Iran has denied any links with the 24-year-old man who attacked Salman Rushdie in New York. But reports claim the attacker was a sympathiser of the Iran revolutionary guards. Palki Sharma traces the conflict between Iran and Rushdie.

Gravitas: Salman Rushdie's attacker linked to Iran guards?

Iran has finally responded to the European Union's draft text that was revealed last week to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal, although no details of Iran's response have been revealed yet reports suggest that Iran is still looking for ways to continue its negotiation on certain issues.

Iran responds to EU's final proposal on nuke deal

Iran will respond to the European Union's "final" draft text to save a 2015 nuclear deal by midnight on Monday, its foreign minister said, calling on the United States to show flexibility to resolve three remaining issues.

After 16 months of fitful, indirect U.S.-Iranian talks, with the EU shuttling between the parties, a senior EU official said on Aug. 8 it had laid down a "final" offer and expected a response within a "very, very few weeks."

While Washington has said it is ready to quickly seal a deal to restore the 2015 accord on the basis of the EU proposals, Iranian negotiators said Tehran's "additional views and considerations" to the EU text would be conveyed later.

"Our answer will be given to the EU tonight at 12 midnight...There are three issues that if resolved, we can reach an agreement in the coming days," Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said, suggesting Tehran's response would not be a final acceptance or rejection of the EU proposal.

"We have told them that our red lines should be respected...We have shown enough flexibility...We do not want to reach a deal that after 40 days, two months or three months fails to be materialised on the ground."

Diplomats and officials told Reuters that whether or not Tehran and Washington accept the EU's "final" offer, neither is likely to declare the pact dead because keeping it alive serves both sides' interests.

Amirabdollahian said that "the coming days are very important" to see whether the United States will show flexibility over the remaining three issues.

"It would not be end of the world if they fail to show flexibility...Then we will need more efforts and talks...to resolve the remaining issues," he said.

The stakes are high, since failure in the nuclear negotiations would carry the risk of a fresh regional war with

Israel threatening military action against Iran if diplomacy fails to prevent Tehran develop a nuclear weapons capability.

Tehran, which has long denied having such ambition, has warned of a "crushing" response to any Israeli attack.

"Like Washington, we have our own plan B if the talks fail," Amirabdollahian said.

In 2018, then-President Donald Trump reneged on the deal reached before he took office, calling it too soft on Iran, and reimposed harsh U.S. sanctions, spurring the Islamic Republic to begin breaching its limits on uranium enrichment.

The 2015 agreement appeared on the verge of revival in March after 11 months of indirect talks between Tehran and U.S. President Joe Biden's administration in Vienna.

But talks broke down over obstacles including Tehran's demand that Washington provide guarantees that no U.S. president would abandon the deal as Trump did.

Biden cannot promise this because the nuclear deal is a non-binding political understanding, not a legally binding treaty.

"They need to adopt a realistic approach about guarantees. Regarding the two other remaining issues, they have shown some relative flexibility verbally, but it needs to be mentioned in the text," Amirabdollahian said. 
&nbsp;

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Iran will respond to the European Union's "final" draft text to save a 2015 nuclear deal by midnight on Monday, its foreign minister said, calling on the United States to show flexibility to resolve three remaining issues.

Iran will respond to the European Union's "final" draft text to save a 2015 nuclear deal by midnight on Monday, its foreign minister said, calling on the United States to show flexibility to resolve three remaining issues. After 16 months of fitful, indirect U.S.-Iranian talks, with the EU shuttling between the parties, a senior EU official said on Aug. 8 it had laid down a "final" offer and expected a response within a "very, very few weeks." While Washington has said it is ready to quickly seal a deal to restore the 2015 accord on the basis of the EU proposals, Iranian negotiators said Tehran's "additional views and considerations" to the EU text would be conveyed later. "Our answer will be given to the EU tonight at 12 midnight...There are three issues that if resolved, we can reach an agreement in the coming days," Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said, suggesting Tehran's response would not be a final acceptance or rejection of the EU proposal. "We have told them that our red lines should be respected...We have shown enough flexibility...We do not want to reach a deal that after 40 days, two months or three months fails to be materialised on the ground." Diplomats and officials told Reuters that whether or not Tehran and Washington accept the EU's "final" offer, neither is likely to declare the pact dead because keeping it alive serves both sides' interests. Amirabdollahian said that "the coming days are very important" to see whether the United States will show flexibility over the remaining three issues. "It would not be end of the world if they fail to show flexibility...Then we will need more efforts and talks...to resolve the remaining issues," he said. The stakes are high, since failure in the nuclear negotiations would carry the risk of a fresh regional war with Israel threatening military action against Iran if diplomacy fails to prevent Tehran develop a nuclear weapons capability. Tehran, which has long denied having such ambition, has warned of a "crushing" response to any Israeli attack. "Like Washington, we have our own plan B if the talks fail," Amirabdollahian said. In 2018, then-President Donald Trump reneged on the deal reached before he took office, calling it too soft on Iran, and reimposed harsh U.S. sanctions, spurring the Islamic Republic to begin breaching its limits on uranium enrichment. The 2015 agreement appeared on the verge of revival in March after 11 months of indirect talks between Tehran and U.S. President Joe Biden's administration in Vienna. But talks broke down over obstacles including Tehran's demand that Washington provide guarantees that no U.S. president would abandon the deal as Trump did. Biden cannot promise this because the nuclear deal is a non-binding political understanding, not a legally binding treaty. "They need to adopt a realistic approach about guarantees. Regarding the two other remaining issues, they have shown some relative flexibility verbally, but it needs to be mentioned in the text," Amirabdollahian said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Foreign minister: Iran will respond to EU's nuclear text by midnight Monday

Iran has denied any link with the attacker of author Salman Rushdie but blamed the writer himself for "insulting" Islam in the novel "The Satanic Verses". Molly Gambhir tells you more.

WION Fineprint | Iran says Rushdie and supporters to blame for stabbing

Iran has finally responded to the horrific and life-threatening attack on author Salman Rushdie that shocked the world. On Monday (August 15), the foreign ministry in Tehran denies involvement and said that no one has the right to level accusations against Iran.&nbsp;

The Indian-born novelist was stabbed in the neck last Friday on a stage at the Chautauqua Institution in New York state. The attacker rushed to the stage and stabbed the 75-year-old multiple times.&nbsp;

In Tehran's first official reaction, the foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani in fact said that Rushdie himself is to blame after denigrating the world's Muslims.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/salman-rushdie-on-long-road-to-recovery-says-his-agent-507031">Salman Rushdie on ‘long road to recovery’, says his agent</a>&nbsp;

Kanani said that "we categorically deny" any link with the attack and "no one has the right to accuse the Islamic Republic of Iran."&nbsp;

At his weekly press conference in Tehran, he said, "In this attack, we do not consider anyone other than Salman Rushdie and his supporters worthy of blame and even condemnation."&nbsp;

"By insulting the sacred matters of Islam and crossing the red lines of more than 1.5 billion Muslims and all followers of the divine religions, Salman Rushdie has exposed himself to the anger and rage of the people," he added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hadi-matars-father-refuses-to-speak-after-his-son-tried-to-murder-salman-rushdie-507004">Hadi Matar's father refuses to speak after his son tried to murder Rushdie</a>&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Rushdie's attacker pleads not guilty in court&nbsp;

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Rushdie spent years hiding under death threats from Iran because of writing the novel "The Satanic Verses". He faced death threats and moved to the United Kingdom. The novel was banned in many countries with large Muslim populations upon its 1988 publication.&nbsp;

A year later, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, then supreme leader of Iran, pronounced a fatwa, calling upon Muslims to kill the novelist and anyone involved in its publication for blasphemy.&nbsp;

Even a bounty worth millions of dollars were raised to murder the novelist by some unknown Iranian organisations, some affiliated with the government.&nbsp;

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Iran has finally responded to the horrific and life-threatening attack on author Salman Rushdie that shocked the world. On Monday (August 15), the foreign ministry in Tehran denies involvement and said that no one has the right to level accusations against Iran.

Iran has finally responded to the horrific and life-threatening attack on author Salman Rushdie that shocked the world. On Monday (August 15), the foreign ministry in Tehran denies involvement and said that no one has the right to level accusations against Iran. The Indian-born novelist was stabbed in the neck last Friday on a stage at the Chautauqua Institution in New York state. The attacker rushed to the stage and stabbed the 75-year-old multiple times. In Tehran's first official reaction, the foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani in fact said that Rushdie himself is to blame after denigrating the world's Muslims. ALSO READ | Salman Rushdie on ‘long road to recovery’, says his agent Kanani said that "we categorically deny" any link with the attack and "no one has the right to accuse the Islamic Republic of Iran." At his weekly press conference in Tehran, he said, "In this attack, we do not consider anyone other than Salman Rushdie and his supporters worthy of blame and even condemnation." "By insulting the sacred matters of Islam and crossing the red lines of more than 1.5 billion Muslims and all followers of the divine religions, Salman Rushdie has exposed himself to the anger and rage of the people," he added. ALSO READ | Hadi Matar's father refuses to speak after his son tried to murder Rushdie WATCH | Rushdie's attacker pleads not guilty in court × Rushdie spent years hiding under death threats from Iran because of writing the novel "The Satanic Verses". He faced death threats and moved to the United Kingdom. The novel was banned in many countries with large Muslim populations upon its 1988 publication. A year later, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, then supreme leader of Iran, pronounced a fatwa, calling upon Muslims to kill the novelist and anyone involved in its publication for blasphemy. Even a bounty worth millions of dollars were raised to murder the novelist by some unknown Iranian organisations, some affiliated with the government. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iran responds to Salman Rushdie's stabbing: Denies involvement but blames writer for the attack

Two days after Salman Rushdie was attacked in New York, Iran has made its first public statement. The Foreign Ministry said they were not involved in the assault.

