The US has said that it is willing to ease sanctions if Iran is willing to act and a deal is possible within days. France also said that only days are left to agree on a possible Iran nuclear deal.

France: Only days left to agree on possible Iran Nuclear deal

France warned on Wednesday that Iran has only days left to accept a deal on its nuclear programme at Vienna talks, while Iran's chief negotiator said a deal was closer than ever before.

In an address to the Senate, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian predicted that if there is no agreement, a major crisis would ensue.

"We need political decisions from the Iranians. They have a very clear choice," France's Le Drian said.

"Either they unleash a serious crisis in the next days... or they accept an agreement that respects the interests of all the parties, especially those of Iran," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eyeing-iran-israel-pm-bennett-meets-bahrains-king-as-he-strives-to-build-ring-of-alliances-453846">Eyeing Iran, Israel PM Bennett meets Bahrain’s King as he strives to build ‘ring of alliances’</a>

Having described a deal as "within grasp," he said there was now an agreement between the European powers as well as China, Russia, and the United States.

He nonetheless warned that Iran's nuclear activities are intensifying and that time is running out.

"The more this goes on, the more Iran is accelerating its nuclear procedures," he said.

In late November, the Vienna talks, which include Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and&nbsp;indirectly the United States, resumed with the goal of restoring the 2015 deal.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vienna-talks-far-from-balance-in-commitments-says-irans-top-security-official-451065">Vienna talks 'far from balance in commitments,' says Iran's top security official</a>

"We are closer than ever to an agreement," Iran's top negotiator Ali Bagheri wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. "Our negotiating partners need to be realistic, avoid intransigence and heed lessons of past 4yrs. Time for their serious decisions."

Iran's economy took a beating after the-then President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions on the country in 2018. Iran, then ramped up its nuclear work, violating the terms of the 2015 deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

"As a matter of principle, public opinion in Iran cannot accept as a guarantee the words of a head of state, let alone the United States, due to the withdrawal of Americans" in 2018, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told the Financial Times in an interview published on his ministry's website.

Watch |&nbsp;Iran Nuclear Talks: 'Deal in sight,' says EU foreign policy chief

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-nuclear-talks-deal-in-sight-says-eu-foreign-policy-chief-453427/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In a statement he made, he said he had asked Iranian negotiators to propose to the Western parties that "at least their parliaments or parliament speakers, including the US Congress, can declare in the form of a political statement their commitment to the agreement."

The Vienna talks aim to bring Washington back to the nuclear deal and include lifting sanctions on Iran, as well as ensuring Tehran sticks to its commitments.

(With inputs from agencies)

France warned on Wednesday that Iran has only days left to accept a deal on its nuclear programme at Vienna talks, while Iran's chief negotiator said a deal was closer than ever before.

France warned on Wednesday that Iran has only days left to accept a deal on its nuclear programme at Vienna talks, while Iran's chief negotiator said a deal was closer than ever before. In an address to the Senate, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian predicted that if there is no agreement, a major crisis would ensue. "We need political decisions from the Iranians. They have a very clear choice," France's Le Drian said. "Either they unleash a serious crisis in the next days... or they accept an agreement that respects the interests of all the parties, especially those of Iran," he said. Also read | Eyeing Iran, Israel PM Bennett meets Bahrain’s King as he strives to build ‘ring of alliances’ Having described a deal as "within grasp," he said there was now an agreement between the European powers as well as China, Russia, and the United States. He nonetheless warned that Iran's nuclear activities are intensifying and that time is running out. "The more this goes on, the more Iran is accelerating its nuclear procedures," he said. In late November, the Vienna talks, which include Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and indirectly the United States, resumed with the goal of restoring the 2015 deal. Also read | Vienna talks 'far from balance in commitments,' says Iran's top security official "We are closer than ever to an agreement," Iran's top negotiator Ali Bagheri wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. "Our negotiating partners need to be realistic, avoid intransigence and heed lessons of past 4yrs. Time for their serious decisions." Iran's economy took a beating after the-then President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions on the country in 2018. Iran, then ramped up its nuclear work, violating the terms of the 2015 deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "As a matter of principle, public opinion in Iran cannot accept as a guarantee the words of a head of state, let alone the United States, due to the withdrawal of Americans" in 2018, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told the Financial Times in an interview published on his ministry's website. Watch | Iran Nuclear Talks: 'Deal in sight,' says EU foreign policy chief In a statement he made, he said he had asked Iranian negotiators to propose to the Western parties that "at least their parliaments or parliament speakers, including the US Congress, can declare in the form of a political statement their commitment to the agreement." The Vienna talks aim to bring Washington back to the nuclear deal and include lifting sanctions on Iran, as well as ensuring Tehran sticks to its commitments. (With inputs from agencies)

