IRAN-US WAR: Iran has issued a fresh warning to the United States, with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf saying Tehran will no longer limit itself to “proportionate” responses. He warned that any future attack on Iranian interests or security would trigger a “faster, heavier and more painful” response.

The warning comes amid a sharp escalation around the Strait of Hormuz, with the US and Iran exchanging attacks at sea. The United States has struck three Iranian oil tankers, while Iran has claimed attacks against US-linked vessels and American warships. Some Iranian claims about damage to US vessels have been disputed by Washington.

The IRGC has also claimed that Iranian forces fired missiles at a US aircraft carrier and destroyer. The claims come as Washington continues its naval and economic pressure campaign against Tehran.

IRAN-US WAR | Iran Warns US Of ‘Faster, Heavier, More Painful’ Response As Hormuz Tensions Escalate

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has announced an “Operation Economic Outcast" against Iran in August and vowed to target Iran's economic interests across the globe. He called this "the single greatest financial offensive ever" and warned of dire consequences against any companies or banks that maintain economic ties with Iran. The option is either to choose between maintaining commercial ties with Tehran and access to the US financial system.&nbsp;Washington's goals are ambitious; it wants to isolate Iran and punish countries that trade with it. It has said these sanctions will target Iran’s aviation, digital assets, gold, technology and shipping sectors, as well as 60 specific individuals and vessels. According to the Treasury Department release on Monday, there are also secondary penalties targeting ships based in or associated with countries including Singapore, Hong Kong and China.&nbsp;“Around the globe, our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone,” &nbsp;said Bessent. When asked whether these same sanctions will work for China, Bessent maintained that “no one is above the reach of US sanctions”. However, China has explicitly stated that it was opposed to "illegal unilateral sanctions" and would take "all necessary measures" to safeguard its rights.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-warns-us-iran-sanctions-tehran-fully-prepared-1787656676823">China warns US as Iran sanctions widen; Tehran says it is 'fully prepared'</a><h2>Will these sanctions work?</h2>Iran has been under sanctions for roughly 47 years, since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, when the US embassy in Iran was seized, and US citizens were captured to create a hostage situation. Since then, the US has imposed harsh sanctions specifically targeting Iran's oil industry. These have increased incrementally. Until the JCPOA under Barack Obama, when Iran signed a nuclear deal in 2015. But Donald Trump unilaterally walked out of the deal in 2018 and reimposed those sanctions/Historically, sanctions have failed to produce desired policy outcomes. For example, US sanctions targeting the IRGC to stop supporting proxies or to fully halt Iran's nuclear activities have failed. Further, these sanctions are like nets, not clouds. They have gaps in them by design, and Iran has spent roughly four decades finding those gaps.&nbsp;Iran has, over time, adopted ways to overcome these sanctions; it has used cryptocurrency to circumvent these long-standing sanctions from the US financial system and facilitate transactions involving the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It has its own shadow fleet of tankers changing names and flags to evade the US Navy, moving oil through opaque arrangements; it has used the Iraqi banking system as an economic "lung" to source hard currency. Payments are done through intermediaries, front companies substituting for conventional businesses. Iran acted opportunistically, carving out ways as required, instead of colliding head-on with the US empire.Analysts suggest that these sanctions might increase the cost of war. It might secure some concessions for the US, but weak multilateral implementation is also reducing the scope of any concrete outcome. China is the largest trading partner of Iran. It bought roughly 90 per cent of Iran's exported oil, roughly 12 per cent of China's total crude imports in 2025. China has not logged a single barrel of Iranian oil import in official customs data since 2022, but Iran still raised roughly $31 billion in revenue. China works as the decisive enabler; Washington knows this. As long as China keeps buying and its banks are willing to absorb the secondary sanctions, Washington can just increase Iran's fiscal pain without securing any concrete policy outcomes.&nbsp;Washington has sanctioned small Chinese refineries but has not risked sanctioning major Chinese banks yet. If they do, the ceiling will close in on Tehran, but it might also risk a trade war with China and a potential fallout on the global economy. Iran might become more aggressive on the shipping routes in Hormuz and Bab el Mandeb. Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit Washington on September 24, 2026. This will be Xi's first visit in 11 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has vowed an economic offensive against Iran, but China’s continued trade could limit its impact.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has announced an “Operation Economic Outcast" against Iran in August and vowed to target Iran's economic interests across the globe. He called this "the single greatest financial offensive ever" and warned of dire consequences against any companies or banks that maintain economic ties with Iran. The option is either to choose between maintaining commercial ties with Tehran and access to the US financial system. Washington's goals are ambitious; it wants to isolate Iran and punish countries that trade with it. It has said these sanctions will target Iran’s aviation, digital assets, gold, technology and shipping sectors, as well as 60 specific individuals and vessels. According to the Treasury Department release on Monday, there are also secondary penalties targeting ships based in or associated with countries including Singapore, Hong Kong and China. “Around the globe, our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone,” said Bessent. When asked whether these same sanctions will work for China, Bessent maintained that “no one is above the reach of US sanctions”. However, China has explicitly stated that it was opposed to "illegal unilateral sanctions" and would take "all necessary measures" to safeguard its rights. Also Read: China warns US as Iran sanctions widen; Tehran says it is 'fully prepared' Will these sanctions work? Iran has been under sanctions for roughly 47 years, since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, when the US embassy in Iran was seized, and US citizens were captured to create a hostage situation. Since then, the US has imposed harsh sanctions specifically targeting Iran's oil industry. These have increased incrementally. Until the JCPOA under Barack Obama, when Iran signed a nuclear deal in 2015. But Donald Trump unilaterally walked out of the deal in 2018 and reimposed those sanctions/ Historically, sanctions have failed to produce desired policy outcomes. For example, US sanctions targeting the IRGC to stop supporting proxies or to fully halt Iran's nuclear activities have failed. Further, these sanctions are like nets, not clouds. They have gaps in them by design, and Iran has spent roughly four decades finding those gaps. Iran has, over time, adopted ways to overcome these sanctions; it has used cryptocurrency to circumvent these long-standing sanctions from the US financial system and facilitate transactions involving the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It has its own shadow fleet of tankers changing names and flags to evade the US Navy, moving oil through opaque arrangements; it has used the Iraqi banking system as an economic "lung" to source hard currency. Payments are done through intermediaries, front companies substituting for conventional businesses. Iran acted opportunistically, carving out ways as required, instead of colliding head-on with the US empire. Analysts suggest that these sanctions might increase the cost of war. It might secure some concessions for the US, but weak multilateral implementation is also reducing the scope of any concrete outcome. China is the largest trading partner of Iran. It bought roughly 90 per cent of Iran's exported oil, roughly 12 per cent of China's total crude imports in 2025. China has not logged a single barrel of Iranian oil import in official customs data since 2022, but Iran still raised roughly $31 billion in revenue. China works as the decisive enabler; Washington knows this. As long as China keeps buying and its banks are willing to absorb the secondary sanctions, Washington can just increase Iran's fiscal pain without securing any concrete policy outcomes. Washington has sanctioned small Chinese refineries but has not risked sanctioning major Chinese banks yet. If they do, the ceiling will close in on Tehran, but it might also risk a trade war with China and a potential fallout on the global economy. Iran might become more aggressive on the shipping routes in Hormuz and Bab el Mandeb. Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit Washington on September 24, 2026. This will be Xi's first visit in 11 years.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has vowed an economic offensive against Iran, but China’s continued trade could limit its impact.

Will Trump’s new Iran sanctions work? China holds the key

The United States has significantly expanded its sanctions campaign against Iran, targeting 60 entities, individuals and vessels accused of facilitating Iranian oil exports and sanctions evasion. The latest measures are aimed at disrupting Tehran's energy revenues by targeting buyers, intermediaries, shipping operators and financial facilitators across multiple countries. Among those sanctioned are four India-based firms, which Washington alleges were involved in transactions linked to Iranian petroleum trade. The move marks one of the broadest sanctions actions in recent months as the U.S. intensifies its economic pressure campaign against Tehran.

Iran war: Washington expands Iran sanctions, targets 60 entities and vessels worldwide

Iran is facing a worsening economic crisis as the Iranian rial has plunged beyond the historic 2 million mark against the U.S. dollar on the open market. The sharp currency collapse comes amid renewed international pressure, escalating sanctions, and growing concerns over inflation and economic instability. President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged the hardships facing ordinary Iranians, describing the situation as a full-scale economic and security war. As businesses and households struggle with rising prices and a weakening currency, questions are mounting over Iran's economic future and its ability to withstand mounting external pressure.

Iranian Rial hits historic low: Pezeshkian admits Iran faces 'many problems' 

Iran has issued a stark warning to countries considering joining the United States’ campaign of economic pressure against Tehran, saying nations that participate in the “economic war” will be considered enemies. The warning was issued by Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Rezaei specifically warned neighbouring countries against cooperating with Washington’s efforts to isolate the Iranian economy. He said Iran could retaliate against countries that assist the U.S. campaign and target their interests.

The warning comes after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a major new economic campaign against Iran, with Washington preparing additional sanctions aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran.

Iran: Nations Joining the Economic War Will Be Considered Enemies

Iran has warned neighbouring countries against joining what Tehran describes as a US economic war, threatening action against countries that participate in Washington's campaign to isolate the Iranian economy.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei reportedly issued the warning on state television, saying countries that impose economic restrictions on Iran would be considered enemies.

He warned that Tehran would first seek negotiations with such countries and urge them to distance themselves from Washington. However, he said Iran could target the interests of countries that refuse to change course.

Rezaei also said Iran had so far focused its attacks on US military bases rather than American economic interests. But he warned that further US sanctions could lead Iran to target American oil and economic companies in the region and elsewhere.

US President Donald Trump has meanwhile threatened severe economic consequences for countries providing what he described as a lifeline to Iran.

Iran Warns US Allies Over Sanctions As Hormuz Tensions And Regional Crisis Escalate

Iran's missile campaign is putting growing pressure on US military operations across West Asia, while Washington weighs its next move and President Donald Trump turns increasingly toward economic pressure and sanctions.

The USS Abraham Lincoln has become a central focus of the conflict, with questions emerging over resupply, deployment pressures and the ability of US forces to sustain extended operations in the region.

The conflict has also placed major pressure on American logistics infrastructure. Following attacks on key regional facilities, US forces have reportedly had to rely on alternative supply routes, including facilities farther from the Gulf.

Iranian missile attacks have forced US commanders to protect military bases, naval vessels and logistics hubs across the region, while American warships continue moving through strategically important waters.

Iran Missiles Pressure US War Machine As Trump Weighs Exit, Sanctions And Hormuz Crisis Deepen

Iran-US tensions are intensifying as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian calls for an end to the month-long war while insisting that Tehran is negotiating from a position of strength. US President Donald Trump, however, says Iran is interested in a deal but is not yet ready to make what he considers the “right deal.”

Trump has also claimed that the United States has total control of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important waterways. The comments come as Washington increases economic and maritime pressure on Tehran.

Iran has rejected the latest US pressure campaign and warned that further threats could trigger a strong military response. Iranian officials say Tehran remains prepared to defend its strategic waterways and interests across the region.

