate with Biden, top officials might not be in place very soon. The practical window between inauguration Jan. 20 and June is likely to be only two or three months, which argues for a rapidly constructed “back channel” between Washington and Tehran after Biden takes office. Despite Trump’s pressure campaign, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has kept the door open to a U.S. return, refusing to completely abandon the nuclear deal, said Ellie Geranmayeh, an Iran expert with the European Council on Foreign Relations. Iranians opposed to the initial deal argue that the United States has proved it cannot be trusted, and Iran rejected any negotiations with Trump. But Khamenei provided Rouhani “the green light, the political space to make these messages to a Biden administration” about Iran’s desire for Washington to return to the deal, Geranmayeh said. At the same time, she noted, Rouhani’s hard-line opponents will not want him “to get this win before the elections in June, and they will look to jam this effort as the Republicans will try to jam Biden’s,” she said. Biden could quickly lift a number of sanctions tied to Iran’s nuclear activities, including approving more waivers allowing Iran to sell oil. He could ease travel restrictions on Iranian citizens, increase humanitarian trade by easing banking impediments, and lift sanctions on some key officials, like Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, the main nuclear negotiator. But sanctions instituted under the category of counterterrorism and human rights, like those against the Revolutionary Guard, would be harder to void, especially because many Democrats also support them. But Geranmayeh said that Iran would insist that the United States lift the sanction against the Central Bank of Iran, accused of financing designated terrorist groups, so that it can once again use the global banking system. If the Iran deal can be reconstituted, Iran has said it is open to talks on other issues, especially regional concerns around Iraq and Syria. But Iran has so far refused to put on the table its missile program, which is already under separate U.S. and U.N. sanctions. The key, as with all major policies in Iran, is Khamenei, now 81. He regards the U.S. as a doomed country in “political, civil and moral decline.” He went along with the nuclear deal because it promised significant economic benefits from the lifting of sanctions and now apparently regards his skepticism about the United States as confirmed by Trump’s withdrawal from the pact. But with the change in U.S. leadership, he again sees the possibility of easing the economic straitjacket that renewed U.S. sanctions have imposed. “Despite Khamenei’s hubris, a Biden presidency presents both an opportunity and a challenge for Tehran,” Karim Sadjadpour of the Carnegie Endowment wrote. “The opportunity is a chance to improve the country’s moribund economy; the challenge is that Tehran will no longer be able to effectively use President Donald Trump as a pretext or distraction for its domestic repression, economic failures and regional aggression.”

Biden wants to rejoin Iran nuclear deal, but it won’t be easy

China's foreign minister Wang Yi has called for a new forum to defuse tensions in the Middle East after a meeting with his Iranian counterpart.

According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang reiterated Beijing's support for Tehran in the meeting.

Wang and Javid Zarif also reaffirmed their commitment to Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers -- an implicit rebuke of the United States for abandoning the accord during their Saturday meeting in China's southwestern Tengchong city.

"China proposes to build a regional multilateral dialogue platform with equal participation of all stakeholders," said the Chinese foreign ministry statement.

The forum would "enhance mutual understanding through dialogue and explore political and diplomatic solutions to security issues in the Middle East", the statement added.

Wang added that support for the Iranian nuclear deal, negotiated by the Obama administration but ultimately abandoned by Donald Trump, would be a precondition of entry to the forum.

Zarif said on Twitter his "fruitful talks" with Wang amounted to a rejection of "US unilateralism" and had also focused on strategic ties and collaboration on the development of a coronavirus vaccine.

Iran has been locked in an acrimonious relationship with Saudi Arabia, the other major Middle Eastern power, over the war in Yemen, Iranian influence in Iraq and Saudi support for Washington's sanctions on Tehran.

China's foreign minister Wang Yi has called for a new forum to defuse tensions in the Middle East after a meeting with his Iranian counterpart. According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang reiterated Beijing's support for Tehran in the meeting.