Iran Foreign Ministry: No one has the right to accuse Tehran, denies any link with attacker

Rishi Sunak, one of the candidates for the UK PM race has said that the recent attack on author Salman Rushdie is a ‘wake-up call for the West’ over Iran, The Sunday Telegraph reported.

Following the stabbing of Rushdie, the former chancellor said that the UK should declare Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a ‘terrorist organisation'.

Rushdie, an Indian-born author, was stabbed in the neck and torso while on stage for giving a lecture in New York state. The author had spent years in hiding after Iran urged Muslims to kill him over his book "The Satanic Verses."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/satan-on-the-way-to-hell-iranian-hardline-newspapers-praise-attack-on-salman-rushdie-506624">'Satan on the way to hell': Iranian hardline newspapers praise attack on Salman Rushdie</a>

Sunak stated, referring to the nuclear deal between the West and Iran, "We urgently need a new, strengthened deal and much tougher sanctions, and if we can’t get results, then we have to start asking whether the JCPOA is at a dead end," the Sunday Telegraph reported. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is a 2015 agreement that allowed Iran to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for relief from US, European Union, and UN sanctions.

Rishi said, "The situation in Iran is extremely serious and in standing up to [Vladimir] Putin we can’t take our eye off the ball elsewhere," The Sunday Telegraph reported.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/salman-rushdie-on-ventilator-may-lose-an-eye-unable-to-speak-506386">Salman Rushdie on ventilator after surgery; may lose an eye, unable to speak</a>

The UK is currently making efforts with the US and European Union to revive the agreement.

In 2018, the former president, Donald Trump, withdrew the US from the agreement, which Biden, the current president, is working to revive. Joe Biden claims it to be a way of stopping Iran from developing nuclear bombs.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Rishi Sunak, one of the candidates for the UK PM race has said that the recent attack on author Salman Rushdie is a ‘wake-up call for the West’ over Iran, The Sunday Telegraph reported.

Rishi Sunak, one of the candidates for the UK PM race has said that the recent attack on author Salman Rushdie is a ‘wake-up call for the West’ over Iran, The Sunday Telegraph reported. Following the stabbing of Rushdie, the former chancellor said that the UK should declare Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a ‘terrorist organisation'. Rushdie, an Indian-born author, was stabbed in the neck and torso while on stage for giving a lecture in New York state. The author had spent years in hiding after Iran urged Muslims to kill him over his book "The Satanic Verses." Also read | 'Satan on the way to hell': Iranian hardline newspapers praise attack on Salman Rushdie Sunak stated, referring to the nuclear deal between the West and Iran, "We urgently need a new, strengthened deal and much tougher sanctions, and if we can’t get results, then we have to start asking whether the JCPOA is at a dead end," the Sunday Telegraph reported. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is a 2015 agreement that allowed Iran to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for relief from US, European Union, and UN sanctions. Rishi said, "The situation in Iran is extremely serious and in standing up to [Vladimir] Putin we can’t take our eye off the ball elsewhere," The Sunday Telegraph reported. Also read | Salman Rushdie on ventilator after surgery; may lose an eye, unable to speak The UK is currently making efforts with the US and European Union to revive the agreement. In 2018, the former president, Donald Trump, withdrew the US from the agreement, which Biden, the current president, is working to revive. Joe Biden claims it to be a way of stopping Iran from developing nuclear bombs. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'The situation in Iran is extremely serious’: Rishi Sunak says attack on Rushdie, a wake-up call for the West

Reports say a European Union proposal to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal “can be acceptable if it provides assurances" on Tehran's key demands. This comes as tensions continue to soar between Washington and Tehran. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

WION Fineprint: Can the world powers salvage the Iran nuclear deal?

Iran and the United States have been enemies for a long time now but in the recent days, the tensions have exploded from the nuclear deal to an alleged killing plot.

Can world powers salvage the nuclear deal? | Tehran slams Washington's 'Iranophobia'

For over 30 years, celebrated author Salman Rushdie has been covering his life ever since Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against him following the publication of his controversial book ‘The Satanic Verses’, which was found to be blasphemous by the Muslims.

Friday’s knife attack in New York brings back the focus on the book and what led to the death threats made against the Indian-born author.

The Satanic Verses and controversy 

The book was published in September 1988 and immediately stoked controversy around the world and among the Muslim community.

Several Muslim countries immediately banned the book, which was also&nbsp;burned during demonstrations in the UK, Pakistan and elsewhere. The book is still banned in a number of countries including UAE, India, and Egypt.

The book is considered by many Muslims to be blasphemous as it portrayed a fictionalised version of the Prophet Mohammed and an interpretation of the Quran.

It has references to some Quran verses, as alleged by some scholars, that allow for prayers to be made to three pagan goddesses, contrary to Islam’s strict belief that there is only one God.

In the novel, Rushdie mentions the involvement of a prophet closely resembling the founder of Islam, Muhammad.

In that, he says that this prophet is tricked into striking a deal with Satan in which he exchanges some of his monotheistic dogmatism in favour of the three goddesses. He then realises his error.

Khomeini and others assert he had portrayed the prophet irreverently.

The fatwa

Iran’s Khomeini issued a fatwa ordering on Feb. 14, 1989, ordering Muslims to kill Rushdie.

According to history.com, a fatwa can only be repealed by that same scholar, and Ruhollah Khomeini died in the same year he issued the call.

The then Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi banned the import of the book in October 1988, hoping to win Muslim support ahead of elections. Some 20 countries went on to ban it.

Attacks on translators and publishers 

‘The Satanic Verses’ has also caused trouble for those who translated the novel.

Ettore Capriolo, the Italian translator of the novel, was injured in a stabbing in Milan in 1991.

A Japanese scholar and translator of Rushdie’s novel, Hitoshi Igarashi, was stabbed to death in 1991.

William Nygaard, the Norwegian publisher of the book, was shot three times in Oslo in 1993, but managed to survive.

After the fatwa

Rushdie went into hiding for 10 years under an alias. He was living in UK at the time. He was also given 24-hour police protection by former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher’s government.

Rushdie gradually emerged from his underground life in 1991.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/police-identify-man-who-stabbed-salman-rushdie-suspect-has-sympathies-toward-iranian-government-506375" hreflang="en">Salman Rushdie on ventilator after attack, police identify man who stabbed him</a>

By 1998, Iran’s reformist government under president Mohammad Khatami assured Britain that Iran would not implement the fatwa.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/salman-rushdies-attacker-who-is-hadi-matar-506379" hreflang="en">Salman Rushdie's attacker: Who is Hadi Matar?</a>

But in 2015, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Khomeini’s successor, said that he still believed Rushdie was an apostate whose killing would be authorised by Islam.

(With inputs from agencies)

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For over 30 years, celebrated author Salman Rushdie has been covering his life ever since Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against him following the publication of his controversial book ‘The Satanic Verses’, which was found to be blasphemous by the Muslims.

For over 30 years, celebrated author Salman Rushdie has been covering his life ever since Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa against him following the publication of his controversial book ‘The Satanic Verses’, which was found to be blasphemous by the Muslims. Friday’s knife attack in New York brings back the focus on the book and what led to the death threats made against the Indian-born author. The Satanic Verses and controversy The book was published in September 1988 and immediately stoked controversy around the world and among the Muslim community. Several Muslim countries immediately banned the book, which was also burned during demonstrations in the UK, Pakistan and elsewhere. The book is still banned in a number of countries including UAE, India, and Egypt. The book is considered by many Muslims to be blasphemous as it portrayed a fictionalised version of the Prophet Mohammed and an interpretation of the Quran. It has references to some Quran verses, as alleged by some scholars, that allow for prayers to be made to three pagan goddesses, contrary to Islam’s strict belief that there is only one God. In the novel, Rushdie mentions the involvement of a prophet closely resembling the founder of Islam, Muhammad. In that, he says that this prophet is tricked into striking a deal with Satan in which he exchanges some of his monotheistic dogmatism in favour of the three goddesses. He then realises his error. Khomeini and others assert he had portrayed the prophet irreverently. The fatwa Iran’s Khomeini issued a fatwa ordering on Feb. 14, 1989, ordering Muslims to kill Rushdie. According to history.com, a fatwa can only be repealed by that same scholar, and Ruhollah Khomeini died in the same year he issued the call. The then Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi banned the import of the book in October 1988, hoping to win Muslim support ahead of elections. Some 20 countries went on to ban it. Attacks on translators and publishers ‘The Satanic Verses’ has also caused trouble for those who translated the novel. Ettore Capriolo, the Italian translator of the novel, was injured in a stabbing in Milan in 1991. A Japanese scholar and translator of Rushdie’s novel, Hitoshi Igarashi, was stabbed to death in 1991. William Nygaard, the Norwegian publisher of the book, was shot three times in Oslo in 1993, but managed to survive. After the fatwa Rushdie went into hiding for 10 years under an alias. He was living in UK at the time. He was also given 24-hour police protection by former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher’s government. Rushdie gradually emerged from his underground life in 1991. Also read | Salman Rushdie on ventilator after attack, police identify man who stabbed him By 1998, Iran’s reformist government under president Mohammad Khatami assured Britain that Iran would not implement the fatwa. Also read | Salman Rushdie's attacker: Who is Hadi Matar? But in 2015, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Khomeini’s successor, said that he still believed Rushdie was an apostate whose killing would be authorised by Islam. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Why was Salman Rushdie attacked and what is the controversy surrounding ‘The Satanic Verses’?