Meanwhile, the United States is expected to announce new sanctions targeting Iran, while discussions involving Iran and Oman continue over possible conditions for resuming talks, including security and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran-US War: Tehran Calls For End To Month-Long Conflict |Trump Says Iran Not Ready For “Right Deal”

As the war with Iran approaches the six-month mark and US stockpiles of key weapons come under increasing pressure, the Trump administration is shifting its focus toward an aggressive economic campaign against Tehran. President Donald Trump this week announced what he described as an ‘unprecedented’ level of economic warfare and isolation against Iran. The administration says the campaign is designed to pressure Iran’s leadership into abandoning its nuclear program and fully reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz to oil and natural gas tankers.&nbsp;The economic push comes as Trump confronts an increasingly unpopular war that has so far failed to produce a clear path toward an end. With crucial midterm elections approaching and control of Congress at stake, the administration is putting greater emphasis on sanctions and financial pressure in an effort to force Tehran into submission. Iran, however, has experienced decades of U.S. sanctions and has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to adapt to economic restrictions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded to the latest threat Friday by posting the history of US sanctions against Iran on X. “We have seen this movie before. Same bull. Different bullies.”&nbsp;The administration’s strategy has received support from Iran hawks, who argue that intensified economic pressure could eventually force Tehran to make major concessions. Other analysts, however, warn that Washington may be repeating mistakes made by previous administrations.<h2>Threat of secondary sanctions</h2>Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent offered a glimpse into the next phase of the campaign during a CNBC interview on Thursday. He warned that the United States could impose secondary sanctions on countries and companies that continue doing business with Iran. Bessent did not identify potential targets. The earlier phase of Operation Economic Fury focused largely on individuals and entities involved in buying Iranian oil or accessing the country’s financial system.&nbsp;China and India are among the major purchasers of Iranian oil, meaning any broader secondary-sanctions campaign could have significant consequences for Washington’s relations with two major Asian powers. “If you insist on doing business with them, then the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government will put its full might and force against you,” Bessent said. “It’s time for our allies and the rest of the world to make a decision.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-dr-congo-s-bundibugyo-ebola-outbreak-became-its-deadliest-explained-1787312611253">Why DR Congo's Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak became its deadliest? EXPLAINED</a><h2>Secondary sanctions could hurt US interests</h2>Most major parts of Iran’s energy, financial and transportation sectors are already subject to US sanctions. The administration’s next step therefore appears likely to involve targeting countries and companies that continue maintaining economic ties with Tehran. The strategy resembles the “maximum pressure” campaign Trump pursued during his first term, but this time it is being combined with military action.&nbsp;The experience of the first administration demonstrated the difficulties involved in enforcing secondary sanctions. Washington frequently faced pressure to grant waivers to countries dependent on Iranian oil, while aggressive enforcement risked damaging US economic and diplomatic interests. “Trump’s strategy now rests on targeting Tehran directly by impeding its touch points and access to the formal financial system and international economy,” said Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the FDD’s Iran program. “This will require making the Iran issue more important in U.S. bilateral relations with countries in Europe and Asia.”The challenge for Washington will be persuading allies and trading partners to accept the economic costs of cutting ties with Iran.<h2>Tehran says sanctions will not force surrender</h2>Iranian officials have rejected the idea that escalating economic pressure will force the government to accept Washington’s demands. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei accused the United States of returning to sanctions whenever diplomatic efforts become difficult. “Iran has demonstrated over decades that it will not be strangled by these exhausted refrains,” he said. “The real risk is that American politicians, clinging to this bad habit, will instead strangle their own remaining chances of a less humiliating exit from a crisis of their own making.”

Trump escalates economic warfare against Iran as the war nears six months, targeting Tehran with expanded sanctions and threatening secondary sanctions

As the war with Iran approaches the six-month mark and US stockpiles of key weapons come under increasing pressure, the Trump administration is shifting its focus toward an aggressive economic campaign against Tehran. President Donald Trump this week announced what he described as an ‘unprecedented’ level of economic warfare and isolation against Iran. The administration says the campaign is designed to pressure Iran’s leadership into abandoning its nuclear program and fully reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz to oil and natural gas tankers. The economic push comes as Trump confronts an increasingly unpopular war that has so far failed to produce a clear path toward an end. With crucial midterm elections approaching and control of Congress at stake, the administration is putting greater emphasis on sanctions and financial pressure in an effort to force Tehran into submission. Iran, however, has experienced decades of U.S. sanctions and has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to adapt to economic restrictions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded to the latest threat Friday by posting the history of US sanctions against Iran on X. “We have seen this movie before. Same bull. Different bullies.” The administration’s strategy has received support from Iran hawks, who argue that intensified economic pressure could eventually force Tehran to make major concessions. Other analysts, however, warn that Washington may be repeating mistakes made by previous administrations. Threat of secondary sanctions Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent offered a glimpse into the next phase of the campaign during a CNBC interview on Thursday. He warned that the United States could impose secondary sanctions on countries and companies that continue doing business with Iran. Bessent did not identify potential targets. The earlier phase of Operation Economic Fury focused largely on individuals and entities involved in buying Iranian oil or accessing the country’s financial system. China and India are among the major purchasers of Iranian oil, meaning any broader secondary-sanctions campaign could have significant consequences for Washington’s relations with two major Asian powers. “If you insist on doing business with them, then the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government will put its full might and force against you,” Bessent said. “It’s time for our allies and the rest of the world to make a decision.” Also Read: Why DR Congo's Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak became its deadliest? EXPLAINED Secondary sanctions could hurt US interests Most major parts of Iran’s energy, financial and transportation sectors are already subject to US sanctions. The administration’s next step therefore appears likely to involve targeting countries and companies that continue maintaining economic ties with Tehran. The strategy resembles the “maximum pressure” campaign Trump pursued during his first term, but this time it is being combined with military action. The experience of the first administration demonstrated the difficulties involved in enforcing secondary sanctions. Washington frequently faced pressure to grant waivers to countries dependent on Iranian oil, while aggressive enforcement risked damaging US economic and diplomatic interests. “Trump’s strategy now rests on targeting Tehran directly by impeding its touch points and access to the formal financial system and international economy,” said Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the FDD’s Iran program. “This will require making the Iran issue more important in U.S. bilateral relations with countries in Europe and Asia.” The challenge for Washington will be persuading allies and trading partners to accept the economic costs of cutting ties with Iran. Tehran says sanctions will not force surrender Iranian officials have rejected the idea that escalating economic pressure will force the government to accept Washington’s demands. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei accused the United States of returning to sanctions whenever diplomatic efforts become difficult. “Iran has demonstrated over decades that it will not be strangled by these exhausted refrains,” he said. “The real risk is that American politicians, clinging to this bad habit, will instead strangle their own remaining chances of a less humiliating exit from a crisis of their own making.”

Trump is escalating economic pressure on Iran as the war nears six months, threatening secondary sanctions to force Tehran to surrender its nuclear ambitions

Trump warns of ‘economic D-Day’ against Iran, but Tehran knows sanctions well

China on Friday (Aug 21) rejected the United States' push for countries, including Beijing, to help isolate Iran's economy, saying "sanctions and pressure" would not resolve the conflict in the Middle East. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian called for a political and diplomatic solution as Washington steps up economic pressure on Tehran. "Sanctions and pressure will not help resolve the issue," Lin told reporters at a briefing. He urged "all relevant parties to take responsible measures and resolve the problem through political and diplomatic means".Notably, Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to visit the White House on September 24.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-announces-crushing-economic-campaign-against-iran-threatens-allies-with-tremendous-penalties-1787186991774">Trump announces ‘crushing’ economic campaign against Iran, threatens allies with ‘tremendous’ penalties</a><h2>US pressuring allies to support Iran economic pressure campaign</h2>The response came a day after the United States called on its allies and China to join President Donald Trump's campaign to isolate Iran economically.Trump had announced what he described as the "MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY", promising unprecedented economic warfare and isolation against Tehran.US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has since reinforced the message, warning countries that continue economic ties with Iran could face consequences. "Any remaining tie to Tehran will hasten a nation's economic oblivion, whether that tie be purposefully constructed or willfully ignored," Bessent said on X.Washington has not yet detailed the full scope of the measures. Bessent said further details would be provided during a press conference on Monday. Asked about pressure on China, Bessent said some discussions were better conducted privately, while urging Beijing to "get with the program".Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uae-suspends-trade-with-iran-accuses-it-of-targeting-gulf-shipping-tehran-calls-claim-baseless-1787100695124">UAE suspends trade with Iran, accuses it of targeting Gulf shipping; Tehran calls claim baseless</a><h2>Iran calls US sanctions 'economic terrorism'</h2>Tehran has rejected the US campaign, accusing Washington of using economic pressure to divert attention from its own problems. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the proposed campaign as a diversion from what he called America's "unprecedented debt &amp; surging interest costs".Iran's Foreign Ministry went further, describing US sanctions as "economic terrorism" and "crimes against humanity".

Washington is pressing China to join its campaign against Iran, but Beijing is pushing back. China's latest response comes just weeks before Xi Jinping is due to meet Donald Trump at the White House.

China on Friday (Aug 21) rejected the United States' push for countries, including Beijing, to help isolate Iran's economy, saying "sanctions and pressure" would not resolve the conflict in the Middle East. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian called for a political and diplomatic solution as Washington steps up economic pressure on Tehran. "Sanctions and pressure will not help resolve the issue," Lin told reporters at a briefing. He urged "all relevant parties to take responsible measures and resolve the problem through political and diplomatic means". Notably, Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to visit the White House on September 24. Also read | Trump announces ‘crushing’ economic campaign against Iran, threatens allies with ‘tremendous’ penalties US pressuring allies to support Iran economic pressure campaign The response came a day after the United States called on its allies and China to join President Donald Trump's campaign to isolate Iran economically. Trump had announced what he described as the "MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY", promising unprecedented economic warfare and isolation against Tehran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has since reinforced the message, warning countries that continue economic ties with Iran could face consequences. "Any remaining tie to Tehran will hasten a nation's economic oblivion, whether that tie be purposefully constructed or willfully ignored," Bessent said on X. Washington has not yet detailed the full scope of the measures. Bessent said further details would be provided during a press conference on Monday. Asked about pressure on China, Bessent said some discussions were better conducted privately, while urging Beijing to "get with the program". Also read | UAE suspends trade with Iran, accuses it of targeting Gulf shipping; Tehran calls claim baseless Iran calls US sanctions 'economic terrorism' Tehran has rejected the US campaign, accusing Washington of using economic pressure to divert attention from its own problems. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the proposed campaign as a diversion from what he called America's "unprecedented debt & surging interest costs". Iran's Foreign Ministry went further, describing US sanctions as "economic terrorism" and "crimes against humanity".

Washington is pressing China to join its campaign against Iran, but Beijing is pushing back. China's latest response comes just weeks before Xi Jinping is due to meet Donald Trump at the White House.

China rejects US call to isolate Iran, says 'sanctions and pressure' will not resolve conflict

The West Asia conflict is approaching its sixth month with no clear diplomatic or military exit in sight as US President Donald Trump dramatically escalates pressure on Iran. Trump has announced what he described as an unprecedented economic warfare and isolation campaign against Iran, warning that countries continuing to do business with Tehran could face “tremendous punishment.”

The latest escalation comes amid a growing dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy routes. Trump says the waterway remains open and that numerous vessels are passing through, while Iranian officials maintain that the strait remains closed until Washington meets Tehran’s conditions.

Iran has demanded an end to the blockade of its ports, the lifting of oil sanctions and the release of frozen Iranian assets. Meanwhile, US-Iran negotiations remain uncertain, with Trump saying talks could resume at some point but reiterating that Iran must not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons.


Trump Launches “Economic Warfare” Against Iran As Strait Of Hormuz Crisis Deepens

U.S. President Donald Trump has once again postponed planned military strikes on Iran, claiming that the outlines of a peace deal are taking shape. However, Tehran has categorically denied asking Washington to halt the strikes, calling the allegations false. As tensions continue to simmer, Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia are reportedly urging de-escalation, fearing the devastating consequences of a wider regional conflict.

In this exclusive interview, Chris Doyle, Director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding (CAABU), analyzes the evolving crisis, Trump's repeated reversals, Iran's military strategy, the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, and the growing role of Gulf countries in preventing a full-scale regional war.

Can diplomacy still succeed, or is another military confrontation inevitable?

Watch the full analysis for the latest developments from the Middle East.

Iran-U.S. War: Trump Losing Credibility as Conflict Drags On, Expert Warns

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a highly unusual closed-door meeting at the White House, sparking intense speculation over the future of the Iran conflict.

Unlike previous meetings, there were no public remarks or joint press interactions before the talks. The White House released photographs only after the 90-minute meeting, raising questions about what was discussed behind closed doors.

Trump-Netanyahu Meeting: What's Really Changing on Iran?