China's foreign minister Wang Yi has called for a new forum to defuse tensions in the Middle East after a meeting with his Iranian counterpart. According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang reiterated Beijing's support for Tehran in the meeting. Wang and Javid Zarif also reaffirmed their commitment to Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers -- an implicit rebuke of the United States for abandoning the accord during their Saturday meeting in China's southwestern Tengchong city. "China proposes to build a regional multilateral dialogue platform with equal participation of all stakeholders," said the Chinese foreign ministry statement. The forum would "enhance mutual understanding through dialogue and explore political and diplomatic solutions to security issues in the Middle East", the statement added. Wang added that support for the Iranian nuclear deal, negotiated by the Obama administration but ultimately abandoned by Donald Trump, would be a precondition of entry to the forum. Zarif said on Twitter his "fruitful talks" with Wang amounted to a rejection of "US unilateralism" and had also focused on strategic ties and collaboration on the development of a coronavirus vaccine. Iran has been locked in an acrimonious relationship with Saudi Arabia, the other major Middle Eastern power, over the war in Yemen, Iranian influence in Iraq and Saudi support for Washington's sanctions on Tehran.

China backs Iran nuclear deal, calls for new MidEast forum

Amid the sanctions row over Iran, the differences between the United States and United Nations Security Council(UNSC) members Britain, France and Germany have come out in the open as US officials said that "UN sanctions against Iran will come back into place this weekend."

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/irans-plot-to-kill-us-envoy-to-south-africa-avenge-qassem-soleimanis-killing-by-us-327793/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<a href="Is the US-brokered Abraham Accord a regional front against Iran?">Also Read:&nbsp;Is the US-brokered Abraham Accord a regional front against Iran?</a>

UNSC members Britain, France and Germany have however contested the US sanctions and informed the UN body that they favour sanctions relief for Iran. The Trump administration had pulled out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, however, the US insists it is still a participant since its name is still listed.

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo had last month triggered the 30-day process at the UNSC to enforce UN sanctions on Iran. However, 13 members of the Security Council say the Trump administration's move is void as it is no longer part of the nuclear deal. The US government had introduced the "snapback," which aims to re-establish all sanctions against Iran on August 20.

Earlier last month, the Trump administration had moved to extend arms embargo on Iran at the UNSC but had suffered a defeat. Pompeo hit back at US allies saying they were "siding with Iran's Ayatollahs."&nbsp;

Pompeo had asserted that the US would "do all the things we need to do to make sure that those sanctions are enforced."&nbsp;

"We are going to act in a way -- and we have acted in a way -- that will prevent Iran from being able to purchase Chinese tanks and Russian air defence systems," he said, adding, "We expect every nation to comply with UN Security Council resolutions - period, full stop."

Amid the sanctions row over Iran, the differences between the United States and United Nations Security Council(UNSC) members Britain, France and Germany have come out in the open as US officials said that "UN sanctions against Iran will come back into place this weekend.

Amid the sanctions row over Iran, the differences between the United States and United Nations Security Council(UNSC) members Britain, France and Germany have come out in the open as US officials said that "UN sanctions against Iran will come back into place this weekend." Watch: Also Read: Is the US-brokered Abraham Accord a regional front against Iran? UNSC members Britain, France and Germany have however contested the US sanctions and informed the UN body that they favour sanctions relief for Iran. The Trump administration had pulled out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, however, the US insists it is still a participant since its name is still listed. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo had last month triggered the 30-day process at the UNSC to enforce UN sanctions on Iran. However, 13 members of the Security Council say the Trump administration's move is void as it is no longer part of the nuclear deal. The US government had introduced the "snapback," which aims to re-establish all sanctions against Iran on August 20. Earlier last month, the Trump administration had moved to extend arms embargo on Iran at the UNSC but had suffered a defeat. Pompeo hit back at US allies saying they were "siding with Iran's Ayatollahs." Pompeo had asserted that the US would "do all the things we need to do to make sure that those sanctions are enforced." "We are going to act in a way -- and we have acted in a way -- that will prevent Iran from being able to purchase Chinese tanks and Russian air defence systems," he said, adding, "We expect every nation to comply with UN Security Council resolutions - period, full stop."

US, UNSC members struggle over 'snapback' option as Iran sanctions deadline looms

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