France says Iran nuclear deal 'within grasp', predicts a major crisis if agreement isn't reached

Negotiators engaged in talks in Vienna are days away from a final decision on salvaging the Iran nuclear pact. Both the United States and Iran have indicated that they are closer than ever to an agreement.

Nuclear deal negotiators days away from a final decision

The negotiators engaged in the talks in Vienna are just days away from a final decision on salvaging the Iranian nuclear deal. The United States and Iran have indicated that they are closer than ever on reaching an agreement.

Nuclear deal negotiations just days away from a final decision

Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Tuesday where he discussed several pressing issues, including their common archenemy Iran, during his historic trip to the Gulf country.

Bennett said that his landmark visit to Bahrain offered a “new model” of Israeli-Arab relations, part of a goal of creating a regional “ring of alliances”.

“This was a very successful visit, warm reception, strong connection, very open atmosphere,” Bennett said at the end of his visit, 17 months after Israel and Bahrain ended decades of tensions to normalise ties.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Bahraini monarch hailed the “historic day,” noting Bennett is the first Israeli premier to visit the kingdom.

“Because of [Bennett’s] determination and leadership, this was a productive and successful visit,” he was quoted as saying in a statement. “I thank you for coming here.”

Bennett’s office said his tete-a-tete with the king extended beyond the allotted time, leaving no time for their teams to meet.

The meeting comes at a time when several Western countries are holding talks in Vienna on discussing the resumption of the 2015 Iran Nuclear deal.

The talks involve Iran, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia directly, and the United States indirectly.

Israel has also sent its diplomats to Vienna even though it is not part of the negotiations.

While the presence of Israel in the talks has angered Iran, Jerusalem maintains that lifting sanctions on Tehran would enable it to fund nuclear programmes, putting the Arab and West Asian regions in jeopardy.

Israel is seeking to influence negotiations to seek tighter curbs on Tehran and more robust security arrangements.

The 2015 deal offered Tehran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme, but the US unilaterally withdrew in 2018 under then-president Donald Trump and reimposed stiff economic sanctions, prompting Tehran to begin rolling back on its commitments.

(With inputs from Jodi Cohen)

Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Tuesday where he discussed several pressing issues, including their common archenemy Iran, during his historic trip to the Gulf country.

Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Tuesday where he discussed several pressing issues, including their common archenemy Iran, during his historic trip to the Gulf country. Bennett said that his landmark visit to Bahrain offered a “new model” of Israeli-Arab relations, part of a goal of creating a regional “ring of alliances”. “This was a very successful visit, warm reception, strong connection, very open atmosphere,” Bennett said at the end of his visit, 17 months after Israel and Bahrain ended decades of tensions to normalise ties. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Bahraini monarch hailed the “historic day,” noting Bennett is the first Israeli premier to visit the kingdom. “Because of [Bennett’s] determination and leadership, this was a productive and successful visit,” he was quoted as saying in a statement. “I thank you for coming here.” Bennett’s office said his tete-a-tete with the king extended beyond the allotted time, leaving no time for their teams to meet. The meeting comes at a time when several Western countries are holding talks in Vienna on discussing the resumption of the 2015 Iran Nuclear deal. The talks involve Iran, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia directly, and the United States indirectly. Israel has also sent its diplomats to Vienna even though it is not part of the negotiations. While the presence of Israel in the talks has angered Iran, Jerusalem maintains that lifting sanctions on Tehran would enable it to fund nuclear programmes, putting the Arab and West Asian regions in jeopardy. Israel is seeking to influence negotiations to seek tighter curbs on Tehran and more robust security arrangements. The 2015 deal offered Tehran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme, but the US unilaterally withdrew in 2018 under then-president Donald Trump and reimposed stiff economic sanctions, prompting Tehran to begin rolling back on its commitments. (With inputs from Jodi Cohen)