Pakistan on Thursday, July 30, said talks between Iran and the United States were continuing as both sides exchanged fresh strikes after a brief pause in hostilities. The renewed fighting has widened the regional conflict, with Saudi Arabia joining US forces in strikes against militant groups in Iraq and Egypt.&nbsp;"Negotiations between parties are ongoing, particularly on (the) Strait of Hormuz and to de-escalate," Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi told reporters in Islamabad.&nbsp;Pakistan is doing "utmost to bring all parties back" to technical talks under the agreement, he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;The US Central Command, CENTCOM, said on Wednesday that it had launched "a heavy wave of strikes against Iran" in response to a missile attack on US forces in Jordan.&nbsp;Iran's state news agency IRNA reported strikes in several cities in southwestern Khuzestan province and on Qeshm island in the Gulf. According to the agency, citing provincial authorities, areas near Abadan, Shadegan, Arvandkenar and Ahvaz in Khuzestan were hit.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kashmir-s-tourism-boom-comes-at-a-cost-forests-shrink-illegal-hotels-rise-1785410043527">Kashmir's tourism boom comes at a cost: Forests shrink, illegal hotels rise</a>&nbsp;Jordan said on Thursday morning that it had intercepted Iranian missiles for the second straight day. Kuwait also reported that an Iranian strike hit a building belonging to a Chinese company and killed one person.&nbsp;The latest strikes came after a brief pause in the fighting that was aimed at creating momentum for diplomatic negotiations.&nbsp;US President Donald Trump had vowed to hit Iran "hard" following Tehran's earlier attack on Jordan, which marked its first such attack in the region in days.&nbsp;Islamabad has played a mediating role in the conflict. It helped Iran and the United States reach an initial truce in April and later facilitated a 14-point memorandum of understanding in June. However, the agreement eventually collapsed over the issue of control of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;The latest escalation came after a short halt in fighting that followed 13 consecutive days of US strikes on Iran. Tehran subsequently announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington reinstated its naval blockade of Iran.

The US-Iran conflict widened as fresh strikes resumed, with Saudi Arabia joining US forces in targeting militant groups in Iraq and Egypt, while Pakistan said negotiations were ongoing.

Pakistan on Thursday, July 30, said talks between Iran and the United States were continuing as both sides exchanged fresh strikes after a brief pause in hostilities. The renewed fighting has widened the regional conflict, with Saudi Arabia joining US forces in strikes against militant groups in Iraq and Egypt. "Negotiations between parties are ongoing, particularly on (the) Strait of Hormuz and to de-escalate," Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi told reporters in Islamabad. Pakistan is doing "utmost to bring all parties back" to technical talks under the agreement, he added. The US Central Command, CENTCOM, said on Wednesday that it had launched "a heavy wave of strikes against Iran" in response to a missile attack on US forces in Jordan. Iran's state news agency IRNA reported strikes in several cities in southwestern Khuzestan province and on Qeshm island in the Gulf. According to the agency, citing provincial authorities, areas near Abadan, Shadegan, Arvandkenar and Ahvaz in Khuzestan were hit. Also Read: Kashmir's tourism boom comes at a cost: Forests shrink, illegal hotels rise Jordan said on Thursday morning that it had intercepted Iranian missiles for the second straight day. Kuwait also reported that an Iranian strike hit a building belonging to a Chinese company and killed one person. The latest strikes came after a brief pause in the fighting that was aimed at creating momentum for diplomatic negotiations. US President Donald Trump had vowed to hit Iran "hard" following Tehran's earlier attack on Jordan, which marked its first such attack in the region in days. Islamabad has played a mediating role in the conflict. It helped Iran and the United States reach an initial truce in April and later facilitated a 14-point memorandum of understanding in June. However, the agreement eventually collapsed over the issue of control of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The latest escalation came after a short halt in fighting that followed 13 consecutive days of US strikes on Iran. Tehran subsequently announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington reinstated its naval blockade of Iran.

The US-Iran conflict widened as fresh strikes resumed, with Saudi Arabia joining US forces in targeting militant groups in Iraq and Egypt, while Pakistan said negotiations were ongoing.

US-Iran negotiations underway as fresh strikes deepen regional conflict, Pakistan says

US President Donald Trump says Washington is ready for another round of negotiations with Iran, even as the US imposed fresh sanctions targeting key Iranian financial networks. Reports suggest new talks could take place in Switzerland, while Qatar, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Oman continue diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the region. Meanwhile, Iran has rejected claims that it requested negotiations and has accused the US of violating previous understandings through renewed military action.


Trump agrees to fresh iran talks as us imposes new sanctions amid rising middle east tensions

Washington has switched the tap back on for Iran. The U.S. Treasury's General License X, issued on June 22, waives sanctions on Iranian crude, petrochemical and petroleum sales through August 21. It marks the broadest rollback since the 1979 Revolution. But for Iran, even as the funds are unlocked, the money is not moving yet.

Iran's Oil Windfall From Sanctions Relief Hits Banking Wall 

The European Union has unveiled a fresh package of sanctions against Iran as tensions intensify around the Strait of Hormuz. The move comes amid concerns over maritime security, energy supplies, and the potential impact on global trade. This episode explores the sanctions, their strategic significance, and the broader implications for international relations.

European Union Announces Fresh Sanctions On Iran Amid Hormuz Blockade 

According to analysis by a blockchain analytics firm, Chainalysis, Iran’s on-chain crypto ecosystem processed more than $7.78 billion in activity in 2025, up sharply from the previous year.

According to analysis by a blockchain analytics firm, Chainalysis, Iran’s on-chain crypto ecosystem processed more than $7.78 billion in activity in 2025, up sharply from the previous year.&nbsp;

Sanctions, inflation and economic crisis: Why cryptocurrency use is surging inside Iran

The resolution put forth by Russia and China — Iran's most powerful and closest allies on the 15-member council — failed to garner support on Friday.


UN Security Council rejects Russia and China’s bid to delay Iran nuclear sanctions

The United Nations Security Council on Friday voted not to permanently lift economic sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme, which means sweeping economic sanctions will be imposed on Tehran over its nuclear programme. The move triggers the so-called snapback mechanism, meaning that all UN sanctions in place before the 2015 nuclear accord will be reimposed on Tehran by September 28 if no major deal is reached by then. The resolution to block the sanctions fell in the Security Council by a vote of four to nine, delivering a major economic blow that Tehran claims is “politically biased”.&nbsp;Russia, China, Pakistan, and Algeria voted to stop the sanctions from being reintroduced, while nine Security Council members voted against sanctions relief. Two countries abstained.&nbsp;The vote follows a 30-day process launched in late August by Britain, France, and Germany—known as the E3—to reinstate the sanctions unless Tehran meets their demands.&nbsp;<h2>Britain, France, and Germany accused Tehran of JCPOA violations</h2>&nbsp;The measures include a conventional arms embargo, restrictions on ballistic missile development, asset freezes, travel bans, and a prohibition on the transfer of nuclear-related technology. The resolution was introduced by South Korea, which is chairing the Security Council this month.&nbsp;The sanctions will further complicate the situation for Iran as it grapples with economic strain and political unrest. In a letter to the Security Council last month, Britain, France, and Germany accused Tehran of multiple violations of the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, including amassing a uranium stockpile more than 40 times the agreement's limit.&nbsp;<h2>‘Politically biased and politically motivated,’ says Iran</h2>&nbsp;Iranian officials accuse the European trio of abusing the dispute mechanism contained in the 2015 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which allows for the application of sanctions under a “snapback mechanism”.“What Europeans are doing is politically biased and politically motivated … They are wrong on different levels by trying to misuse the mechanism embedded in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA),” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said.The Europeans offered to delay the snapback for up to six months if Iran restored access for UN nuclear inspectors and engaged in talks with the US.Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed that Tehran had presented a “reasonable and actionable plan” and insisted Iran remains committed to the NPT.But the E3 accuse Tehran of breaching the nuclear commitments, including by building up a uranium stock to more than 40 times the level permitted under the JCPOA. The UN’s nuclear watchdog board also said in June that Iran was not respecting international nuclear safeguards.&nbsp;WATCH: Trump-Xi talks on big Ts: Tariffs, TikTok &amp; Taiwan<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-xi-talks-on-big-ts-tariffs-tiktok-taiwan-1758294337650/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-xi-talks-on-big-ts-tariffs-tiktok-taiwan-1758294337650/embed</a>&nbsp;

The sanctions will further complicate the situation for Iran as it grapples with economic strain and political unrest. In a letter to the UNSC last month, Britain, France, and Germany accused Tehran of multiple violations of the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

The United Nations Security Council on Friday voted not to permanently lift economic sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme, which means sweeping economic sanctions will be imposed on Tehran over its nuclear programme. The move triggers the so-called snapback mechanism, meaning that all UN sanctions in place before the 2015 nuclear accord will be reimposed on Tehran by September 28 if no major deal is reached by then. The resolution to block the sanctions fell in the Security Council by a vote of four to nine, delivering a major economic blow that Tehran claims is “politically biased”. Russia, China, Pakistan, and Algeria voted to stop the sanctions from being reintroduced, while nine Security Council members voted against sanctions relief. Two countries abstained. The vote follows a 30-day process launched in late August by Britain, France, and Germany—known as the E3—to reinstate the sanctions unless Tehran meets their demands. Britain, France, and Germany accused Tehran of JCPOA violations The measures include a conventional arms embargo, restrictions on ballistic missile development, asset freezes, travel bans, and a prohibition on the transfer of nuclear-related technology. The resolution was introduced by South Korea, which is chairing the Security Council this month. The sanctions will further complicate the situation for Iran as it grapples with economic strain and political unrest. In a letter to the Security Council last month, Britain, France, and Germany accused Tehran of multiple violations of the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, including amassing a uranium stockpile more than 40 times the agreement's limit. ‘Politically biased and politically motivated,’ says Iran Iranian officials accuse the European trio of abusing the dispute mechanism contained in the 2015 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which allows for the application of sanctions under a “snapback mechanism”. “What Europeans are doing is politically biased and politically motivated … They are wrong on different levels by trying to misuse the mechanism embedded in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA),” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said. The Europeans offered to delay the snapback for up to six months if Iran restored access for UN nuclear inspectors and engaged in talks with the US. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed that Tehran had presented a “reasonable and actionable plan” and insisted Iran remains committed to the NPT. But the E3 accuse Tehran of breaching the nuclear commitments, including by building up a uranium stock to more than 40 times the level permitted under the JCPOA. The UN’s nuclear watchdog board also said in June that Iran was not respecting international nuclear safeguards. WATCH: Trump-Xi talks on big Ts: Tariffs, TikTok & Taiwan https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-xi-talks-on-big-ts-tariffs-tiktok-taiwan-1758294337650/embed

The sanctions will further complicate the situation for Iran as it grapples with economic strain and political unrest. In a letter to the UNSC last month, Britain, France, and Germany accused Tehran of multiple violations of the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

UNSC rejects resolution to extend relief, ‘snapback’ sanctions reimposed on Iran

On Monday, as investors took stock of fresh European sanctions on Russian energy exports, diplomatic uncertainty over Iran, and the looming risk of new US tariffs, oil prices barely moved. Despite escalating geopolitical tension, traders remained cautious, with crude benchmarks locked in a narrow range. As per Reuters, Brent crude went up by just 5 cents to $69.33 a barrel in early trade, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) added 2 cents to $67.36. This follows Friday's trend, but oil remains under pressure after slipping 1.5 per cent last week, its first weekly drop in July, as per Bloomberg.&nbsp;Since May, crude prices have been trending higher, but remain nearly 7 per cent lower for the year. Analysts say a mix of oversupply, trade war fears, and diplomatic standoffs has kept energy markets in a holding pattern.<h2>India’s Nayara caught in crossfire as EU targets Russian energy</h2>Last week, the European Union approved its 18th package of sanctions against Russia. This comes as the West intensifies pressure on Moscow over the war in Ukraine. The measures include a lower price cap on Russian crude, banking restrictions, and new curbs on refined fuels. The sanctions also reportedly hit India’s Nayara Energy, a major buyer and exporter of Russian oil products.&nbsp;By slamming the move as “unjustified and illegal", Rosneft, Russia’s top oil producer and a stakeholder in Nayara warns that this will threaten India’s energy security. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov added that Russia had developed “a certain immunity” to Western sanctions, as quoted by Reuters.<h2>Iran to resume nuclear talks as fresh sanctions in play</h2>Meanwhile, another sanctioned oil producer, Iran, is preparing for renewed nuclear talks. According to an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson quoted by Reuters, negotiations with Britain, France, and Germany are expected to take place in Istanbul on Friday.&nbsp;The talks follow warnings from European powers that failure to re-engage on the 2015 nuclear deal could trigger new international sanctions. This further adds uncertainty to the global crude supply.<h2>US eyes tariffs</h2>Across the Atlantic, markets are closely watching the next phase of the US-EU trade standoff. US tariffs on European imports are set to kick in on August 1. However, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Sunday he remains “confident” that a trade deal can be reached, as reported by Reuters. Bloomberg reports that EU envoys could meet as early as this week to plan countermeasures, including possible restrictions on US energy firms, in the event of a no-deal outcome. President Donald Trump’s negotiating position is said to have hardened ahead of the August deadline.&nbsp;Meanwhile, in the US, oilfield activity is showing signs of a slowdown. The number of active oil rigs fell by two last week to 422, the lowest since September 2021, according to Baker Hughes data released on Friday. Though this suggests slightly tighter domestic supply, analysts say it’s unlikely to drive major price changes without a broader shift in geopolitical risk or demand outlook.&nbsp;With sanctions tightening on Russia and Iran, and trade tensions heating up between the US and Europe, oil markets are stuck in a delicate balancing act. As traders await clarity on both diplomacy and demand, prices may remain range-bound in the near term.&nbsp;(With inputs from the agencies)

Brent crude rose minimally to $69.33 a barrel, and WTI increased to $67.36, despite a 1.5% drop last week. Analysts note crude prices are nearly 7% lower for the year, affected by oversupply and trade wars.