Iran's official news agency IRNA on Friday (August 12) suggested that Tehran may accept the final compromise worked out in Vienna to save the 2015 nuclear agreement.&nbsp;

Quoting a senior (unidentified) Iranian diplomat, the news agency stated that a European Union proposal to revive the deal "can be acceptable if it provides assurances" on Tehran's key demands.&nbsp;

"The European Union's proposals are acceptable provided that they provide assurances to Iran on various points, related to sanctions and safeguards," IRNA said.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/frankly-irresponsible-zelensky-asks-officials-to-stop-sharing-ukraines-military-tactics-506237">'Frankly irresponsible': Zelensky asks officials to stop sharing Ukraine's military tactics</a>&nbsp;

It added that the assurances must also be provided on pending issues with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).&nbsp;

At Friday prayers in the capital Tehran, Kazem Seddiqi said, "We insist on getting the necessary guarantees, the lifting of sanctions and verification, and if this is achieved, then our negotiating team will tell the people that sanctions have been lifted thanks to your resistance and power."&nbsp;

The nuclear deal was signed in 2015 and Iran agreed to a pact with six major powers to limit its nuclear program. It was harder for Iran to obtain a weapon in return for relief from economic sanctions.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-backs-indias-call-for-urgent-un-security-council-reforms-506169">France backs India’s call for ‘urgent’ UN Security Council reforms</a>&nbsp;

But former US President Donald Trump reneged on the deal in 2018 and reimposed harsh sanctions on Iran. Trump's decision led Tehran to start violating the agreement's nuclear limits about a year later.&nbsp;

The ongoing EU-coordinated negotiations to revive the JCPOA started in April 2021. However, it came to a standstill in March.&nbsp;

In the latest development, the EU said on Tuesday that it expected Tehran and Washington to "very quickly" respond to a "final" text aimed at salvaging the 2015 deal.&nbsp;

Although Tehran denies it, but reports have stated that Iran is already enriching uranium to up to 60% fissile purity.

The level is far above a cap of 3.67% set under the now tattered nuclear deal which was signed in 2015. Uranium enriched to 90% is suitable for a nuclear bomb.&nbsp;

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Iran's official news agency IRNA on Friday (August 12) suggested that Tehran may accept the final compromise worked out in Vienna to save the 2015 nuclear agreement.

Iran's official news agency IRNA on Friday (August 12) suggested that Tehran may accept the final compromise worked out in Vienna to save the 2015 nuclear agreement. Quoting a senior (unidentified) Iranian diplomat, the news agency stated that a European Union proposal to revive the deal "can be acceptable if it provides assurances" on Tehran's key demands. "The European Union's proposals are acceptable provided that they provide assurances to Iran on various points, related to sanctions and safeguards," IRNA said. ALSO READ | 'Frankly irresponsible': Zelensky asks officials to stop sharing Ukraine's military tactics It added that the assurances must also be provided on pending issues with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). At Friday prayers in the capital Tehran, Kazem Seddiqi said, "We insist on getting the necessary guarantees, the lifting of sanctions and verification, and if this is achieved, then our negotiating team will tell the people that sanctions have been lifted thanks to your resistance and power." The nuclear deal was signed in 2015 and Iran agreed to a pact with six major powers to limit its nuclear program. It was harder for Iran to obtain a weapon in return for relief from economic sanctions. ALSO READ | France backs India’s call for ‘urgent’ UN Security Council reforms But former US President Donald Trump reneged on the deal in 2018 and reimposed harsh sanctions on Iran. Trump's decision led Tehran to start violating the agreement's nuclear limits about a year later. The ongoing EU-coordinated negotiations to revive the JCPOA started in April 2021. However, it came to a standstill in March. In the latest development, the EU said on Tuesday that it expected Tehran and Washington to "very quickly" respond to a "final" text aimed at salvaging the 2015 deal. Although Tehran denies it, but reports have stated that Iran is already enriching uranium to up to 60% fissile purity. The level is far above a cap of 3.67% set under the now tattered nuclear deal which was signed in 2015. Uranium enriched to 90% is suitable for a nuclear bomb. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iran may accept compromise on nuclear deal, hints state news agency

A day after the plot to assassinate former US National security adviser John Bolton was revealed by the Department of Justice, the conservative leader remarked that he was not particularly impressed by the low price offered for his killing.

A day after the plot to assassinate former US National security adviser John Bolton was revealed by the Department of Justice, the conservative leader remarked that he was not particularly impressed by the low price offered for his killing. When asked what went through his head after hearing the detailed plot disclosed by the Justice Department, Bolton took a rather witty way out to answer. “Well, I was embarrassed at the low price. I thought it would’ve been higher. But I guess maybe it was the exchange rate problem or something,” Bolton quipped in an interview with CNN. Read more: To avenge Soleimani's killing, Iran planned an assassination attempt to kill former US NSA As reported by WION, on Wednesday, the DoJ stated that an Iranian military operative named Shahram Poursafi alias Mehdi Rezayi had been booked for the assassination plot. Reportedly, Poursafi, a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had offered $300,000 to an individual in the US to kill Bolton. The money was offered in the backdrop of the US military conducting an airstrike in 2020 which killed General Qasem Soleimani, Iran's top military commander at the time. WATCH: US charges Iranian man for trying to assassinate John Bolton × It is believed that it was Bolton who engineered USA's 'maximum pressure' strategy during his 17-months tenure as the top Trump aide. During the Republican leader's reign, America applied tough economic sanctions on Iran and even walked out of the nuclear deal, which the current Biden administration is looking to revive. Naturally, after Trump, Bolton became the prime target of the Iranians. Moreover, a day after the revelation, some experts are questioning the integrity of the Justice Department as well as the Biden administration for not having released the threat report earlier. Reportedly, the final text of the Iran nuclear deal was discussed a few days earlier in Vienna. Meanwhile, the plot to kill Bolton had been in the works since 2020. Thus, questions are being raised about whether the DoJ kept mum all this time to give the Biden administration time to tie the loose ends of the nuclear deal. Speaking about the negotiation in Vienna, Bolton slammed the Biden government and stated that any attempt to appease 'Tehran' will only encourage threats against US officials. Read more: Risk of another 9/11-style attack on US very real: Former NSA John Bolton to WION (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

John Bolton not amused by the 'low price' offered for his assassination; calls it 'embarrassing'

United States says that it has uncovered an Iranian plot to kill former White House National Security Adviser John Bolton. The U.S. Justice Department has charged a member of Iran's elite revolutionary guard corps in the case.

US says it has uncovered an Iranian plot to kill former NSA John Bolton

The US Department of Justice charged an Iranian man on Wednesday with plotting to assassinate former President Donald Trump’s national security advisor John Bolton.

US charges Iranian man for trying to assassinate John Bolton

An Iranian military operative named Shahram Poursafi alias Mehdi Rezayi has been charged by the US Department of Justice for plotting to assassinate&nbsp;John Bolton, the national security advisor to&nbsp;former Republican President Donald Trump.

Reportedly,&nbsp;Poursafi, a member of&nbsp;the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had offered $300,000 to an individual in the US to kill Bolton. The money was offered in the backdrop of the US military conducting an airstrike in 2020 which killed General Qasem Soleimani, Iran's top military commander at the time.&nbsp;

According to court documents, in October 2021, Poursafi contacted an unidentified US individual, wanting to commission photographs of Bolton. The said individual referred&nbsp;Poursafi to another contact who was then asked to execute the task of killing the top US leader.&nbsp;

After the indictment, Bolton released a statement saying, “While much cannot be said publicly right now, one point is indisputable: Iran’s rulers are liars, terrorists, and enemies of the United States."

If&nbsp;Poursafi is caught and convicted of the murder-for-hire plot, he could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

WATCH: WION Exclusive with former United States NSA John Bolton

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As reported extensively by WION, the&nbsp;surprise drone killing of Soleimani, the architect of Iran's modern military strategy, had sent shock waves across the region and sparked fears of a direct military confrontation between decades-old arch enemies Washington and Tehran.

It is believed that it was Bolton who engineered USA's&nbsp;'maximum pressure' strategy during his 17-months tenure as the top Trump aide.&nbsp;

During Trump's reign, America applied tough economic sanctions on Iran and even walked out of the nuclear deal, which the current Biden administration is looking to revive.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/risk-of-another-911-style-attack-on-us-very-real-former-nsa-john-bolton-to-wion-415498">Risk of another 9/11-style attack on US very real: Former NSA John Bolton to WION</a>

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

An Iranian military operative named Shahram Poursafi alias Mehdi Rezayi has been charged by the US Department of Justice for plotting to assassinate John Bolton, the national security advisor to former Republican President Donald Trump.