Eyeing Iran, Israel PM Bennett meets Bahrain’s King as he strives to build ‘ring of alliances’

After months of off and on negotiations, Iran on Monday said an agreement to revive a 2015 nuclear deal with the world powers was near. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell added to hopes of a renewed deal saying that he believed an agreement was in sight.

Iran Nuclear Talks: 'Deal in sight,' says EU foreign policy chief

Hit by the sanctions from the United States, Iran's bookstores fear washout. The increased production cost is expected to have a wider impact.

Bookstores fear washout in Iran as publishers are running out of cash

Iranian Alpine skier Hossein Saveh-Shemshaki has been provisionally suspended after a sample collected returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF), the International Testing Agency said on Wednesday (February 9).

The ITA said the sample, collected during an out-of-competition anti-doping control on Monday in Beijing, tested positive for an anabolic androgenic steroid on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of prohibited substances.

"The athlete is prevented from competing, training, coaching, or participating in any activity, during the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022," the ITA said in a statement.

"The athlete has the right to challenge the imposition of the provisional suspension before the Court of Arbitration for Sport – Anti-Doping Division (CAS ADD). The athlete also has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample."

Saveh-Shemshaki, 36, earned his best Olympic result so far in 2014 in Sochi, where he finished 31st in slalom.

Iranian Alpine skier Hossein Saveh-Shemshaki has been provisionally suspended after a sample collected returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF), the International Testing Agency said on Wednesday (February 9).

Iranian Alpine skier Hossein Saveh-Shemshaki has been provisionally suspended after a sample collected returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF), the International Testing Agency said on Wednesday (February 9). The ITA said the sample, collected during an out-of-competition anti-doping control on Monday in Beijing, tested positive for an anabolic androgenic steroid on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of prohibited substances. "The athlete is prevented from competing, training, coaching, or participating in any activity, during the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022," the ITA said in a statement. "The athlete has the right to challenge the imposition of the provisional suspension before the Court of Arbitration for Sport – Anti-Doping Division (CAS ADD). The athlete also has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample." Saveh-Shemshaki, 36, earned his best Olympic result so far in 2014 in Sochi, where he finished 31st in slalom.

Winter Olympics 2022: Iran's Saveh-Shemshaki suspended after failing dope test

Germany's Foreign Minister meets with Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett amid the ongoing Vienna talks to salvage Iran's Nuclear Deal.

German FM meets Israel's Prime Minister as 9th round of Nuclear deal negotiations underway in Vienna

Iran unveiled a new missile with a range of 1,450 km, making it capable of targeting Israel and US bases in the Middle East. The missile is called the Khaibar-buster.

Iran unveils ballistic missile called Kheibar buster as nuclear talks resume in Vienna

Days after the talks on the 2015 nuclear agreement began in Vienna, Tehran on Wednesday unveiled a long-range ballistic missile capable of striking&nbsp;the US bases in the region and also targeting&nbsp;inside archenemy Israel.

The state TV reported that the missile, called Khaibar-buster, uses solid fuel and is capable of penetrating into&nbsp;missile shields with high manoeuvrability during the landing stage.

The new missile has a range of 1,450 kilometres (900 miles). Notably, Israel’s closest point to Iran is around 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) away.

Reportedly, it also has missiles that can travel up to 2,000 kilometres (1,250 miles).

The name Khaibar-buster has a reference to a Jewish castle in present-day Saudi Arabia that was overrun by Muslim warriors in the early days of Islam in the 7th century.

The missile is propelled by solid fuel.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-nuclear-talks-us-hopeful-of-building-on-negotiations-progress-this-week-442369">Iran nuclear talks: US hopeful of building on negotiations progress&nbsp;</a>

The modified design of Kheibarshekan has reduced its weight by a third compared to the similar missiles, while its preparation time for launch has decreased to one-sixth of the ordinary ones, Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported.