On Monday, as investors took stock of fresh European sanctions on Russian energy exports, diplomatic uncertainty over Iran, and the looming risk of new US tariffs, oil prices barely moved. Despite escalating geopolitical tension, traders remained cautious, with crude benchmarks locked in a narrow range. As per Reuters, Brent crude went up by just 5 cents to $69.33 a barrel in early trade, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) added 2 cents to $67.36. This follows Friday's trend, but oil remains under pressure after slipping 1.5 per cent last week, its first weekly drop in July, as per Bloomberg. Since May, crude prices have been trending higher, but remain nearly 7 per cent lower for the year. Analysts say a mix of oversupply, trade war fears, and diplomatic standoffs has kept energy markets in a holding pattern. India’s Nayara caught in crossfire as EU targets Russian energy Last week, the European Union approved its 18th package of sanctions against Russia. This comes as the West intensifies pressure on Moscow over the war in Ukraine. The measures include a lower price cap on Russian crude, banking restrictions, and new curbs on refined fuels. The sanctions also reportedly hit India’s Nayara Energy, a major buyer and exporter of Russian oil products. By slamming the move as “unjustified and illegal", Rosneft, Russia’s top oil producer and a stakeholder in Nayara warns that this will threaten India’s energy security. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov added that Russia had developed “a certain immunity” to Western sanctions, as quoted by Reuters. Iran to resume nuclear talks as fresh sanctions in play Meanwhile, another sanctioned oil producer, Iran, is preparing for renewed nuclear talks. According to an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson quoted by Reuters, negotiations with Britain, France, and Germany are expected to take place in Istanbul on Friday. The talks follow warnings from European powers that failure to re-engage on the 2015 nuclear deal could trigger new international sanctions. This further adds uncertainty to the global crude supply. US eyes tariffs Across the Atlantic, markets are closely watching the next phase of the US-EU trade standoff. US tariffs on European imports are set to kick in on August 1. However, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Sunday he remains “confident” that a trade deal can be reached, as reported by Reuters. Bloomberg reports that EU envoys could meet as early as this week to plan countermeasures, including possible restrictions on US energy firms, in the event of a no-deal outcome. President Donald Trump’s negotiating position is said to have hardened ahead of the August deadline. Meanwhile, in the US, oilfield activity is showing signs of a slowdown. The number of active oil rigs fell by two last week to 422, the lowest since September 2021, according to Baker Hughes data released on Friday. Though this suggests slightly tighter domestic supply, analysts say it’s unlikely to drive major price changes without a broader shift in geopolitical risk or demand outlook. With sanctions tightening on Russia and Iran, and trade tensions heating up between the US and Europe, oil markets are stuck in a delicate balancing act. As traders await clarity on both diplomacy and demand, prices may remain range-bound in the near term. (With inputs from the agencies)

Oil prices on Monday remained stagnant as investors assessed new European sanctions on Russian energy, diplomatic uncertainties around Iran, and upcoming US tariffs.

Oil prices stay steady amid Russia sanctions and tariff fears collide

Iran's foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, has warned that the country’s internal debate on nuclear policy could shift towards developing nuclear weapons if Western nations proceed with threats to reinstate all UN sanctions.

Iran's foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, has warned that the country’s internal debate on nuclear policy could shift towards developing nuclear weapons if Western nations proceed with threats to reinstate all UN sanctions. In an interview, Araghchi said that Iran already possesses the capability and expertise to produce nuclear weapons but stressed that such weapons are not part of its security strategy. He also confirmed Iran’s continued support for Hezbollah in Lebanon. European negotiators want confrontation Speaking ahead of a meeting between Iranian and European negotiators in Geneva, Araghchi described the talks as a “brainstorming session” aimed at breaking the current deadlock. However, he expressed doubts about the outcome, admitting he was pessimistic about whether Iran was engaging with the right parties. Araghchi accused European nations of pursuing confrontation. He referred to a recent meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), where a European-backed resolution criticised Iran for failing to cooperate with inspectors and building a uranium stockpile with no apparent civilian use. Also read: Trump says Mexico agreed to 'stop' migration; Mexican President clarifies He claimed that IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi had initially agreed to halt the censure motion after Iran proposed capping uranium enrichment at 60% purity and allowing four inspectors access to its nuclear sites. “He failed because the Europeans had decided on the course of confrontation,” Araghchi alleged. Iran wants 'dignified resolution through cooperation' “We have no intention to go beyond 60% for now, and this is our current determination,” he said. “We still aim for a dignified resolution to this issue through cooperation.” However, he admitted growing domestic dissatisfaction with Iran’s nuclear engagement with the West. “There is a debate in Iran—among elites and ordinary citizens—over whether our nuclear policy has been a mistake,” he said. “We did everything they asked, but when it was time for them to lift sanctions, they didn’t. This has led many to question whether our approach has been wrong.” Araghchi warned that if European countries reimpose UN sanctions, it would reinforce this sentiment. “If sanctions are reimposed, it will convince everyone in Iran that our nuclear doctrine has been flawed,” he said. He added that such a move could lead to a major crisis. “After years of negotiation and compliance, Iran could find itself back under Chapter Seven of the UN charter. If that happens, many will believe we need to change direction.” (With inputs from agencies)

'Did everything they asked,' Iran's foreign minister hints at nuclear weapons program if sanctions return

Sri Lanka, on Wednesday (Feb 21) said that it exported $20 million worth of tea to Iran to partially pay its $251 million oil debt. The first instalment of the tea-for-oil deal was sent years after it was agreed upon in 2021.&nbsp;

<h2>Tea-for-oil deal</h2>

“So far $20 million worth of tea has been exported to Iran under the barter trade agreement,” Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena’s office said in a statement.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Sri lanka: Tea for oil deal with Iran gets going, to allow Iran to avoid currency to pay for tea

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sri-lanka-tea-for-oil-deal-with-iran-gets-going-to-allow-iran-to-avoid-currency-to-pay-for-tea-692474/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The statement also said that Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who is currently in Sri Lanka for a visit, expressed “satisfaction” with the deal.&nbsp;

In 2021, a tea-for-oil deal was struck between Colombo and Tehran which was seen as a win-win for both countries for different reasons.&nbsp;

The barter deal allows sanctions-hit Iran to avoid having to use scarce hard currency to pay for imports of the widely consumed product in the country. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is allowed to pay with tea as the country is short of foreign currency.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-election-body-forms-committee-to-probe-poll-rigging-allegations-692342">Pakistan election body sets up committee to probe poll rigging allegations</a>

When the deal was agreed upon in December 2021, Tehran said it had agreed to accept a monthly shipment of Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka in exchange for settling a $251 million debt from Iranian oil supplied to the island nation nine years ago.&nbsp;

However, Sri Lanka was hit by an economic crisis forcing then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down in July 2022. This led to a years-long delay in the shipment of the tea to Iran.&nbsp;

Colombo defaulted on its $46 billion foreign debt in April 2022 but managed to secure a $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), early last year.&nbsp;

<h2>Does the deal violate sanctions against Iran?</h2>

Sri Lankan officials have said that the tea-for-oil deal does not violate the sanctions against Tehran imposed by Washington. Since tea was a food item it is exempted from restrictions&nbsp;and the deal did not involve Iranian-blacklisted banks, they added.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/uk-bae-reports-profit-jump-as-ukraine-war-drags-on-692467">UK: BAE reports profit jump as Ukraine war drags on</a>

Tehran has been hit hard by the United States imposed restrictions since it pulled out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and began reimposing crippling financial sanctions.&nbsp;

Notably, Ceylon tea, known by the island’s colonial-era name, made up nearly 50 per cent of Iran’s consumption in 2016.

(With inputs from agencies)

Sri Lanka, on Wednesday (Feb 21) said that it exported $20 million worth of tea to Iran to partially pay its $251 million oil debt. The first instalment of the tea-for-oil deal was sent years after it was agreed upon in 2021.

Sri Lanka, on Wednesday (Feb 21) said that it exported $20 million worth of tea to Iran to partially pay its $251 million oil debt. The first instalment of the tea-for-oil deal was sent years after it was agreed upon in 2021. Tea-for-oil deal “So far $20 million worth of tea has been exported to Iran under the barter trade agreement,” Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena’s office said in a statement. WATCH | Sri lanka: Tea for oil deal with Iran gets going, to allow Iran to avoid currency to pay for tea The statement also said that Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who is currently in Sri Lanka for a visit, expressed “satisfaction” with the deal. In 2021, a tea-for-oil deal was struck between Colombo and Tehran which was seen as a win-win for both countries for different reasons. The barter deal allows sanctions-hit Iran to avoid having to use scarce hard currency to pay for imports of the widely consumed product in the country. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is allowed to pay with tea as the country is short of foreign currency. Also Read | Pakistan election body sets up committee to probe poll rigging allegations When the deal was agreed upon in December 2021, Tehran said it had agreed to accept a monthly shipment of Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka in exchange for settling a $251 million debt from Iranian oil supplied to the island nation nine years ago. However, Sri Lanka was hit by an economic crisis forcing then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down in July 2022. This led to a years-long delay in the shipment of the tea to Iran. Colombo defaulted on its $46 billion foreign debt in April 2022 but managed to secure a $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), early last year. Does the deal violate sanctions against Iran? Sri Lankan officials have said that the tea-for-oil deal does not violate the sanctions against Tehran imposed by Washington. Since tea was a food item it is exempted from restrictions and the deal did not involve Iranian-blacklisted banks, they added. Also Read | UK: BAE reports profit jump as Ukraine war drags on Tehran has been hit hard by the United States imposed restrictions since it pulled out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and began reimposing crippling financial sanctions. Notably, Ceylon tea, known by the island’s colonial-era name, made up nearly 50 per cent of Iran’s consumption in 2016. (With inputs from agencies)

Cash-strapped Sri Lanka partially repays Iranian oil debt with $20 million worth of tea

Iran's official IRNA news agency has said that the country has finalised deal to buy Sukhoi-35 fighter jets from Russia. This may help Iran modernise its ageing fleet of fighter jet which it has struggled to get spare parts for due to international sanctions.

In a statement to the United Nations, Tehran said it began approaching "countries to buy fighter jets" to replenish its fleet in the wake of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.

"Russia announced it was ready to sell them" after the expiry in October 2020 of restrictions on Iran purchasing conventional weapons under UN Resolution 2231, said the statement carried late Friday by the official IRNA news agency.

"The Sukhoi 35 fighter jets were technically acceptable for Iran," it added.

There have been signs of deepening military ties between Iran and Russia in the past year. Ukraine accuses Iran of providing Russia with Shahed-136 "kamikaze" drones which have been used to carry out attacks against Ukrainian targets.

The United States has expressed alarm over the growing military cooperation between Iran and Russia, with Pentagon spokesman John Kirby warning in December that Russia looked likely to sell Iran its fighter jets.

Kirby maintained that Iranian pilots had reportedly been learning to fly the Sukhoi warplanes in Russia, and that Tehran may receive the aircraft within the next year, which would "significantly strengthen Iran's air force relative to its regional neighbours".

Iran currently has mostly Russian MiG and Sukhoi fighter jets that date back to the Soviet era, as well as some Chinese aircraft, including the F-7.

Some American F-4 and F-5 fighter jets dating back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution are also part of its fleet. 
 