An Iranian military operative named Shahram Poursafi alias Mehdi Rezayi has been charged by the US Department of Justice for plotting to assassinate John Bolton, the national security advisor to former Republican President Donald Trump. Reportedly, Poursafi, a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had offered $300,000 to an individual in the US to kill Bolton. The money was offered in the backdrop of the US military conducting an airstrike in 2020 which killed General Qasem Soleimani, Iran's top military commander at the time. According to court documents, in October 2021, Poursafi contacted an unidentified US individual, wanting to commission photographs of Bolton. The said individual referred Poursafi to another contact who was then asked to execute the task of killing the top US leader. After the indictment, Bolton released a statement saying, “While much cannot be said publicly right now, one point is indisputable: Iran’s rulers are liars, terrorists, and enemies of the United States." If Poursafi is caught and convicted of the murder-for-hire plot, he could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. WATCH: WION Exclusive with former United States NSA John Bolton × As reported extensively by WION, the surprise drone killing of Soleimani, the architect of Iran's modern military strategy, had sent shock waves across the region and sparked fears of a direct military confrontation between decades-old arch enemies Washington and Tehran. It is believed that it was Bolton who engineered USA's 'maximum pressure' strategy during his 17-months tenure as the top Trump aide. During Trump's reign, America applied tough economic sanctions on Iran and even walked out of the nuclear deal, which the current Biden administration is looking to revive. Read more: Risk of another 9/11-style attack on US very real: Former NSA John Bolton to WION (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

To avenge Soleimani's killing, Iran planned an assassination attempt to kill former US NSA

Russia’s Soyuz rocket launched an Iranian satellite called Khayyam from Baikonur launch site in Kazakhstan. In other news, leading candidates for Britain’s prime minister, Foreign Minister Liz Truss, and former finance minister Rishi Sunak have said they would both be willing to serve on the other’s cabinet in the case of a loss. In another news, China recorded 1,094 Covid cases on August 9, amongst which 444 were symptomatic and 650 are asymptomatic. Finally, a year after the US withdrew from Afghanistan, allowing the Taliban to seize power and causing a destabilising refugee crisis, a bipartisan bill has been introduced in both houses of the US Congress for.

Click on the headlines to read more:

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/russias-soyuz-rocket-blasts-off-with-iranian-satellite-from-kazakhstan-505381">Russia's Soyuz rocket blasts off with Iranian satellite from Kazakhstan</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/08/10/286195-untitled-design-1.png" />

Hailing the satellite launch as ''an important milestone in Russian-Iranian bilateral cooperation'', Russian space chief Yury Borisov said ''it will open the way to the implementation of new and even larger projects.''

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/both-truss-sunak-willing-to-serve-on-the-others-cabinet-in-case-of-loss-505375">Both Truss, Sunak willing to serve on the other’s cabinet in case of loss</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/08/10/286192-untitled-design.png" />

Both Truss and Sunak highlighted they would put aside their differences and work under each other's leadership.

Truss and Sunak are the leading candidates to replace Boris Johnson as Britain's prime minister and the decision regarding the final choice will be made on September 5.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-1094-new-covid-cases-on-august-9-increase-from-939-cases-day-earlier-505379">China reports 1,094 new Covid cases on August 9, increase from 939 cases day earlier</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/08/10/286194-2022-08-10t012005z2lynxmpei7901drtroptp4health-coronavirus-china-hainan.JPG" />

According to the National Health Commission's announcement on Wednesday, China reported 1,094 new cases of coronavirus for August 9, of which 444 were symptomatic and 650 were asymptomatic. The country's death toll remained at 5,226 due to no additional deaths. There were 232,109 confirmed cases with symptoms in mainland China as of August 9.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-year-after-it-abandoned-afghanistan-us-introduces-bill-to-give-thousands-of-afghans-path-to-citizenship-505365">A year after it abandoned Afghanistan, US introduces bill to give thousands of Afghans path to citizenship</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/08/10/286184-new-wion-18.png" />

&nbsp;bipartisan bill has been submitted in both houses of the US Congress, a year after the US withdrew from Afghanistan, allowing the Taliban to seize power and sparking a catastrophic refugee crisis. With the passage of this Act, thousands of Afghan evacuees who were previously granted temporary immigration status will now have a clear road to citizenship.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;India mulls possibility of a single charger for all devices

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Russia’s Soyuz rocket launched an Iranian satellite called Khayyam from Baikonur launch site in Kazakhstan. In other news, leading candidates for Britain’s prime minister, Foreign Minister Liz Truss, and former finance minister Rishi Sunak have said they would both be willing to serve on the other’s cabinet in the case of a loss.

Russia’s Soyuz rocket launched an Iranian satellite called Khayyam from Baikonur launch site in Kazakhstan. In other news, leading candidates for Britain’s prime minister, Foreign Minister Liz Truss, and former finance minister Rishi Sunak have said they would both be willing to serve on the other’s cabinet in the case of a loss. In another news, China recorded 1,094 Covid cases on August 9, amongst which 444 were symptomatic and 650 are asymptomatic. Finally, a year after the US withdrew from Afghanistan, allowing the Taliban to seize power and causing a destabilising refugee crisis, a bipartisan bill has been introduced in both houses of the US Congress for. Click on the headlines to read more: Russia's Soyuz rocket blasts off with Iranian satellite from Kazakhstan Hailing the satellite launch as ''an important milestone in Russian-Iranian bilateral cooperation'', Russian space chief Yury Borisov said ''it will open the way to the implementation of new and even larger projects.'' Both Truss, Sunak willing to serve on the other’s cabinet in case of loss Both Truss and Sunak highlighted they would put aside their differences and work under each other's leadership. Truss and Sunak are the leading candidates to replace Boris Johnson as Britain's prime minister and the decision regarding the final choice will be made on September 5. China reports 1,094 new Covid cases on August 9, increase from 939 cases day earlier According to the National Health Commission's announcement on Wednesday, China reported 1,094 new cases of coronavirus for August 9, of which 444 were symptomatic and 650 were asymptomatic. The country's death toll remained at 5,226 due to no additional deaths. There were 232,109 confirmed cases with symptoms in mainland China as of August 9. A year after it abandoned Afghanistan, US introduces bill to give thousands of Afghans path to citizenship bipartisan bill has been submitted in both houses of the US Congress, a year after the US withdrew from Afghanistan, allowing the Taliban to seize power and sparking a catastrophic refugee crisis. With the passage of this Act, thousands of Afghan evacuees who were previously granted temporary immigration status will now have a clear road to citizenship. Watch | India mulls possibility of a single charger for all devices

Morning news brief: Russia’s rocket launches Iranian satellite, Covid in China & more

Iran is the latest country to use cryptos which is currently reeling under impact of economic sanctions by the U.S. The Iranian government has placed its first import order using cryptocurrency. It's a move that can actually enable Islamic Republic to circumvent the use of U.S dollars for global trade.

Iran adopts cryptocurrency, imports order worth $10 million

Iranian authorities have launched a sweeping crackdown on its Baha'i community. The authorities have sealed off the village of Roshankouh, , where a large number of Baha’is live, and used heavy earthmoving equipment to demolish their homes.

Reports: Iran seals Roshankouh village with Baha'i residents

The latest round of talks on the revival of the Iran nuclear deal or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) ended in Vienna on August 8, with all parties returning back to their respective capitals for ‘political consultations’. The talks were convened as a part of one last-ditch effort by Josep Borrell, EU’s high representative along with the lead Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani in yet another bid to revive the deal. Earlier too, eight rounds of talks in Vienna since April 2021 did not yield any positive results. It may be recalled that the Iran Nuclear Deal was revoked unilaterally by the US under President Trump in May 2018, calling it the “most horrible deal ever”. Talks to revive the deal and restore the JCPOA began in right earnest only in April 2021, soon after Joe Biden took over as the US president. At the end of the eighth round of talks in January 2022, the talks were paused for participants ‘go back to capitals for consultations’. In addition to the Vienna talks, there was also a round of indirect talks hosted at Doha on 28-29 June, which too failed to deliver despite initial positive messaging from both sides.

Politically, neither Iran nor the US look to budge from their stand on critical issues. There are basically two key sticking points to the nuclear deal; first is a sovereign assurance sought from the US by Iran that America will not unilaterally revoke the deal in future, and secondly, all economic sanctions imposed under “false excuses” must be lifted. It is also seeking that IRGC should be delisted from the list of foreign terrorist organizations. On all these issues, the US is not ready to concede yet. Any hopes of an early resolution were dashed by the IAEA's June 6 resolution formally criticising Iran for a lack of cooperation and failure to explain uranium traces found at undeclared sites in Iran. On the same day, the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC), a group of countries led by the US and Gulf nations, sanctioned three individuals associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) on terror financing. In an almost immediate response, Iran started removing surveillance cameras from nuclear sites in the country, rendering the IAEA blind to nuclear activities in the Iranian plants.

Why is JCPOA important?

JCPOA, signed on July 14, 2015, and effective from January 2016, was a landmark deal, negotiated over five years between Iran and P5 plus1. It was an ‘instrument of faith’ between the two parties with strict checks and balances which was aimed to ensure that a strict vigil was kept on Iran’s nuclear program, lest Iran develops a nuclear weapon and at the same time, tough and crippling economic sanctions against Iran were to be revoked giving Iran the much needed economic relief. It was a win-win situation for both parties. Scaling down of the nuclear program by Iran coupled with strict monitoring by IAEA ensured that the delicate security and geopolitical balance in the region was not altered. Similarly, Iran was able to again commence its crude oil and natural gas trade and also invite global investments to prop its economy. With the US scaling down its active involvement in military conflicts in the West Asian region and Afghanistan under President Obama, it was necessary to ensure that the potential nuclear threat from Iran was contained and thus JCPOA was clearly a very critical and important deal towards that goal.

What happened to JCPOA?