Among its other features include its agility and high velocity in hitting the targets.

“This long-range missile is domestically manufactured by the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC)… It has high accuracy and is propelled by solid fuel and is capable of penetrating missile shields,” Iranian state media reported.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-launches-research-cargos-into-space-amid-stalled-nuclear-talks-441140">Iran launches 'research cargos into space' amid stalled nuclear talks</a>

Meanwhile, the 8th round of the 2015 nuclear talks, which was halted for more than a week to allow delegations to head back to their capitals for political consultations, resumed on Tuesday in Vienna.

The Iranian government has refused to talk directly to the United States, which unilaterally abandoned the deal&nbsp;in 2018 and reimposed&nbsp;harsh sanctions&nbsp;on Iran.

The Vienna talks are currently being facilitated by European officials.

(With inputs from agencies)

Days after the talks on the 2015 nuclear agreement began in Vienna, Tehran on Wednesday unveiled a long-range ballistic missile capable of striking the US bases in the region and also targeting inside archenemy Israel.

Days after the talks on the 2015 nuclear agreement began in Vienna, Tehran on Wednesday unveiled a long-range ballistic missile capable of striking the US bases in the region and also targeting inside archenemy Israel. The state TV reported that the missile, called Khaibar-buster, uses solid fuel and is capable of penetrating into missile shields with high manoeuvrability during the landing stage. The new missile has a range of 1,450 kilometres (900 miles). Notably, Israel’s closest point to Iran is around 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) away. Reportedly, it also has missiles that can travel up to 2,000 kilometres (1,250 miles). The name Khaibar-buster has a reference to a Jewish castle in present-day Saudi Arabia that was overrun by Muslim warriors in the early days of Islam in the 7th century. The missile is propelled by solid fuel. Also read | Iran nuclear talks: US hopeful of building on negotiations progress The modified design of Kheibarshekan has reduced its weight by a third compared to the similar missiles, while its preparation time for launch has decreased to one-sixth of the ordinary ones, Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported. Among its other features include its agility and high velocity in hitting the targets. “This long-range missile is domestically manufactured by the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC)… It has high accuracy and is propelled by solid fuel and is capable of penetrating missile shields,” Iranian state media reported. Also read | Iran launches 'research cargos into space' amid stalled nuclear talks Meanwhile, the 8th round of the 2015 nuclear talks, which was halted for more than a week to allow delegations to head back to their capitals for political consultations, resumed on Tuesday in Vienna. The Iranian government has refused to talk directly to the United States, which unilaterally abandoned the deal in 2018 and reimposed harsh sanctions on Iran. The Vienna talks are currently being facilitated by European officials. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran unveils long-range ballistic missile capable of striking US bases, Israel

People in Iran were left shocked after a video of a man roaming around the streets with his wife’s decapitated head went viral.

According to reports, Mona Heidari, 17, was killed by her husband and brother-in-law in the southwestern city of Ahvaz on Saturday over suspicion of adultery.

According to Iranian media, the victim was just 12 when she was married and had a three-year-old son by the time she was killed.

Iran’s news agency IRNA said that the police officers arrested the two men “during a raid on their hideout”.

According to local media reports, the woman reportedly fled to Turkey after her family discovered that she had an affair.&nbsp;

But she was tracked to the country and brought back to Iran by her father and her husband this week.&nbsp;

The deeply disturbing incident forced Iran's vice president for women's affairs, Ensieh Khazali, to call on the parliament to take “urgent measures” and asked the authorities to raise awareness to prevent such cases.

Iranian newspapers and social media expressed rage over the killing, with many seeking urgent legal reforms.

Honour killings are prevalent in some parts of Iran, mostly due to societal beliefs and the Islamic Republic’s lax laws and light sentences that encourage the behaviour.

Article 630 of the Constitution exempts a husband from punishment if he kills after witnessing adultery.

According to Sharia law, only the “blood owners” (the immediate family members) are allowed to demand execution for the murder of their loved ones.

This means that most honour killings go unpunished since families do not demand heavy punishment for another family member.