The United States began reimposing sanctions on Iran in 2019, a year after its unilateral withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal under then-president Donald Trump.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>. 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Iran's official IRNA news agency has said that the country has finalised deal to buy Sukhoi-35 fighter jets from Russia. This may help Iran modernise its ageing fleet of fighter jet which it has struggled to get spare parts for due to international sanctions.

Iran's official IRNA news agency has said that the country has finalised deal to buy Sukhoi-35 fighter jets from Russia. This may help Iran modernise its ageing fleet of fighter jet which it has struggled to get spare parts for due to international sanctions. In a statement to the United Nations, Tehran said it began approaching "countries to buy fighter jets" to replenish its fleet in the wake of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. "Russia announced it was ready to sell them" after the expiry in October 2020 of restrictions on Iran purchasing conventional weapons under UN Resolution 2231, said the statement carried late Friday by the official IRNA news agency. "The Sukhoi 35 fighter jets were technically acceptable for Iran," it added. There have been signs of deepening military ties between Iran and Russia in the past year. Ukraine accuses Iran of providing Russia with Shahed-136 "kamikaze" drones which have been used to carry out attacks against Ukrainian targets. The United States has expressed alarm over the growing military cooperation between Iran and Russia, with Pentagon spokesman John Kirby warning in December that Russia looked likely to sell Iran its fighter jets. Kirby maintained that Iranian pilots had reportedly been learning to fly the Sukhoi warplanes in Russia, and that Tehran may receive the aircraft within the next year, which would "significantly strengthen Iran's air force relative to its regional neighbours". Iran currently has mostly Russian MiG and Sukhoi fighter jets that date back to the Soviet era, as well as some Chinese aircraft, including the F-7. Some American F-4 and F-5 fighter jets dating back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution are also part of its fleet. The United States began reimposing sanctions on Iran in 2019, a year after its unilateral withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal under then-president Donald Trump. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Iran seals deal to buy Sukhoi-35 from Russia to modernise its ageing fleet of fighter jets

Russia and Iran are reportedly drawing out plans for a new shipping corridor with India in order to bypass the European sanctions, Nikkei Asia has reported.&nbsp;The plan is being formulated as a countermeasure to the US-led push for "friendshoring," an effort to relocate supply chains to allies and friendly countries.&nbsp;However, India, which has not announced any sanctions against both countries, is yet to respond regarding the new trade corridor. It neither joined the West in condemning Russia over the war nor commented on the anti-government protests in Iran.

Iran has already been working to expand its railway and road infrastructure, pitting itself to be a potential transport hub between Asia, Russia and Europe.

Tehran has constructed 3,300 kilometres of railways throughout across the country, while 6,000 km of highways are also under construction, with 1,000 km set to finish by March, Nikkei Asia quoted a senior Iranian official.

<h2>Russian mercenaries claim to capture Ukraine's Soledar amid fierce fighting</h2>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russian-mercenaries-claim-to-capture-ukraines-soledar-amid-fierce-fighting-551339/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Apart from that, the Islamic country in 2022 opened a four-lane highway linking the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf.

Back in 2002, Iran, Russia and India signed an agreement for the construction of the International North-South Transport Corridor, connecting India and Russia through Iran and Azerbaijan, bypassing the Suez Canal.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-russias-mercenary-group-wagner-claims-to-control-soledar-city-551459">Russia responds to Wagner’s claim of control over Soledar, says fight for city ongoing</a>

Russia wants to exploit this corridor to boost its exports to South Asian countries via Iran and cut reliance on Europe.

In July, Russian President Vladimir Putin met his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran, where both agreed on the need to complete the construction of the Rasht-Astara rail link in northern Iran, which is part of the proposed route.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE: 

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Russia and Iran are reportedly drawing out plans for a new shipping corridor with India in order to bypass the European sanctions, Nikkei Asia has reported. The plan is being formulated as a countermeasure to the US-led push for "friendshoring," an effort to relocate supply chains to allies and friendly countries.

Russia and Iran are reportedly drawing out plans for a new shipping corridor with India in order to bypass the European sanctions, Nikkei Asia has reported. The plan is being formulated as a countermeasure to the US-led push for "friendshoring," an effort to relocate supply chains to allies and friendly countries. However, India, which has not announced any sanctions against both countries, is yet to respond regarding the new trade corridor. It neither joined the West in condemning Russia over the war nor commented on the anti-government protests in Iran. Iran has already been working to expand its railway and road infrastructure, pitting itself to be a potential transport hub between Asia, Russia and Europe. Tehran has constructed 3,300 kilometres of railways throughout across the country, while 6,000 km of highways are also under construction, with 1,000 km set to finish by March, Nikkei Asia quoted a senior Iranian official. Russian mercenaries claim to capture Ukraine's Soledar amid fierce fighting Apart from that, the Islamic country in 2022 opened a four-lane highway linking the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf. Back in 2002, Iran, Russia and India signed an agreement for the construction of the International North-South Transport Corridor, connecting India and Russia through Iran and Azerbaijan, bypassing the Suez Canal. Also read | Russia responds to Wagner’s claim of control over Soledar, says fight for city ongoing Russia wants to exploit this corridor to boost its exports to South Asian countries via Iran and cut reliance on Europe. In July, Russian President Vladimir Putin met his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran, where both agreed on the need to complete the construction of the Rasht-Astara rail link in northern Iran, which is part of the proposed route. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Iran, Russia working on new trade route with India to bypass Western sanctions: Report

Crypto giant Binance has processed Iranian transactions with a value of $8 billion since 2018 despite US&nbsp;sanctions intended to cut Iran off from the global financial system, blockchain data show.

Almost all the funds, some $7.8 billion, flowed between Binance and Iran's largest crypto exchange, Nobitex, according to a review of data from leading US&nbsp;blockchain researcher Chainalysis. Nobitex offers guidance on its website on how to skirt sanctions.

Three-quarters of the Iranian funds that passed through Binance were in a relatively low-profile cryptocurrency called Tron that gives users an option to conceal their identities. In a blog post last year, Nobitex encouraged clients to use Tron — a mid-tier token — to trade anonymously without "endangering assets due to sanctions."

The scale of Binance's Iranian crypto flows — and the fact that they are continuing — has not been previously reported.

The new findings come as the US&nbsp;Justice Department is pursuing an investigation into possible violations of money-laundering rules by Binance, which dominates the $1 trillion crypto industry, with over 120 million users. The transactions put the company at risk of falling afoul of US&nbsp;prohibitions on doing business with Iran, lawyers and trade-sanctions experts said.

In July, Reuters revealed that Binance continued to serve clients in Iran and that the exchange's popularity in the Islamic republic was known inside the company. It was one of a series of Reuters investigations into Binance's troubled history with financial regulatory compliance. The day of that article's publication, Binance said in a blog post that it follows international sanctions rules on Iran and blocks access to the platform to anyone based there. The exchange's billionaire founder, Changpeng Zhao, tweeted: "Binance banned Iranian users after sanctions, seven got missed/found a workaround, they were banned later anyways."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-admits-it-provided-drones-to-russia-denies-supplying-missiles-531431">Iran finally admits it provided drones to Russia, but resolutely denies supplying missiles</a>

Binance didn't answer detailed questions about the new transactions uncovered by Reuters. In a statement, spokesperson Patrick Hillmann said, "Binance.com is not a US&nbsp;company, unlike other platforms that have exposure to these same US&nbsp;sanctioned entities. However, we have taken proactive steps to limit our exposure to the Iranian marketplace," working with industry partners and internal tools.

<img alt="Binance" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="617f2071-d203-4834-9218-14234562d307" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2022-11-04T170608Z_3_LYNXMPEIA30HV_RTROPTP_4_FINTECH-CRYPTO-BINANCE-IRAN.JPG" />

Binance declines to give details of the location or the entity behind its Binance.com exchange.

Nobitex didn't respond to questions for this article. Nor did the Tron Network, based in the British Virgin Islands, and its founder Justin Sun.

In August 2021, Binance announced that customers would no longer be able to open accounts and use its services without identification. But since then, the exchange has processed almost $1.05 billion in trades directly from Nobitex and other Iranian exchanges, according to the Chainalysis data, which runs to November of this year. Since Zhao's tweet in July, Binance has processed around $80 million in Iranian trades.

Hillmann said in the Binance statement that the company requires full "Know Your Customer" checks for all users "and residents of Iran are prohibited from opening or maintaining an account. We are continually updating processes and technology as we learn about new risks and potential exposures. As a result of these efforts, including real-time transaction monitoring in coordination with external vendors, between June of 2021 and November of 2022, Binance's exposure to Iranian-linked entities has seen an exponential decline."

The data reviewed by Reuters show that in total some $2.95 billion in crypto moved directly between Iranian exchanges and Binance since 2018.

A further $5 billion in crypto moved between Iranian exchanges and Binance through layers of intermediaries, the data also reveal. Regulators say such "indirect" flows should be a red flag to crypto exchanges - an indicator of possible money laundering and sanctions evasion. Crypto users seeking to cover their tracks often use sophisticated techniques to create complex chains of crypto transfers.

Nobitex advises its 4 million customers on its website to avoid "the direct transfer" of crypto between Iranian and foreign crypto platforms to "maintain security."

Binance spokesperson Hillmann told Reuters in June, in relation to the exchange's indirect exposure to illicit funds, that "what's important to note is not where the funds come from - as crypto deposits cannot be blocked - but what we do after the funds are deposited." He said Binance uses transaction monitoring and risk assessments to "ensure that any illegal funds are tracked, frozen, recovered and/or returned to their rightful owner."

In addition to the Tron token, the remainder of the Iranian transactions were in major cryptocurrencies bitcoin, ether, tether and XRP, and a smaller token, litecoin.

Binance is the biggest market for trading Tron, according to industry data. Some other major exchanges, including U.S.-regulated Coinbase and Gemini, do not list the token.

Until recently, Tron has largely flown under the radar of cryptocurrency trackers. Market leader Chainalysis, used by US&nbsp;government agencies, only began fully supporting the tracing of Tron this May, according to an email Chainalysis sent to a client.

The Tron dataset details over 1.15 million direct transfers between Binance and Nobitex since April 2020, when the first Tron flows were recorded. The data include wallet addresses and a unique identification number for each transaction.

Reuters obtained the Tron figures, along with further datasets covering the other crypto tokens, from three firms with access to Chainalysis' Reactor investigation software. Reuters cross-checked each company's figures. A fourth firm also confirmed some of the figures on direct transfers based on a separate dataset compiled using different software.

Reuters is making available here the data for direct transactions since August 20, 2021, amounting to around $1 billion.

The total volume of Iranian transactions flowing through Binance is far greater than through any other exchange, the data show. After Binance, the next most popular exchange for Nobitex users since 2018 was Seychelles-based KuCoin, which processed $820 million in direct and indirect transactions.

KuCoin and six other Iranian exchanges in the dataset– CoinNik Market, Iranicard, Rabex, Wallex, Sarmayex and Tether Land – did not respond to requests for comment.

SANCTIONS RISK

Binance has grown explosively since its launch in 2017. The company extended its reach from crypto last month by investing $500 million in Tesla boss Elon Musk's buyout of Twitter.

The main focus of the US&nbsp;Justice Department investigation is whether Binance violated U.S. anti-money laundering laws. As part of the case, ongoing since 2018, the department is also investigating Binance for possible criminal sanctions violations in connection with Iran, three people with knowledge of the probe said. In late 2020, the department sought records from Binance on its compliance programme, including any documents related to the transfer of crypto funds for people or entities in countries including Iran.

The Justice Department declined to comment.

The US&nbsp;government reimposed sanctions in 2018 on Iran that had been suspended three years earlier as part of Iran's nuclear deal with world powers. The West and the United Nations have targeted Tehran since 1979 with sanctions over its nuclear programme, along with alleged human rights violations and support for terrorism.

Six lawyers and sanctions experts said the Iranian transactions documented by Reuters put Binance at risk of US&nbsp;"secondary" sanctions, designed to prevent non-U.S. firms from doing business with sanctioned entities or helping Iranians evade the American trade embargo. Secondary sanctions can choke off a company's access to the US&nbsp;financial system.

Binance could also be exposed to direct "primary" sanctions if the company has what the U.S. Treasury Department calls a "nexus to the United States," the lawyers and experts said. Such links can include any US-incorporated entities, or transactions processed through the US&nbsp;financial system or using the dollar, they said. Treasury didn't respond to a request for comment.