Iran was sincere towards the implementation of the JCPOA and did everything that was required of it. Under the deal, Iran could not operate more than 5,000 first-generation IR-1 centrifuges to enrich uranium, that too, only up-to to 3.67 per cent. All uranium enriched to 20 per cent was to be scrapped or shipped out, the core of its Heavy Water Plant at Arak was to be demobilised and most importantly, Iran agreed to ‘anywhere, anytime’ inspections of its nuclear facilities by the IAEA and UN inspectors. Iran stuck to the deal and on 16th January 2016, designated as the Implementation Day, the IAEA verified that Iran had met its all nuclear related commitments, triggering the lifting of sanctions on Iran.

Despite former US president Trump unilaterally pulling out of the deal in May 2018, Iran continued compliance till March 6, 2019, the last time that IAEA reported that Iran was implementing all its nuclear-related commitments. The US designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran as a Foreign Terrorist Organization on April 8, 2019, was a trigger which was followed immediately by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announcing on April 9 that Iran will install a cascade of 20 IR-6 centrifuges at Natanz. There has been no stopping thereafter in Iran scaling up its nuclear program.

How is Iran making the nuclear deal irrelevant?

As far as Iran is concerned, three things are vitally important to it; firstly is the removal of economic sanctions which are hurting it badly, secondly is its right towards a peaceful nuclear program meant for ‘medical research and other peaceful uses’, and thirdly is safeguarding its own role and standing in the region as a major regional power.

Of all these, the economy is perhaps the most important and Iran has been steadily working on working around the sanctions over the years. Its 25-year strategic partnership with China offers a large assured market of oil as well as non-oil trade. The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, too, has provided an opportunity for Iran. Both Russia and China have joined forces and have challenged the western-oriented Dollar trade system based on SWIFT clearance system and have proposed their own trade system. India too announced a sovereign international trade clearing system based on Rupee payment in July 2022. With Iran enjoying close ties with each of these nations, such alternate systems open up great trade opportunities for Iran. This, when seen in the context of the ongoing US-China standoff, India exercising its sovereign choices to buy oil from Russia (and possibly from Iran) and Turkey recently announcing that it will pay Russia in Rubles for natural gas, provide a perfect opportunity for Iran to leverage it and join alternate payment systems and mutual arrangements with these countries to bypass sanctions. Also, with Syria under President Assad stabilizing politically and Iraq heavily under Iran's influence, oil exports through these countries provide additional revenue to Iran. It is perhaps due to this and more loopholes being exploited by Iran that the US Treasury, on 02nd August announced sanctions against UAE and HK-based companies accused of facilitating the sale and transfer of Iranian petrochemical products. On the same day, a media report quoted United Against a Nuclear Iran (UANI), a watchdog group that tracks Iran's network of illegal oil tankers, stating that Iran’s export revenues between March 2021 and March 2022 from oil, gas, and related products totalled $39 billion, compared to $22 billion for the previous year, a rise of 77 per cent and an extra $17 billion, with exports primarily to China and Syria. Iran is therefore slowly and steadily working around economic sanctions imposed by the US.

The second issue is the nuclear enrichment program. Iran commenced nuclear enrichment beyond the stipulated limits of JCPOA in April 2019. Later, on 02nd December 2021, Iran's Guardian Council approved the legislation mandating the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran to increase enrichment levels to 20 per cent and to suspend implementation of the Additional Protocol in 60 days if sanctions are not addressed. On 13th April this year, soon after a cyber-attack on the Natanz nuclear plant, Iran announced its intention to enrich uranium to 60 per cent. A resolution adopted by the IAEA on 06th June formally criticizing Iran for a lack of cooperation with it prompted Iran to switch off surveillance cameras resulting in the IAEA having no information on the progress of nuclear enrichment in Iranian plants. Most recently, on 02nd August, Iran announced its plans for further enrichment and stockpiling after the US announced sanctions on companies of UAE and Hong Kong for petrochemical trade with Iran. IR6 centrifuges are enriching uranium at a fast pace and with 27 surveillance cameras switched off, IAEA and the world is virtually blind to Iran’s nuclear activities. With each passing day, Iran is close to stockpiling enough ‘Highly Enriched Uranium’ to produce a nuclear weapon, if it so wants.

Last is the issue of geopolitical alignments in the region. Here too, Iran has been carefully forging new ties. The GCC-Qatar standoff in June 2017 brought Qatar closer to Iran. Turkey too is realigning ties with Iran with President Raisi calling the Turkish president’s visit to Tehran in July this year an "important turning point" in improving the relations between the two neighbouring countries. With Saudi Arabia, there have been five rounds of talks, mediated by Iraq, and there were recent reports of both foreign ministers likely to meet soon. The Yemen ceasefire is holding off since Ramadan, an important factor in ties with Saudi Arabia. With UAE, too, there has been a marked progress. UAE recently announced the return of its ambassador to Tehran, and in December 2021, UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Tehran, signalling an approach to the normalisation of ties. Although it is too premature to say that Iran would be accepted as a trustworthy partner in the largely Sunni Arab world, but new emerging dynamics maybe be beneficial to Iran in the long run.

Conclusion

For P5 plus 1, the Iran nuclear deal is very important. It gives them and the world an effective control who can watch over suspected Iran’s nuclear weapons program. For Iran, on the other hand, the nuclear deal has now become more of a bargaining chip for issues which transcend the limited context of the nuclear program. Each passing day is making it more and more difficult for the deal to be revived. The world will perhaps one day rue the manner in which former US president Trump blew up the deal and virtually let Iran off the hook. Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, at the conclusion of the Vienna talks on August 8 said, “What can be negotiated has been negotiated, and it’s now in a final text.” The deal is clearly now more than mere technicalities and requires political decision making at the highest level&nbsp;at both ends. Meanwhile, Iran is merrily chugging along, making sure that deal or no deal&nbsp;it is doing enough to safeguard its interests.

The latest round of talks on the revival of the Iran nuclear deal or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) ended in Vienna on August 8, with all parties returning back to their respective capitals for ‘political consultations’.