(With inputs from agencies)

People in Iran were left shocked after a video of a man roaming around the streets with his wife’s decapitated head went viral. According to reports, Mona Heidari, 17, was killed by her husband and brother-in-law in the southwestern city of Ahvaz on Saturday over suspicion of adultery.

People in Iran were left shocked after a video of a man roaming around the streets with his wife’s decapitated head went viral. According to reports, Mona Heidari, 17, was killed by her husband and brother-in-law in the southwestern city of Ahvaz on Saturday over suspicion of adultery. According to Iranian media, the victim was just 12 when she was married and had a three-year-old son by the time she was killed. Iran’s news agency IRNA said that the police officers arrested the two men “during a raid on their hideout”. According to local media reports, the woman reportedly fled to Turkey after her family discovered that she had an affair. But she was tracked to the country and brought back to Iran by her father and her husband this week. The deeply disturbing incident forced Iran's vice president for women's affairs, Ensieh Khazali, to call on the parliament to take “urgent measures” and asked the authorities to raise awareness to prevent such cases. Iranian newspapers and social media expressed rage over the killing, with many seeking urgent legal reforms. Honour killings are prevalent in some parts of Iran, mostly due to societal beliefs and the Islamic Republic’s lax laws and light sentences that encourage the behaviour. Article 630 of the Constitution exempts a husband from punishment if he kills after witnessing adultery. According to Sharia law, only the “blood owners” (the immediate family members) are allowed to demand execution for the murder of their loved ones. This means that most honour killings go unpunished since families do not demand heavy punishment for another family member. (With inputs from agencies)

Honour killing: Iran in shock after man roams around streets carrying decapitated wife’s head

Ahead of resumption of indirect talks between the US and Iran, oil prices have eased today morning which may revive a nuclear deal, it could lead to removal of sanctions on oil sales and it can increase global supplies.

Oil slips from seven-year highs ahead of US-Iran talks

On the eve of renewed nuclear deal talks the United States indicated a possibility of a deal with Iran on its nuclear program but the US also asserted that an agreement had to be completed urgently as Tehran advances its nuclear capabilities, the negotiations are resuming in Vienna after being halted at the end of last month.

US says Iran nuclear deal 'in sight,' renewed nuclear deal talks in Vienna

Iran said on Monday (February 7) that removal of sanctions remained a 'red line' to revive Iran nuclear deal. The indirect talks between Iran and the USA are slated to resume on Tuesday (February 8). The European Union confirmed resumption of talks in Vienna in statement on Monday.

Iran nuclear deal was struck by USA and other world powers in 2015. Under the deal, sanctions on Iran were lifted under promises from the Islamic republic of comprehensively limiting its nuclear program. However, former US president Donald Trump took America out of the deal in 2018 re-imposing crippling sanctions on Iran.

"The issue of removal of sanctions and Iran benefiting from it is Iran's red line in the talks," Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh told a weekly news conference on Monday.

"If the U.S. returns to Vienna with a political decision and a specific agenda ... to remove the sanctions, then surely it will be possible to reach a deal quickly."

Iran's lead nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani would return to Vienna on Tuesday, Khatibzadeh said.

After eight rounds of indirect talks between Tehran and Washington since April, differences remain about the speed and scope of lifting sanctions on Tehran, including Iran's demand for a US guarantee of no further punitive steps, and how and when to restore curbs on Iran's atomic work.

The talks paused on January 28 as top negotiators returned to their respective capitals for consultations. US Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley on Sunday (February 6) said he would soon return to Vienna, insisting the pact could still be revived.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iran said on Monday (February 7) that removal of sanctions remained a 'red line' to revive Iran nuclear deal. The indirect talks between Iran and the USA are slated to resume on Tuesday (February 8).