In 2019, Britain's Standard Chartered agreed to pay almost $930 million to US&nbsp;authorities for criminal sanctions violations that included moving around $240 million via US&nbsp;financial institutions for Iranian customers. Standard Chartered accepted responsibility for the violations. French bank BNP Paribas in 2014 agreed to plead guilty to violating US&nbsp;sanctions on countries including Iran and to pay $8.9 billion. Both banks committed to improving their controls.

Binance says it does not accept customers in the United States. American clients are instead directed to a separate exchange called Binance.US, run by a US&nbsp;company which since 2019 has been registered with the Treasury as a money-service business.

Binance CEO Zhao has described Binance.US as a "fully independent entity." Reuters reported in October that he in fact controlled the U.S. exchange and directed its management from abroad. A Binance adviser, in a message to executives in 2018, described the U.S. operation as a "de facto subsidiary."

In a blog post after that article, Zhao reaffirmed that Binance.US "operates independently from Binance.com."

The vast majority of the $8 billion in Iranian crypto transactions identified by Reuters involved the main Binance exchange. But Binance.US also processed crypto transactions worth $1.5 million from Iranian exchanges Nobitex, Wallex and Tether Land, the Chainalysis data show.

US&nbsp;entities that violate the Iran sanctions can face criminal fines of up to $1 million per violation. People involved can face jail terms of up to 20 years. This October, the Treasury fined Seattle-based crypto exchange Bittrex $24 million for violating sanctions on Iran and other countries by processing crypto transactions worth over $260 million. Bittrex said at the time it was "pleased to have fully resolved" the matter.

Contacted for this article, a Binance.US spokesperson said Reuters' figures for its transactions with the Iranian exchanges were not accurate and that including "direct as well as indirect transactional data from Chainalysis both conflates and inflates the volume you cite." The spokesperson didn't provide an alternative figure.

Binance.US "adheres to all applicable US&nbsp;rules governing digital asset exchanges" and only permits trading by entities that have completed a "rigorous screening process," the spokesperson said.

Nobitex and the other Iranian crypto exchanges haven't been sanctioned by the United States. Reuters did not find evidence that sanctioned Iranian individuals, companies or organisations used Binance or Binance.US.

"THE BEST OPTION"

Nobitex, the largest Iranian exchange, launched in 2017. Its co-founder and CEO, Amirhosein Rad, did a doctorate in philosophy and chemical engineering at Iran's Sharif University of Technology, his LinkedIn profile shows. Rad didn't comment for this article.

Nobitex's aim, stated on its LinkedIn page earlier this year, is to allow Iranians to invest in crypto despite "the shadow of sanctions." As sanctions have hit Iran's ability to do business with the outside world, crypto has grown popular there for cross-border commerce. The exchange said it serves as a "safe bridge between 3.5 million Iranians and the world of cryptocurrencies."

Nobitex said in its 2021 annual report that it processes 70% of Iranian crypto transactions. The exchange has recommended that its clients use Binance in multiple posts on its website and social media channels, as recently as this year.

Nobitex users began moving bitcoin through Binance in April 2018, the Chainalysis data show.

In a trading guide on Nobitex's website, first published in 2019 and updated this October, Nobitex advised users to open accounts to convert their Iranian rials into crypto and then make transfers to a foreign exchange such as Binance, which it called the "most reliable." Subsequent posts in 2020 said that "for us Iranians, Binance is still the best option" and that Binance "causes fewer problems for Iranian users."

Noting the risk posed by U.S. sanctions, Nobitex's public terms of use recommend customers avoid the "direct transfer" of crypto from Nobitex to Binance and instead create multiple digital wallets to move funds in separate stages.

The volume of Tron transactions between Nobitex and Binance surged from August 2020, the Chainalysis data showed.

That same month, Tron's founder, Sun, said on Twitter the digital coin had enabled a new feature that allowed traders to mask their identities. Sun wrote that the feature, known as zk-SNARK, would "protect user data with the strongest privacy protection in the industry."

An article published in a Justice Department journal last year said the feature allows the development of "anonymity enhanced cryptocurrencies" that attract criminals "like sharks to chum" as they "seek out privacy to conceal their conduct."

Nobitex recommended that users open digital wallets with Binance to buy Tron due to its "high security." A Nobitex blog post in July 2021 said zk-SNARK was key to keeping those sending and receiving crypto "hidden."

Nobitex customers remained able to use Binance to trade Tron and other crypto tokens after Binance tightened its checks on clients on August 20, 2021, according to the data. Binance processed direct transactions from Nobitex totalling over $1 billion between that date and November of this year, far outstripping any other international exchange, it showed. As recently as this October, $20 million in Tron flowed directly between Binance and Nobitex, the data show.

Iranians sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for cyberattacks and ransomware activity have used Nobitex, a Chainalysis report in September said. Between 2015 and 2022, the digital wallets of sanctioned Iranians received over $230,000 in bitcoin ransomware funds, Chainalysis said, with most of the crypto sent to Nobitex.

The Treasury said the same month that the sanctioned Iranians were all affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a powerful faction that controls a business empire as well as elite armed and intelligence forces in Iran. Iranian authorities did not respond to a request for comment. The Iranian Foreign Ministry has called U.S. sanctions "unilateral, illegal and cruel."

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Crypto giant Binance has processed Iranian transactions with a value of $8 billion since 2018 despite US sanctions intended to cut Iran off from the global financial system, blockchain data show.

Crypto giant Binance has processed Iranian transactions with a value of $8 billion since 2018 despite US sanctions intended to cut Iran off from the global financial system, blockchain data show. Almost all the funds, some $7.8 billion, flowed between Binance and Iran's largest crypto exchange, Nobitex, according to a review of data from leading US blockchain researcher Chainalysis. Nobitex offers guidance on its website on how to skirt sanctions. Three-quarters of the Iranian funds that passed through Binance were in a relatively low-profile cryptocurrency called Tron that gives users an option to conceal their identities. In a blog post last year, Nobitex encouraged clients to use Tron — a mid-tier token — to trade anonymously without "endangering assets due to sanctions." The scale of Binance's Iranian crypto flows — and the fact that they are continuing — has not been previously reported. The new findings come as the US Justice Department is pursuing an investigation into possible violations of money-laundering rules by Binance, which dominates the $1 trillion crypto industry, with over 120 million users. The transactions put the company at risk of falling afoul of US prohibitions on doing business with Iran, lawyers and trade-sanctions experts said. In July, Reuters revealed that Binance continued to serve clients in Iran and that the exchange's popularity in the Islamic republic was known inside the company. It was one of a series of Reuters investigations into Binance's troubled history with financial regulatory compliance. The day of that article's publication, Binance said in a blog post that it follows international sanctions rules on Iran and blocks access to the platform to anyone based there. The exchange's billionaire founder, Changpeng Zhao, tweeted: "Binance banned Iranian users after sanctions, seven got missed/found a workaround, they were banned later anyways." Also Read | Iran finally admits it provided drones to Russia, but resolutely denies supplying missiles Binance didn't answer detailed questions about the new transactions uncovered by Reuters. In a statement, spokesperson Patrick Hillmann said, "Binance.com is not a US company, unlike other platforms that have exposure to these same US sanctioned entities. However, we have taken proactive steps to limit our exposure to the Iranian marketplace," working with industry partners and internal tools. Binance declines to give details of the location or the entity behind its Binance.com exchange. Nobitex didn't respond to questions for this article. Nor did the Tron Network, based in the British Virgin Islands, and its founder Justin Sun. In August 2021, Binance announced that customers would no longer be able to open accounts and use its services without identification. But since then, the exchange has processed almost $1.05 billion in trades directly from Nobitex and other Iranian exchanges, according to the Chainalysis data, which runs to November of this year. Since Zhao's tweet in July, Binance has processed around $80 million in Iranian trades. Hillmann said in the Binance statement that the company requires full "Know Your Customer" checks for all users "and residents of Iran are prohibited from opening or maintaining an account. We are continually updating processes and technology as we learn about new risks and potential exposures. As a result of these efforts, including real-time transaction monitoring in coordination with external vendors, between June of 2021 and November of 2022, Binance's exposure to Iranian-linked entities has seen an exponential decline." The data reviewed by Reuters show that in total some $2.95 billion in crypto moved directly between Iranian exchanges and Binance since 2018. A further $5 billion in crypto moved between Iranian exchanges and Binance through layers of intermediaries, the data also reveal. Regulators say such "indirect" flows should be a red flag to crypto exchanges - an indicator of possible money laundering and sanctions evasion. Crypto users seeking to cover their tracks often use sophisticated techniques to create complex chains of crypto transfers. Nobitex advises its 4 million customers on its website to avoid "the direct transfer" of crypto between Iranian and foreign crypto platforms to "maintain security." Binance spokesperson Hillmann told Reuters in June, in relation to the exchange's indirect exposure to illicit funds, that "what's important to note is not where the funds come from - as crypto deposits cannot be blocked - but what we do after the funds are deposited." He said Binance uses transaction monitoring and risk assessments to "ensure that any illegal funds are tracked, frozen, recovered and/or returned to their rightful owner." In addition to the Tron token, the remainder of the Iranian transactions were in major cryptocurrencies bitcoin, ether, tether and XRP, and a smaller token, litecoin. Binance is the biggest market for trading Tron, according to industry data. Some other major exchanges, including U.S.-regulated Coinbase and Gemini, do not list the token. Until recently, Tron has largely flown under the radar of cryptocurrency trackers. Market leader Chainalysis, used by US government agencies, only began fully supporting the tracing of Tron this May, according to an email Chainalysis sent to a client. The Tron dataset details over 1.15 million direct transfers between Binance and Nobitex since April 2020, when the first Tron flows were recorded. The data include wallet addresses and a unique identification number for each transaction. Reuters obtained the Tron figures, along with further datasets covering the other crypto tokens, from three firms with access to Chainalysis' Reactor investigation software. Reuters cross-checked each company's figures. A fourth firm also confirmed some of the figures on direct transfers based on a separate dataset compiled using different software. Reuters is making available here the data for direct transactions since August 20, 2021, amounting to around $1 billion. The total volume of Iranian transactions flowing through Binance is far greater than through any other exchange, the data show. After Binance, the next most popular exchange for Nobitex users since 2018 was Seychelles-based KuCoin, which processed $820 million in direct and indirect transactions. KuCoin and six other Iranian exchanges in the dataset– CoinNik Market, Iranicard, Rabex, Wallex, Sarmayex and Tether Land – did not respond to requests for comment. SANCTIONS RISK Binance has grown explosively since its launch in 2017. The company extended its reach from crypto last month by investing $500 million in Tesla boss Elon Musk's buyout of Twitter. The main focus of the US Justice Department investigation is whether Binance violated U.S. anti-money laundering laws. As part of the case, ongoing since 2018, the department is also investigating Binance for possible criminal sanctions violations in connection with Iran, three people with knowledge of the probe said. In late 2020, the department sought records from Binance on its compliance programme, including any documents related to the transfer of crypto funds for people or entities in countries including Iran. The Justice Department declined to comment. The US government reimposed sanctions in 2018 on Iran that had been suspended three years earlier as part of Iran's nuclear deal with world powers. The West and the United Nations have targeted Tehran since 1979 with sanctions over its nuclear programme, along with alleged human rights violations and support for terrorism. Six lawyers and sanctions experts said the Iranian transactions documented by Reuters put Binance at risk of US "secondary" sanctions, designed to prevent non-U.S. firms from doing business with sanctioned entities or helping Iranians evade the American trade embargo. Secondary sanctions can choke off a company's access to the US financial system. Binance could also be exposed to direct "primary" sanctions if the company has what the U.S. Treasury Department calls a "nexus to the United States," the lawyers and experts said. Such links can include any US-incorporated entities, or transactions processed through the US financial system or using the dollar, they said. Treasury didn't respond to a request for comment. In 2019, Britain's Standard Chartered agreed to pay almost $930 million to US authorities for criminal sanctions violations that included moving around $240 million via US financial institutions for Iranian customers. Standard Chartered accepted responsibility for the violations. French bank BNP Paribas in 2014 agreed to plead guilty to violating US sanctions on countries including Iran and to pay $8.9 billion. Both banks committed to improving their controls. Binance says it does not accept customers in the United States. American clients are instead directed to a separate exchange called Binance.US, run by a US company which since 2019 has been registered with the Treasury as a money-service business. Binance CEO Zhao has described Binance.US as a "fully independent entity." Reuters reported in October that he in fact controlled the U.S. exchange and directed its management from abroad. A Binance adviser, in a message to executives in 2018, described the U.S. operation as a "de facto subsidiary." In a blog post after that article, Zhao reaffirmed that Binance.US "operates independently from Binance.com." The vast majority of the $8 billion in Iranian crypto transactions identified by Reuters involved the main Binance exchange. But Binance.US also processed crypto transactions worth $1.5 million from Iranian exchanges Nobitex, Wallex and Tether Land, the Chainalysis data show. US entities that violate the Iran sanctions can face criminal fines of up to $1 million per violation. People involved can face jail terms of up to 20 years. This October, the Treasury fined Seattle-based crypto exchange Bittrex $24 million for violating sanctions on Iran and other countries by processing crypto transactions worth over $260 million. Bittrex said at the time it was "pleased to have fully resolved" the matter. Contacted for this article, a Binance.US spokesperson said Reuters' figures for its transactions with the Iranian exchanges were not accurate and that including "direct as well as indirect transactional data from Chainalysis both conflates and inflates the volume you cite." The spokesperson didn't provide an alternative figure. Binance.US "adheres to all applicable US rules governing digital asset exchanges" and only permits trading by entities that have completed a "rigorous screening process," the spokesperson said. Nobitex and the other Iranian crypto exchanges haven't been sanctioned by the United States. Reuters did not find evidence that sanctioned Iranian individuals, companies or organisations used Binance or Binance.US. "THE BEST OPTION" Nobitex, the largest Iranian exchange, launched in 2017. Its co-founder and CEO, Amirhosein Rad, did a doctorate in philosophy and chemical engineering at Iran's Sharif University of Technology, his LinkedIn profile shows. Rad didn't comment for this article. Nobitex's aim, stated on its LinkedIn page earlier this year, is to allow Iranians to invest in crypto despite "the shadow of sanctions." As sanctions have hit Iran's ability to do business with the outside world, crypto has grown popular there for cross-border commerce. The exchange said it serves as a "safe bridge between 3.5 million Iranians and the world of cryptocurrencies." Nobitex said in its 2021 annual report that it processes 70% of Iranian crypto transactions. The exchange has recommended that its clients use Binance in multiple posts on its website and social media channels, as recently as this year. Nobitex users began moving bitcoin through Binance in April 2018, the Chainalysis data show. In a trading guide on Nobitex's website, first published in 2019 and updated this October, Nobitex advised users to open accounts to convert their Iranian rials into crypto and then make transfers to a foreign exchange such as Binance, which it called the "most reliable." Subsequent posts in 2020 said that "for us Iranians, Binance is still the best option" and that Binance "causes fewer problems for Iranian users." Noting the risk posed by U.S. sanctions, Nobitex's public terms of use recommend customers avoid the "direct transfer" of crypto from Nobitex to Binance and instead create multiple digital wallets to move funds in separate stages. The volume of Tron transactions between Nobitex and Binance surged from August 2020, the Chainalysis data showed. That same month, Tron's founder, Sun, said on Twitter the digital coin had enabled a new feature that allowed traders to mask their identities. Sun wrote that the feature, known as zk-SNARK, would "protect user data with the strongest privacy protection in the industry." An article published in a Justice Department journal last year said the feature allows the development of "anonymity enhanced cryptocurrencies" that attract criminals "like sharks to chum" as they "seek out privacy to conceal their conduct." Nobitex recommended that users open digital wallets with Binance to buy Tron due to its "high security." A Nobitex blog post in July 2021 said zk-SNARK was key to keeping those sending and receiving crypto "hidden." Nobitex customers remained able to use Binance to trade Tron and other crypto tokens after Binance tightened its checks on clients on August 20, 2021, according to the data. Binance processed direct transactions from Nobitex totalling over $1 billion between that date and November of this year, far outstripping any other international exchange, it showed. As recently as this October, $20 million in Tron flowed directly between Binance and Nobitex, the data show. Iranians sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for cyberattacks and ransomware activity have used Nobitex, a Chainalysis report in September said. Between 2015 and 2022, the digital wallets of sanctioned Iranians received over $230,000 in bitcoin ransomware funds, Chainalysis said, with most of the crypto sent to Nobitex. The Treasury said the same month that the sanctioned Iranians were all affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a powerful faction that controls a business empire as well as elite armed and intelligence forces in Iran. Iranian authorities did not respond to a request for comment. The Iranian Foreign Ministry has called U.S. sanctions "unilateral, illegal and cruel." You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Crypto exchange Binance helped Iranian firms trade $8 billion despite sanctions