The latest round of talks on the revival of the Iran nuclear deal or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) ended in Vienna on August 8, with all parties returning back to their respective capitals for ‘political consultations’. The talks were convened as a part of one last-ditch effort by Josep Borrell, EU’s high representative along with the lead Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani in yet another bid to revive the deal. Earlier too, eight rounds of talks in Vienna since April 2021 did not yield any positive results. It may be recalled that the Iran Nuclear Deal was revoked unilaterally by the US under President Trump in May 2018, calling it the “most horrible deal ever”. Talks to revive the deal and restore the JCPOA began in right earnest only in April 2021, soon after Joe Biden took over as the US president. At the end of the eighth round of talks in January 2022, the talks were paused for participants ‘go back to capitals for consultations’. In addition to the Vienna talks, there was also a round of indirect talks hosted at Doha on 28-29 June, which too failed to deliver despite initial positive messaging from both sides. Politically, neither Iran nor the US look to budge from their stand on critical issues. There are basically two key sticking points to the nuclear deal; first is a sovereign assurance sought from the US by Iran that America will not unilaterally revoke the deal in future, and secondly, all economic sanctions imposed under “false excuses” must be lifted. It is also seeking that IRGC should be delisted from the list of foreign terrorist organizations. On all these issues, the US is not ready to concede yet. Any hopes of an early resolution were dashed by the IAEA's June 6 resolution formally criticising Iran for a lack of cooperation and failure to explain uranium traces found at undeclared sites in Iran. On the same day, the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC), a group of countries led by the US and Gulf nations, sanctioned three individuals associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) on terror financing. In an almost immediate response, Iran started removing surveillance cameras from nuclear sites in the country, rendering the IAEA blind to nuclear activities in the Iranian plants. Why is JCPOA important? JCPOA, signed on July 14, 2015, and effective from January 2016, was a landmark deal, negotiated over five years between Iran and P5 plus1. It was an ‘instrument of faith’ between the two parties with strict checks and balances which was aimed to ensure that a strict vigil was kept on Iran’s nuclear program, lest Iran develops a nuclear weapon and at the same time, tough and crippling economic sanctions against Iran were to be revoked giving Iran the much needed economic relief. It was a win-win situation for both parties. Scaling down of the nuclear program by Iran coupled with strict monitoring by IAEA ensured that the delicate security and geopolitical balance in the region was not altered. Similarly, Iran was able to again commence its crude oil and natural gas trade and also invite global investments to prop its economy. With the US scaling down its active involvement in military conflicts in the West Asian region and Afghanistan under President Obama, it was necessary to ensure that the potential nuclear threat from Iran was contained and thus JCPOA was clearly a very critical and important deal towards that goal. What happened to JCPOA? Iran was sincere towards the implementation of the JCPOA and did everything that was required of it. Under the deal, Iran could not operate more than 5,000 first-generation IR-1 centrifuges to enrich uranium, that too, only up-to to 3.67 per cent. All uranium enriched to 20 per cent was to be scrapped or shipped out, the core of its Heavy Water Plant at Arak was to be demobilised and most importantly, Iran agreed to ‘anywhere, anytime’ inspections of its nuclear facilities by the IAEA and UN inspectors. Iran stuck to the deal and on 16th January 2016, designated as the Implementation Day, the IAEA verified that Iran had met its all nuclear related commitments, triggering the lifting of sanctions on Iran. Despite former US president Trump unilaterally pulling out of the deal in May 2018, Iran continued compliance till March 6, 2019, the last time that IAEA reported that Iran was implementing all its nuclear-related commitments. The US designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran as a Foreign Terrorist Organization on April 8, 2019, was a trigger which was followed immediately by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announcing on April 9 that Iran will install a cascade of 20 IR-6 centrifuges at Natanz. There has been no stopping thereafter in Iran scaling up its nuclear program. How is Iran making the nuclear deal irrelevant? As far as Iran is concerned, three things are vitally important to it; firstly is the removal of economic sanctions which are hurting it badly, secondly is its right towards a peaceful nuclear program meant for ‘medical research and other peaceful uses’, and thirdly is safeguarding its own role and standing in the region as a major regional power. Of all these, the economy is perhaps the most important and Iran has been steadily working on working around the sanctions over the years. Its 25-year strategic partnership with China offers a large assured market of oil as well as non-oil trade. The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, too, has provided an opportunity for Iran. Both Russia and China have joined forces and have challenged the western-oriented Dollar trade system based on SWIFT clearance system and have proposed their own trade system. India too announced a sovereign international trade clearing system based on Rupee payment in July 2022. With Iran enjoying close ties with each of these nations, such alternate systems open up great trade opportunities for Iran. This, when seen in the context of the ongoing US-China standoff, India exercising its sovereign choices to buy oil from Russia (and possibly from Iran) and Turkey recently announcing that it will pay Russia in Rubles for natural gas, provide a perfect opportunity for Iran to leverage it and join alternate payment systems and mutual arrangements with these countries to bypass sanctions. Also, with Syria under President Assad stabilizing politically and Iraq heavily under Iran's influence, oil exports through these countries provide additional revenue to Iran. It is perhaps due to this and more loopholes being exploited by Iran that the US Treasury, on 02nd August announced sanctions against UAE and HK-based companies accused of facilitating the sale and transfer of Iranian petrochemical products. On the same day, a media report quoted United Against a Nuclear Iran (UANI), a watchdog group that tracks Iran's network of illegal oil tankers, stating that Iran’s export revenues between March 2021 and March 2022 from oil, gas, and related products totalled $39 billion, compared to $22 billion for the previous year, a rise of 77 per cent and an extra $17 billion, with exports primarily to China and Syria. Iran is therefore slowly and steadily working around economic sanctions imposed by the US. The second issue is the nuclear enrichment program. Iran commenced nuclear enrichment beyond the stipulated limits of JCPOA in April 2019. Later, on 02nd December 2021, Iran's Guardian Council approved the legislation mandating the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran to increase enrichment levels to 20 per cent and to suspend implementation of the Additional Protocol in 60 days if sanctions are not addressed. On 13th April this year, soon after a cyber-attack on the Natanz nuclear plant, Iran announced its intention to enrich uranium to 60 per cent. A resolution adopted by the IAEA on 06th June formally criticizing Iran for a lack of cooperation with it prompted Iran to switch off surveillance cameras resulting in the IAEA having no information on the progress of nuclear enrichment in Iranian plants. Most recently, on 02nd August, Iran announced its plans for further enrichment and stockpiling after the US announced sanctions on companies of UAE and Hong Kong for petrochemical trade with Iran. IR6 centrifuges are enriching uranium at a fast pace and with 27 surveillance cameras switched off, IAEA and the world is virtually blind to Iran’s nuclear activities. With each passing day, Iran is close to stockpiling enough ‘Highly Enriched Uranium’ to produce a nuclear weapon, if it so wants. Last is the issue of geopolitical alignments in the region. Here too, Iran has been carefully forging new ties. The GCC-Qatar standoff in June 2017 brought Qatar closer to Iran. Turkey too is realigning ties with Iran with President Raisi calling the Turkish president’s visit to Tehran in July this year an "important turning point" in improving the relations between the two neighbouring countries. With Saudi Arabia, there have been five rounds of talks, mediated by Iraq, and there were recent reports of both foreign ministers likely to meet soon. The Yemen ceasefire is holding off since Ramadan, an important factor in ties with Saudi Arabia. With UAE, too, there has been a marked progress. UAE recently announced the return of its ambassador to Tehran, and in December 2021, UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Tehran, signalling an approach to the normalisation of ties. Although it is too premature to say that Iran would be accepted as a trustworthy partner in the largely Sunni Arab world, but new emerging dynamics maybe be beneficial to Iran in the long run. Conclusion For P5 plus 1, the Iran nuclear deal is very important. It gives them and the world an effective control who can watch over suspected Iran’s nuclear weapons program. For Iran, on the other hand, the nuclear deal has now become more of a bargaining chip for issues which transcend the limited context of the nuclear program. Each passing day is making it more and more difficult for the deal to be revived. The world will perhaps one day rue the manner in which former US president Trump blew up the deal and virtually let Iran off the hook. Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, at the conclusion of the Vienna talks on August 8 said, “What can be negotiated has been negotiated, and it’s now in a final text.” The deal is clearly now more than mere technicalities and requires political decision making at the highest level at both ends. Meanwhile, Iran is merrily chugging along, making sure that deal or no deal it is doing enough to safeguard its interests.

With JCPOA revival uncertain, Iran is slowly and surely making the nuclear deal irrelevant

Up to 200 Iranian government and local agents have sealed off the village of Roshankouh in the Mazandaran province, where a significant number of Baha'is live, and are using heavy earthmoving equipment to destroy their homes in a cruel escalation just two days after previous attacks on Baha'is throughout Iran.

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A video taken today, 2 August 2022, shows heavy equipment destroying <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bahai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bahai</a> homes in the village of Roushankouh in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iran</a>'s Mazandaran province.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ItsTheirLand?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ItsTheirLand</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BahaiRights?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BahaiRights</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HumanRights?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HumanRights</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZfpRIxUoQr">https://t.co/ZfpRIxUoQr</a> <a href="https://t.co/yTzrNHkYcq">pic.twitter.com/yTzrNHkYcq</a>
— Baha'i International Community (@BahaiBIC) <a href="https://twitter.com/BahaiBIC/status/1554445683972792320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The claims came a day after Iran claimed to have detained six Baha'is on suspicion of spying for Israel. It was the most recent example of the Islamic Republic intensifying its clampdown as a result of pressure from abroad for its broken nuclear agreement. The suspects were connected to the Baha'i centre in Israel, according to a statement from Iran's intelligence ministry, and they had transported and collected information there. The Baha'i sought their release and claimed that the Shiite theocracy in Iran has a long history of persecuting them.

Up to 200 Iranian officials reportedly cordoned off the Baha'i-majority village of Roushankouh in Mazandaran province on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Baha'i International Community. They destroyed some houses and shut off others. The announcement stated that those who attempted to film had their phones seized and that their neighbours were instructed to stay inside and stop capturing photos or videos.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/watch-casper-the-ghostly-octopus-discovered-in-waters-off-hawaii-is-likely-new-specie-505115">WATCH | Casper, the ghostly octopus discovered in waters off Hawaii is likely new species</a>

In Roushankouh, Baha'is have reportedly faced home demolitions in the past, but persecution has gotten worse recently, according to the statement, with over 100 Baha'is either being jailed or having their homes seized. The Universal House of Justice, the Baha'i community's global governing body, has had its headquarters in Haifa, Israel, for many years. Before the establishment of the State of Israel, which the Islamic Republic regards as its main foe in the region, the Baha'i lived there.

(with inputs from agencies)

 
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Up to 200 Iranian government and local agents have sealed off the village of Roshankouh in the Mazandaran province, where a significant number of Baha'is live, and are using heavy earthmoving equipment to destroy their homes in a cruel escalation just two days after previous attacks on Baha'is throughout Iran.

Up to 200 Iranian government and local agents have sealed off the village of Roshankouh in the Mazandaran province, where a significant number of Baha'is live, and are using heavy earthmoving equipment to destroy their homes in a cruel escalation just two days after previous attacks on Baha'is throughout Iran. A video taken today, 2 August 2022, shows heavy equipment destroying #Bahai homes in the village of Roushankouh in #Iran's Mazandaran province.#ItsTheirLand #BahaiRights #HumanRights https://t.co/ZfpRIxUoQr pic.twitter.com/yTzrNHkYcq — Baha'i International Community (@BahaiBIC) August 2, 2022 × The claims came a day after Iran claimed to have detained six Baha'is on suspicion of spying for Israel. It was the most recent example of the Islamic Republic intensifying its clampdown as a result of pressure from abroad for its broken nuclear agreement. The suspects were connected to the Baha'i centre in Israel, according to a statement from Iran's intelligence ministry, and they had transported and collected information there. The Baha'i sought their release and claimed that the Shiite theocracy in Iran has a long history of persecuting them. Up to 200 Iranian officials reportedly cordoned off the Baha'i-majority village of Roushankouh in Mazandaran province on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Baha'i International Community. They destroyed some houses and shut off others. The announcement stated that those who attempted to film had their phones seized and that their neighbours were instructed to stay inside and stop capturing photos or videos. Also Read: WATCH | Casper, the ghostly octopus discovered in waters off Hawaii is likely new species In Roushankouh, Baha'is have reportedly faced home demolitions in the past, but persecution has gotten worse recently, according to the statement, with over 100 Baha'is either being jailed or having their homes seized. The Universal House of Justice, the Baha'i community's global governing body, has had its headquarters in Haifa, Israel, for many years. Before the establishment of the State of Israel, which the Islamic Republic regards as its main foe in the region, the Baha'i lived there. (with inputs from agencies)

WATCH | Iranian government escalates its persecution of Baha'is with brutal home demolitions and land seizures

Officials have once again gathered in Vienna to try and salvage the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. According to the Russian officials, the deal is close and only three or four issues remain needing to be resolved. The European Union officials said that the talks are moving in the right direction.