The European Union (EU) on Monday imposed sanctions on Iran’s Morality police, information minister and other senior officials in the wake of crackdown against the weeks-long protests sparked by Mahsa Amini's death.

Earlier in the day, EU foreign ministers met to blacklist three more entities, apart from the Morality Police under whose custody the 22-year-old woman died on September 16 after she was detained for violating the Islamic dress code for women. &nbsp;

The entities that have been backlisted include the chiefs of the so-called morality police, the Revolutionary Guard's Basij paramilitary force, and a uniformed branch of the national&nbsp;police.

Under the sanctions, these Iranian officials will be subjected to EU visa bans and asset freezes.

Last week, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen warned that "now is the time to sanction those responsible" in Iran "for the repression of women".

The US, Britain and Canada have already announced sanctions on Iran.

Meanwhile, Iran has vowed to take an "immediate" response against the EU’s sanctions.

Foreign ministry spokesman Naser Kanani said that the Tehran regime will "decide and act immediately in accordance with the decisions and actions" taken by EU member countries.

Earlier, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had slammed United States President Joe Biden for his expressing support to the protests and accused him of “inciting chaos”.

“The remarks of the American president – who is inciting chaos, terror and the destruction of another country – serve as a reminder of the eternal words of the founder of the Islamic Republic who called America&nbsp;the Great Satan,” Raisi said, referring to the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomenei.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE: 

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The European Union (EU) on Monday imposed sanctions on Iran’s Morality police, information minister and other senior officials in the wake of crackdown against the weeks-long protests sparked by Mahsa Amini's death.

The European Union (EU) on Monday imposed sanctions on Iran’s Morality police, information minister and other senior officials in the wake of crackdown against the weeks-long protests sparked by Mahsa Amini's death. Earlier in the day, EU foreign ministers met to blacklist three more entities, apart from the Morality Police under whose custody the 22-year-old woman died on September 16 after she was detained for violating the Islamic dress code for women. The entities that have been backlisted include the chiefs of the so-called morality police, the Revolutionary Guard's Basij paramilitary force, and a uniformed branch of the national police. Under the sanctions, these Iranian officials will be subjected to EU visa bans and asset freezes. Last week, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen warned that "now is the time to sanction those responsible" in Iran "for the repression of women". The US, Britain and Canada have already announced sanctions on Iran. Meanwhile, Iran has vowed to take an "immediate" response against the EU’s sanctions. Foreign ministry spokesman Naser Kanani said that the Tehran regime will "decide and act immediately in accordance with the decisions and actions" taken by EU member countries. Earlier, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had slammed United States President Joe Biden for his expressing support to the protests and accused him of “inciting chaos”. “The remarks of the American president – who is inciting chaos, terror and the destruction of another country – serve as a reminder of the eternal words of the founder of the Islamic Republic who called America the Great Satan,” Raisi said, referring to the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomenei. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Mahsa Amini's death: EU sanctions Iran’s Morality Police, minister for crackdown on protests

According to reports, US officials have threatened “severe consequences” against Iran after it imposed&nbsp;sanctions against former President Trump administration officials calling it&nbsp;an assassination threat.

Former President Trump had imposed large scale sanctions against Iran and had walked out of the nuclear deal in 2019 citing national security threats as Iran revived its nuclear programme.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the US will "protect and defend its citizens" including "those serving the United States now and those who formerly served."

Iran's Revolutionary Guard had vowed to take revenge after its commander General Soleimani was killed in a US drone in Iraq's capital Baghdad on January 3, 2020.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-has-iran-been-doing-after-us-left-landmark-nuclear-deal-433617">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;How has Iran been doing after US left landmark nuclear deal?</a>

Iran on Saturday had announced sanctions on US chairman of the joint chiefs of staff Mark Milley for his alleged role in the assassination of General Soleimani. The Iranian regime had also imposed sanctions against &nbsp;50 Americans including senior officials.

The Iranian Quds force once again reiterated the threat relaying it its state media saying "we will provide for the basis of revenge against the Americans from within their houses and by people by their side without us being present," while adding that, "if wise people in America are found who deal with those who committed the atrocity of assassinating commander Soleimani."

Watch:&nbsp;Iran ready to 'restore relations' with Saudi Arabia

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-iran-ready-to-restore-relations-with-saudi-arabia-443025/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Iran had also imposed sanctions against Trump's former national security advisor Robert O'Brien and ex-envoy to the UN&nbsp;Nikki Haley.

In a hard-hitting reply, the US said the country is united against "threats and provocations" while adding&nbsp;that it will work with allies "to deter and respond to any attacks carried out by Iran."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/naftali-bennett-says-israel-not-bound-by-any-nuclear-deal-with-iran-443668">Also Read:&nbsp;&nbsp;Naftali Bennett says Israel not bound by any nuclear deal with Iran</a>

The development comes even as the US and other Western powers are engaged in talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal. The talks stalled last year after the new regime came to power in Iran, although it had restarted but several issues are yet to resolved even as the US has insisted that time is running out for the deal. &nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

According to reports, US officials have threatened “severe consequences” against Iran after it imposed sanctions against former President Trump administration officials calling it an assassination threat.

According to reports, US officials have threatened “severe consequences” against Iran after it imposed sanctions against former President Trump administration officials calling it an assassination threat. Former President Trump had imposed large scale sanctions against Iran and had walked out of the nuclear deal in 2019 citing national security threats as Iran revived its nuclear programme. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the US will "protect and defend its citizens" including "those serving the United States now and those who formerly served." Iran's Revolutionary Guard had vowed to take revenge after its commander General Soleimani was killed in a US drone in Iraq's capital Baghdad on January 3, 2020. Also Read in Pics: How has Iran been doing after US left landmark nuclear deal? Iran on Saturday had announced sanctions on US chairman of the joint chiefs of staff Mark Milley for his alleged role in the assassination of General Soleimani. The Iranian regime had also imposed sanctions against 50 Americans including senior officials. The Iranian Quds force once again reiterated the threat relaying it its state media saying "we will provide for the basis of revenge against the Americans from within their houses and by people by their side without us being present," while adding that, "if wise people in America are found who deal with those who committed the atrocity of assassinating commander Soleimani." Watch: Iran ready to 'restore relations' with Saudi Arabia Iran had also imposed sanctions against Trump's former national security advisor Robert O'Brien and ex-envoy to the UN Nikki Haley. In a hard-hitting reply, the US said the country is united against "threats and provocations" while adding that it will work with allies "to deter and respond to any attacks carried out by Iran." Also Read: Naftali Bennett says Israel not bound by any nuclear deal with Iran The development comes even as the US and other Western powers are engaged in talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal. The talks stalled last year after the new regime came to power in Iran, although it had restarted but several issues are yet to resolved even as the US has insisted that time is running out for the deal. (With inputs from Agencies)

Sanctions row: US fears Iran plotting assassination attempt against Trump officials

In a move that could potentially undermine talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, the US on Thursday threatened to confront Iran next month at the IAEA if the country does not cooperate more with the watchdog.

Tehran is embroiled in a number of standoffs with the IAEA, whose 35-nation Board of Governors is meeting this week.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-warns-nuclear-talks-would-fail-unless-biden-provides-guarantees-426395">Iran warns nuclear talks would fail unless Biden provides guarantees</a>

In 2015, then-president Donald Trump withdrew Washington from an agreement that lifted sanctions imposed on Iran, in exchange for restrictions on Iran's nuclear program. Afterwards, he reimposed debilitating sanctions; this led to Tehran expanding its nuclear activities and reducing cooperation with the IAEA.

As part of its investigation, the IAEA is seeking answers about the origin of uranium particles found at seemingly old but undeclared sites. The organisation also alleges that Iran is subjecting its inspectors to "excessively invasive physical searches."