Vienna talks resume after a 5-month hiatus

A new round of talks aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and the world powers is currently underway in Vienna. As the high stakes talks continue, Iran's foreign minister has now said that the outcome of the ongoing talks depends entirely on Washington's flexibility.

Iran: Success of nuclear talks depends on Washington's flexibility

The European Commission on Friday (August 5) said that Iran and the USA should take ‘one last effort’ to salvage the nuclear deal. The talks to revive the nuclear deal resumed in Vienna on Thursday. The EC said that political decisions were needed to break impasse between Iran and world powers.

“The time has come for one last effort,” spokesperson Peter Stano told a news briefing on Friday, explaining that the EU — as coordinator of the talks — had proposed a new draft text last month because room for additional manoeuvre had been exhausted.

"Clear, decisive political decisions need to be taken by the capitals of the countries involved in the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action)," he said. "So, that's the process that is underway in Vienna. We hope it will lead to results."

The nuclear deal was struck between Iran and world powers in 2015 during the tenure of then US president Barack Obama. In 2018, however, former US president Donald Trump took US out of the deal.&nbsp;

Talks to revive the deal have been going on in Vienna without much of result till now.

AFP quoted an unnamed senior EU official, who said progress was being made on some remaining obstacles. This includes guarantees that the US won't leave the deal by going back on its word.&nbsp;

"We have now quite substantial guarantees," the official said. "It's my understanding that Iran is happy and feels satisfied with what is in the text."

A demand by Tehran that the United States remove the country's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from the State Department's official blacklist of "foreign terrorist organizations" has been dropped from the discussions, the official added. It will instead be handled "in the future" — after the deal.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The European Commission on Friday (August 5) said that Iran and the USA should take ‘one last effort’ to salvage the nuclear deal. The talks to revive the nuclear deal resumed in Vienna on Thursday.

The European Commission on Friday (August 5) said that Iran and the USA should take ‘one last effort’ to salvage the nuclear deal. The talks to revive the nuclear deal resumed in Vienna on Thursday. The EC said that political decisions were needed to break impasse between Iran and world powers. “The time has come for one last effort,” spokesperson Peter Stano told a news briefing on Friday, explaining that the EU — as coordinator of the talks — had proposed a new draft text last month because room for additional manoeuvre had been exhausted. "Clear, decisive political decisions need to be taken by the capitals of the countries involved in the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action)," he said. "So, that's the process that is underway in Vienna. We hope it will lead to results." The nuclear deal was struck between Iran and world powers in 2015 during the tenure of then US president Barack Obama. In 2018, however, former US president Donald Trump took US out of the deal. Talks to revive the deal have been going on in Vienna without much of result till now. AFP quoted an unnamed senior EU official, who said progress was being made on some remaining obstacles. This includes guarantees that the US won't leave the deal by going back on its word. "We have now quite substantial guarantees," the official said. "It's my understanding that Iran is happy and feels satisfied with what is in the text." A demand by Tehran that the United States remove the country's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from the State Department's official blacklist of "foreign terrorist organizations" has been dropped from the discussions, the official added. It will instead be handled "in the future" — after the deal. (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 ×

EU calls for ‘one last effort’ to salvage Iran nuclear deal

Indirect talks between Tehran and Washington have resumed in Vienna which aim to salvage the 2015 Nuclear deal as Iran has refused to hold direct talks with the United States. EU's Enrique Mora is coordinating the talks between the US and Iranian officials.

US: Not going to wait forever for Iran to take this deal

Two weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Tehran, the two nations have announced that Russia will place an Iranian remote sensing satellite into orbit on Tuesday.

The Khayyam satellite will be launched by a Soyuz satellite carrier from the Baikonur space station in Kazakhstan next week, the Iranian space agency announced late Wednesday.

According to the agency, the satellite, which is reportedly named after the Persian polymath Omar Khayyam, was launched in order to "watch the country's borders," improve agricultural production, and keep an eye on water supplies and natural calamities.

The launch is set to take place on Tuesday, according to Roscosmos, the state space corporation of Russia.

It announced that a Soyuz 2.1B rocket would launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on August 9, 2022, "to place the Khayyam remote sensing equipment requested by the Islamic Republic of Iran into orbit."

It said, "The Khayyam device was conceived and produced at businesses that are a part of the state firm Roscosmos.

The announcement of the launch comes after Putin's visit to Iran on July 19, during which he met with President Ebrahim Raisi and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In his discussions with Putin, Khamenei urged strengthening "long-term collaboration" with Russia.

The satellite can capture images of the earth's surface in a variety of picture spectrum, according to Iran's official news agency, IRNA.

The Plesetsk cosmodrome in Russia hosted the launch of Iran's Sina-1 satellite, which was designed to research and observe the Earth.

Putin refuted claims made by US media in June 2021 that Russia will give Iran a sophisticated satellite system that would greatly enhance its eavesdropping capabilities.

<meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-and-us-top-negotiators-to-resume-frayed-nuclear-talks-in-vienna-503326">Iran</a>&nbsp;maintains that its space programme does not violate any other international accord or the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and global powers because it is primarily used for defence and civil objectives.

Western nations are concerned that satellite launch systems contain components that can be used interchangeably in ballistic missiles that can deliver nuclear warheads, something Iran has consistently denied trying to develop.

In April 2020, Iran was able to successfully launch its first military satellite into space, earning the country harsh criticism from the US.

The ideological branch of Iran's armed forces, the Revolutionary Guards, declared in March that Nour-2, a military "reconnaissance satellite," had been successfully launched into orbit

(With inputs from agencies)

Two weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Tehran, the two nations have announced that Russia will place an Iranian remote sensing satellite into orbit on Tuesday.

Two weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Tehran, the two nations have announced that Russia will place an Iranian remote sensing satellite into orbit on Tuesday. The Khayyam satellite will be launched by a Soyuz satellite carrier from the Baikonur space station in Kazakhstan next week, the Iranian space agency announced late Wednesday. According to the agency, the satellite, which is reportedly named after the Persian polymath Omar Khayyam, was launched in order to "watch the country's borders," improve agricultural production, and keep an eye on water supplies and natural calamities. The launch is set to take place on Tuesday, according to Roscosmos, the state space corporation of Russia. It announced that a Soyuz 2.1B rocket would launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on August 9, 2022, "to place the Khayyam remote sensing equipment requested by the Islamic Republic of Iran into orbit." It said, "The Khayyam device was conceived and produced at businesses that are a part of the state firm Roscosmos. The announcement of the launch comes after Putin's visit to Iran on July 19, during which he met with President Ebrahim Raisi and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In his discussions with Putin, Khamenei urged strengthening "long-term collaboration" with Russia. The satellite can capture images of the earth's surface in a variety of picture spectrum, according to Iran's official news agency, IRNA. The Plesetsk cosmodrome in Russia hosted the launch of Iran's Sina-1 satellite, which was designed to research and observe the Earth. Putin refuted claims made by US media in June 2021 that Russia will give Iran a sophisticated satellite system that would greatly enhance its eavesdropping capabilities. Iran maintains that its space programme does not violate any other international accord or the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and global powers because it is primarily used for defence and civil objectives. Western nations are concerned that satellite launch systems contain components that can be used interchangeably in ballistic missiles that can deliver nuclear warheads, something Iran has consistently denied trying to develop. In April 2020, Iran was able to successfully launch its first military satellite into space, earning the country harsh criticism from the US. The ideological branch of Iran's armed forces, the Revolutionary Guards, declared in March that Nour-2, a military "reconnaissance satellite," had been successfully launched into orbit (With inputs from agencies)

Russia to send Iran's satellite into orbit next week

The Biden administration approved two massive arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to help them defend against Iran. Package includes $3 billion in Patriot missiles for Saudi Arabia and more than $2 billion for high-altitude missile defense for UAE.

WION Dispatch: US approves massive $5 BN arms sale to Saudi, UAE to counter Iran

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani said on Wednesday (August 3) that in a statement that it was sending a delegation to Vienna to resume talks to revive the 2015 agreement on its nuclear programme.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanani said on Wednesday (August 3) that in a statement that it was sending a delegation to Vienna to resume talks to revive the 2015 agreement on its nuclear programme. A top nuclear negotiator and a senior US envoy will travel this week. The plan was notified by the officials from both governments as the process that was stalled in June appears to have been rekindled. Kanani said, "As part of the policy of lifting cruel sanctions against our country, Iran's negotiating team led by Ali Bagheri, the Islamic republic's chief negotiator, will leave for Vienna in a few hours." A US official said Rob Malley, who is the US special envoy for Iran, will travel to Vienna for talks this week on reviving the nuclear agreement. The official did not provide any other details. ALSO READ | Biden to sign second executive order to safeguard abortion rights Differences and conflicts between Iran and the United States are the reason why the talks related to the 2015 nuclear deal remained stagnant after the negotiations began in April 2021 in Vienna. The two sides have negotiated indirectly through the European Union coordinator in a bid to bring the US back into the deal and to lift sanctions on Iran, on the basis that Tehran would return to its nuclear commitments. When the deal was signed in 2015, Iran agreed to a pact with six major powers to limit its nuclear program. After the pact, it was harder for Iran to obtain a weapon in return for relief from economic sanctions. In a turn of events, then US President Donald Trump reneged on the deal in 2018 and reimposed harsh sanctions on Iran. The decision by the former US president led Tehran to start violating the agreement's nuclear limits about a year later. ALSO READ | First Ukrainian grain shipment completes checks in Turkey What's the progress of negotiations? At the end of June, Qatar hosted indirect talks between the US and Iran. Last week, the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell submitted a new draft text and urged all sides to accept it or "risk a dangerous nuclear crisis". Borrell is also the coordinator of the nuclear talks between Iran and world powers. Expressing "optimism", Kanani added: In this round of talks, which will take place as before with the coordination of the EU, discussions will be held regarding the ideas presented by the parties including those presented this week by Iran to the other party." The statement added that Iran hoped "the opposing parties will resolve the situation by taking the necessary decisions and seriously focusing on resolving the remaining issues". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Top Iran and US negotiators to resume frayed nuclear talks in Vienna

Amid stall talks over the Iran nuclear deal, capital Tehran announced the activation of hundreds of new generation uranium enrichment centrifuges. The move came in as a response to a new wave of US sanctions on firms that allegedly helped to sell Iranian oil.

Tensions simmer between the US and Iran

Iranian officials have arrested a number of ardent followers of the banned Bahai faith for alleged links to a centre in Israel, and for proselytising in schools and kindergartens.

On Monday, Iran’s intelligence ministry said several of them have been arrested but did not give out further information as to how many were arrested or when the arrests were made.

But the Bahais in Iran, who have been subjected to harassment ever since the inception of the Islamic republic in 1979, claimed that at least dozens of the community members, including three of its former leaders, had been arrested, summoned or subjected to house searches in June and July, reports AFP news agency.

They claimed that these arrests were part of the “government’s escalating persecution of Iran’s Baha’i community.”

The intelligence ministry further said that the detainees “had been carrying out extensive propaganda missions to propagate Baha’i teachings” and to “infiltrate various levels of the educational sector across the country, especially kindergartens.”

It claims they have been promoting a campaign for women's unveiling in Iran.

The ministry accused the community members of spying for a centre in the Israeli port city of Haifa, where a holy Baha’i shrine was built last century.

The Islamic republic recognises minority faiths such as Christianity, Judaism and Zoroastrianism, but does not extend the same recognition to Bahaism, which has an estimated 300,000 followers in Iran.

Iran often makes accusations linking Bahais to Israel, whose northern Haifa city hosts a centre of the Bahai faith. The centre was established following the exile of the Bahai leader just before the State of Israel was established.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Iranian officials have arrested a number of ardent followers of the banned Bahai faith for alleged links to a centre in Israel, and for proselytising in schools and kindergartens.

Iranian officials have arrested a number of ardent followers of the banned Bahai faith for alleged links to a centre in Israel, and for proselytising in schools and kindergartens. On Monday, Iran’s intelligence ministry said several of them have been arrested but did not give out further information as to how many were arrested or when the arrests were made. But the Bahais in Iran, who have been subjected to harassment ever since the inception of the Islamic republic in 1979, claimed that at least dozens of the community members, including three of its former leaders, had been arrested, summoned or subjected to house searches in June and July, reports AFP news agency. They claimed that these arrests were part of the “government’s escalating persecution of Iran’s Baha’i community.” The intelligence ministry further said that the detainees “had been carrying out extensive propaganda missions to propagate Baha’i teachings” and to “infiltrate various levels of the educational sector across the country, especially kindergartens.” It claims they have been promoting a campaign for women's unveiling in Iran. The ministry accused the community members of spying for a centre in the Israeli port city of Haifa, where a holy Baha’i shrine was built last century. The Islamic republic recognises minority faiths such as Christianity, Judaism and Zoroastrianism, but does not extend the same recognition to Bahaism, which has an estimated 300,000 followers in Iran. Iran often makes accusations linking Bahais to Israel, whose northern Haifa city hosts a centre of the Bahai faith. The centre was established following the exile of the Bahai leader just before the State of Israel was established. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Iran cracks down on Bahai followers, intensifies arrests over accusations of Israel links

Iran's atomic energy chief said that the country has the technical capability to produce an atomic bomb but it has no intention to do so. Mohammad Eslami, the head of the country's atomic energy organisation, said this on Monday (August 1) as quoted by the semi-official Fars news agency.

Iran's atomic energy chief said that the country has the technical capability to produce an atomic bomb but it has no intention to do so. Mohammad Eslami, the head of the country's atomic energy organisation, said this on Monday (August 1) as quoted by the semi-official Fars news agency. Eslami's comments were similar to what Kamal Kharrazi, a senior adviser to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said in a statement. Eslami said, "As Mr Kharrazi mentioned, Iran has the technical ability to build an atomic bomb, but such a program is not on the agenda." ALSO READ | China says military will 'not sit idly by' ahead of Nancy Pelosi's Taiwan visit It is believed that such a statement can jeopardise the ongoing talks and efforts to resurrect the nuclear deal. Such statements might also intensify global concerns over the nature of Iran's nuclear programme. In 2015, Iran agreed to a pact with six major powers to limit its nuclear program. Such statements suggest that Iran might have an interest in nuclear weapons. But Iran has denied it. The pact in 2015 made it harder to obtain a weapon in return for relief from economic sanctions. ALSO READ | Chinese fighter jets enter Taiwan's air defence zone In 2018, then US President Donald Trump reneged on the deal and reimposed harsh sanctions on Iran. The decision by the former US president led Tehran to start violating the agreement's nuclear limits about a year later. Reports have stated that Iran is already enriching uranium to up to 60% fissile purity. The level is far above a cap of 3.67% set under the now tattered nuclear deal which was signed in 2015. Uranium enriched to 90% is suitable for a nuclear bomb. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iran can build atom bomb but has no intention of doing so, says nuclear chief

Iranian border guards clashed Sunday with the Afghan Taliban, Iranian media reported, the latest cross-border exchange since the former insurgents seized power in neighbouring Afghanistan a year ago.

The official IRNA news agency quoted Meisam Barazandeh, governor of the border country of Hirmand in eastern Iran, as saying that the incident is under investigation. He did not provide details about the clash or report any casualties.

There was no immediate comment from the Taliban.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-landslides-floods-triggered-by-heavy-rains-kill-at-least-53-people-501911">Iran: Landslides, floods triggered by heavy rains kill at least 53 people</a>

Iran's semiofficial Tasnim news agency, which is close to Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard, said the Taliban opened fire on houses on the eastern edge of the county, in the area of Shoqalak, across the border from Afghanistan's Nimruz province.

The report also said that Taliban forces tried to raise the Taliban flag in an area that is not part of the territory of Afghanistan and that after the exchange, calm returned.

Tasnim later quoted Majid Mirahmadi, the country's deputy interior minister, as saying the Taliban first opened fire on Iranian guards, forcing them to return fire until the exchange subsided when the Iranian guards brought the situation under control.

The exchange lasted for an hour and a half and ended early on Sunday afternoon.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-executes-three-women-including-former-child-bride-amnesty-slams-authorities-501701">Iran executes three women, including former child bride; Amnesty slams authorities</a>

Mirahmadi said a similar clash took place on Saturday because the Taliban do not respect the "geographical and official border" between the two countries.

Clashes have repeatedly erupted between Iranian security forces and Afghan Taliban forces at&nbsp;various spots along the border since the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan last August. The exchanges of fire are often over local issues such as disputes over farmland, water or smuggling, and usually end quickly.

In some of the worst clashes, last December, the Afghan Taliban seized several checkpoints on the Iranian side but soon withdrew, and both sides called the incident a 'misunderstanding.'

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Iranian border guards clashed Sunday with the Afghan Taliban, Iranian media reported, the latest cross-border exchange since the former insurgents seized power in neighbouring Afghanistan a year ago.

Iranian border guards clashed Sunday with the Afghan Taliban, Iranian media reported, the latest cross-border exchange since the former insurgents seized power in neighbouring Afghanistan a year ago. The official IRNA news agency quoted Meisam Barazandeh, governor of the border country of Hirmand in eastern Iran, as saying that the incident is under investigation. He did not provide details about the clash or report any casualties. There was no immediate comment from the Taliban. Also read | Iran: Landslides, floods triggered by heavy rains kill at least 53 people Iran's semiofficial Tasnim news agency, which is close to Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard, said the Taliban opened fire on houses on the eastern edge of the county, in the area of Shoqalak, across the border from Afghanistan's Nimruz province. The report also said that Taliban forces tried to raise the Taliban flag in an area that is not part of the territory of Afghanistan and that after the exchange, calm returned. Tasnim later quoted Majid Mirahmadi, the country's deputy interior minister, as saying the Taliban first opened fire on Iranian guards, forcing them to return fire until the exchange subsided when the Iranian guards brought the situation under control. The exchange lasted for an hour and a half and ended early on Sunday afternoon. Also read | Iran executes three women, including former child bride; Amnesty slams authorities Mirahmadi said a similar clash took place on Saturday because the Taliban do not respect the "geographical and official border" between the two countries. Clashes have repeatedly erupted between Iranian security forces and Afghan Taliban forces at various spots along the border since the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan last August. The exchanges of fire are often over local issues such as disputes over farmland, water or smuggling, and usually end quickly. In some of the worst clashes, last December, the Afghan Taliban seized several checkpoints on the Iranian side but soon withdrew, and both sides called the incident a 'misunderstanding.' WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iran says border guards have clashed with Afghan Taliban

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