"If Iran's non-cooperation is not immediately remedied ... the Board will have no choice but to reconvene in extraordinary session before the end of this year in order to address the crisis," a US statement to the Board of Governors said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/either-we-agree-on-everything-or-agree-on-nothing-iran-warns-us-over-nuclear-deal-427765">Either we agree on everything or agree on nothing: Iran warns US over nuclear deal</a>

It said it was referring "especially" to re-installing IAEA cameras at the Karaj workshop, which makes parts for advanced centrifuges that enrich uranium.

Iranian authorities are refusing to allow the IAEA to re-install surveillance cameras at a workshop at the TESA Karaj complex.&nbsp;

The country believes its arch-enemy Israel was responsible for an&nbsp;apparent sabotage attack targeted at&nbsp;that workshop in June.

Watch |&nbsp;Iran: UN nuclear watchdog monitors Iran's nuclear program

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-un-nuclear-watchdog-monitors-irans-nuclear-program-431790/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

There were&nbsp;four cameras installed there by the IAEA, but one of them was apparently destroyed and its footage lost.&nbsp;Soon after the incident, Iran removed all the cameras. The Israeli government has not responded to the incident.

Rafael Grossi, the IAEA chief, said Wednesday that he did not know if the workshop was operating again, and that time was running out for an agreement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iaea-chief-says-time-running-out-to-end-stand-off-over-iran-workshop-431695">IAEA chief says time running out to end stand-off over Iran workshop</a>

The purpose of an extraordinary meeting of the Board would probably be to pass a resolution against Iran, escalating diplomatic tensions with Tehran.

That may jeopardise the indirect talks between Iran and the United States about renewing the 2015 deal, which is set to resume on Monday.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a move that could potentially undermine talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, the US on Thursday threatened to confront Iran next month at the IAEA if the country does not cooperate more with the watchdog.

In a move that could potentially undermine talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, the US on Thursday threatened to confront Iran next month at the IAEA if the country does not cooperate more with the watchdog. Tehran is embroiled in a number of standoffs with the IAEA, whose 35-nation Board of Governors is meeting this week. Also read | Iran warns nuclear talks would fail unless Biden provides guarantees In 2015, then-president Donald Trump withdrew Washington from an agreement that lifted sanctions imposed on Iran, in exchange for restrictions on Iran's nuclear program. Afterwards, he reimposed debilitating sanctions; this led to Tehran expanding its nuclear activities and reducing cooperation with the IAEA. As part of its investigation, the IAEA is seeking answers about the origin of uranium particles found at seemingly old but undeclared sites. The organisation also alleges that Iran is subjecting its inspectors to "excessively invasive physical searches." "If Iran's non-cooperation is not immediately remedied ... the Board will have no choice but to reconvene in extraordinary session before the end of this year in order to address the crisis," a US statement to the Board of Governors said. Also read | Either we agree on everything or agree on nothing: Iran warns US over nuclear deal It said it was referring "especially" to re-installing IAEA cameras at the Karaj workshop, which makes parts for advanced centrifuges that enrich uranium. Iranian authorities are refusing to allow the IAEA to re-install surveillance cameras at a workshop at the TESA Karaj complex. The country believes its arch-enemy Israel was responsible for an apparent sabotage attack targeted at that workshop in June. Watch | Iran: UN nuclear watchdog monitors Iran's nuclear program There were four cameras installed there by the IAEA, but one of them was apparently destroyed and its footage lost. Soon after the incident, Iran removed all the cameras. The Israeli government has not responded to the incident. Rafael Grossi, the IAEA chief, said Wednesday that he did not know if the workshop was operating again, and that time was running out for an agreement. Also read | IAEA chief says time running out to end stand-off over Iran workshop The purpose of an extraordinary meeting of the Board would probably be to pass a resolution against Iran, escalating diplomatic tensions with Tehran. That may jeopardise the indirect talks between Iran and the United States about renewing the 2015 deal, which is set to resume on Monday. (With inputs from agencies)

US threatens escalation with Iran at IAEA next month if Tehran does not cooperate

Time is running out for the U.N. atomic watchdog to gain access to re-install cameras at a centrifuge-parts workshop in Iran, as the agency will soon be unable to guarantee equipment is not being diverted to make atom bombs, its chief said on Wednesday.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi was speaking the day after a trip to Tehran in which he said he made no progress on several disputes, the most pressing of which is getting access to the workshop at the TESA Karaj complex two months after Iran promised to grant it.

The workshop makes parts for advanced centrifuges - machines that enrich uranium - and was the victim of apparent sabotage in June. Tehran blames Israel for what it says was an attack, which destroyed one of four IAEA cameras there. Iran later removed all the cameras and the destroyed camera's footage is missing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/i-am-a-woman-iranian-goalkeeper-zohreh-koudaei-reacts-to-claims-that-she-is-a-man-vows-to-sue-jordanian-fa-430259">Also read |&nbsp;'I am a WOMAN': Iranian goalkeeper Zohreh Koudaei reacts to claims that she is a MAN, vows to sue Jordanian FA</a>

"We are close to the point where I would not be able to guarantee continuity of knowledge," Grossi told a news conference on the first day of a quarterly meeting of his agency's 35-nation Board of Governors.

That would mean there was a gap in IAEA monitoring of sensitive installations, during which a significant amount of material or equipment could be siphoned off to a secret nuclear weapons programme.

The IAEA has repeatedly said it has no indication that Iran has a secret weapons programme, and Iran insists its aims are peaceful. But Grossi said he still does not know whether Karaj is operational or not five months after the apparent attack.

"It is obvious that such a long period of time without us getting access, knowing whether there are operational activities ongoing, is something that in itself would at some point prevent me from continuing to say 'I have an idea of what is going on'," Grossi said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-frees-two-soldiers-kidnapped-by-jaish-ul-adl-terrorist-group-361366">Also read |&nbsp;Iran frees two soldiers kidnapped by Jaish ul-Adl terrorist group&nbsp;</a>

Complicating factor

The issue is a complicating factor ahead of indirect talks between the United States and Iran on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal with major powers that resume in Vienna on Monday.

The United States and its European allies would normally pressure Iran on the issue by trying to pass a resolution against it at the IAEA's quarterly meeting.

However, diplomats say it is unlikely there will be any such attempt this time for fear of jeopardising those talks aimed at bringing Tehran and the United States back into full compliance with the 2015 deal.

That deal lifted international sanctions against Tehran in exchange for restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities, but little currently remains of the pact in practice.

Former President Donald Trump, who vehemently opposed the deal struck before he took office, pulled Washington out of the agreement and reimposed US&nbsp;sanctions on Iran, prompting Iran to progressively breach its restrictions and keep advancing its nuclear activities.

Time is running out for the U.N. atomic watchdog to gain access to re-install cameras at a centrifuge-parts workshop in Iran, as the agency will soon be unable to guarantee equipment is not being diverted to make atom bombs, its chief said on Wednesday.

Time is running out for the U.N. atomic watchdog to gain access to re-install cameras at a centrifuge-parts workshop in Iran, as the agency will soon be unable to guarantee equipment is not being diverted to make atom bombs, its chief said on Wednesday. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi was speaking the day after a trip to Tehran in which he said he made no progress on several disputes, the most pressing of which is getting access to the workshop at the TESA Karaj complex two months after Iran promised to grant it. The workshop makes parts for advanced centrifuges - machines that enrich uranium - and was the victim of apparent sabotage in June. Tehran blames Israel for what it says was an attack, which destroyed one of four IAEA cameras there. Iran later removed all the cameras and the destroyed camera's footage is missing. Also read | 'I am a WOMAN': Iranian goalkeeper Zohreh Koudaei reacts to claims that she is a MAN, vows to sue Jordanian FA "We are close to the point where I would not be able to guarantee continuity of knowledge," Grossi told a news conference on the first day of a quarterly meeting of his agency's 35-nation Board of Governors. That would mean there was a gap in IAEA monitoring of sensitive installations, during which a significant amount of material or equipment could be siphoned off to a secret nuclear weapons programme. The IAEA has repeatedly said it has no indication that Iran has a secret weapons programme, and Iran insists its aims are peaceful. But Grossi said he still does not know whether Karaj is operational or not five months after the apparent attack. "It is obvious that such a long period of time without us getting access, knowing whether there are operational activities ongoing, is something that in itself would at some point prevent me from continuing to say 'I have an idea of what is going on'," Grossi said. Also read | Iran frees two soldiers kidnapped by Jaish ul-Adl terrorist group Complicating factor The issue is a complicating factor ahead of indirect talks between the United States and Iran on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal with major powers that resume in Vienna on Monday. The United States and its European allies would normally pressure Iran on the issue by trying to pass a resolution against it at the IAEA's quarterly meeting. However, diplomats say it is unlikely there will be any such attempt this time for fear of jeopardising those talks aimed at bringing Tehran and the United States back into full compliance with the 2015 deal. That deal lifted international sanctions against Tehran in exchange for restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities, but little currently remains of the pact in practice. Former President Donald Trump, who vehemently opposed the deal struck before he took office, pulled Washington out of the agreement and reimposed US sanctions on Iran, prompting Iran to progressively breach its restrictions and keep advancing its nuclear activities.

IAEA chief says time running out to end stand-off over Iran workshop

Iran&nbsp;rejected as "ridiculous and baseless" the United States' claim of Tehran's involvement in plotting to kidnap a New York journalist and human rights activist who was critical of the Islamic Republic,&nbsp;Iranian state media reported on Wednesday.

"This new claim by the US&nbsp;government ... is so baseless and ridiculous that it is not really worth answering," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh.

A Justice Department indictment unsealed on Tuesday showed that US&nbsp;prosecutors have charged four&nbsp;Iranians, alleged to be intelligence operatives for Tehran, with plotting to kidnap the activist. The indictment did not name the target of the plot, but Reuters has confirmed that she is&nbsp;Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad.

"This is not the first time that the United States has undertaken such Hollywood scenarios," Khatibzadeh said.

Iran's intelligence services have in the past detained opposition figures and journalists abroad, including the 2020 arrest of Jamshid Sharmahd, a US-based leader of a pro-monarchist group whom Tehran accused of being behind a deadly 2008 bombing and of plotting other attacks.

Iran&nbsp;did not say how or where Sharmahd, who is in jail in&nbsp;Iran, was detained.

In October 2019,&nbsp;Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards Corps said it had trapped Paris-based dissident journalist Ruhollah Zam in a “complex operation using intelligence deception”. It did not say where the operation took place.

Zam, who was convicted of fomenting violence during anti-government protests in 2017, was executed in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;in 2020.

Iran rejected as "ridiculous and baseless" the United States' claim of Tehran's involvement in plotting to kidnap a New York journalist and human rights activist who was critical of the Islamic Republic, Iranian state media reported on Wednesday.

Iran rejected as "ridiculous and baseless" the United States' claim of Tehran's involvement in plotting to kidnap a New York journalist and human rights activist who was critical of the Islamic Republic, Iranian state media reported on Wednesday. "This new claim by the US government ... is so baseless and ridiculous that it is not really worth answering," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh. A Justice Department indictment unsealed on Tuesday showed that US prosecutors have charged four Iranians, alleged to be intelligence operatives for Tehran, with plotting to kidnap the activist. The indictment did not name the target of the plot, but Reuters has confirmed that she is Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad. "This is not the first time that the United States has undertaken such Hollywood scenarios," Khatibzadeh said. Iran's intelligence services have in the past detained opposition figures and journalists abroad, including the 2020 arrest of Jamshid Sharmahd, a US-based leader of a pro-monarchist group whom Tehran accused of being behind a deadly 2008 bombing and of plotting other attacks. Iran did not say how or where Sharmahd, who is in jail in Iran, was detained. In October 2019, Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards Corps said it had trapped Paris-based dissident journalist Ruhollah Zam in a “complex operation using intelligence deception”. It did not say where the operation took place. Zam, who was convicted of fomenting violence during anti-government protests in 2017, was executed in Iran in 2020.

US claim on plot to kidnap journalist ridiculous: Iran

iran-sanctions

Iran Sanctions, News on Iran Sanctions, stories on Iran Sanctions, articles on Iran Sanctions, Iran Sanctions stories at Wion, Iran Sanctions news, Iran Sanctions latest news

iran sanctions