Iran said on Monday (February 7) that removal of sanctions remained a 'red line' to revive Iran nuclear deal. The indirect talks between Iran and the USA are slated to resume on Tuesday (February 8). The European Union confirmed resumption of talks in Vienna in statement on Monday. Iran nuclear deal was struck by USA and other world powers in 2015. Under the deal, sanctions on Iran were lifted under promises from the Islamic republic of comprehensively limiting its nuclear program. However, former US president Donald Trump took America out of the deal in 2018 re-imposing crippling sanctions on Iran. "The issue of removal of sanctions and Iran benefiting from it is Iran's red line in the talks," Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh told a weekly news conference on Monday. "If the U.S. returns to Vienna with a political decision and a specific agenda ... to remove the sanctions, then surely it will be possible to reach a deal quickly." Iran's lead nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani would return to Vienna on Tuesday, Khatibzadeh said. After eight rounds of indirect talks between Tehran and Washington since April, differences remain about the speed and scope of lifting sanctions on Tehran, including Iran's demand for a US guarantee of no further punitive steps, and how and when to restore curbs on Iran's atomic work. The talks paused on January 28 as top negotiators returned to their respective capitals for consultations. US Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley on Sunday (February 6) said he would soon return to Vienna, insisting the pact could still be revived. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran deal talks to resume on Tuesday, Tehran says sanctions removal a 'red line'

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has laid out an expanded Israeli strategy to confront Iran that appears to move beyond a potential military strike against the Islamic republic’s nuclear facilities.

Mr. Bennett appeared to be guided not only by concern about the fallout of a unilateral Israeli action but also seemingly mounting fears in Tehran that economic hardship could spark a social explosion.

“Bennett’s new approach is to take action gradually in an attempt to exhaust Iran’s power, wear it down and weaken the violent energy it is sending to its offshoots in the Middle East,” said Haaretz journalist Jonathan Lis.

The expanded strategy is likely rooted, at least partially, in the notion that harsh US sanctions have deepened Iran's economic woes but that these are also the result of gross economic mismanagement, rampant corruption, and the cost of supporting Iranian intervention in Syria and militias in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen. Iran hopes that lifting US sanctions as part of an agreement in Vienna would alleviate its economic problems.

Israel’s strategy appeared until now to centre on a possible military strike against Iranian nuclear facilities for which Israel’s armed forces are preparing.&nbsp;

Military analysts have questioned how effective an Israeli strike might be in destroying Iran’s nuclear capability. Moreover, Israel could face severe international criticism, including by the United States, if it were to strike unilaterally once the Vienna talks succeed in reviving the nuclear accord.

Mr. Bennett last month reiterated that Israel would not be bound by any nuclear deal with Iran and would continue to consider itself free to act “with no constraints” if necessary.

At the same time, the Israeli prime minister warned participants in the 2022 Davos World Economic Forum that “investing in Iran is not a sound investment whether there is a deal or not a deal... Their economy is tanking. The rial is depreciating. They are so incompetent that they are not able to get water to faucets in huge swaths of land, for example, in the Isfahan area," Mr. Bennett said.

The notion that a war of attrition could wear Iran down may have gained currency with the leaking of a seven-page summary of a meeting in November. In the meeting, senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that Iranian society was, in the words of a Mr. Mohammadi, identified as an official of the Guards’ intelligence wing, in a “state of explosion.”

The seriousness of the warning was highlighted by the fact that the meeting was reportedly convened by the Guards’ ‘Working Group on the Prevention of a Livelihood-Based Security Crisis.'

Mr. Mohammadi argued that soaring inflation; hikes in the price of food, energy, and cars; and declining stock prices had “shaken public trust” in the government of President Ebrahim Raisi only months after it came to office.

Shareholders last month staged a protest in front of the Istanbul stock exchange denouncing Mr. Raisi as a “liar,’ and chanting “Death to this deceitful government.”

An Iranian legal and economic consultant said that millions of small investors had recently sustained substantial losses on the Iranian stock market.

“They’ve seen a substantial portion of their savings wiped out… When you get the shopkeeper on the corner talking about the stock market, you know you're in an advanced stage of a bubble. So people are moving assets offshore and buying property abroad," he said. Iranians are among the top buyers of residential real estate in neighbouring Turkey.

The adviser said the Iranian government’s proposed budget for the next year was fuelling the unrest. The budget significantly increases expenditure on the Guards and the military at the expense of social spending. Moreover, a ten per cent rise in government salaries would fall far below Iran’s rampant inflation estimated a 40 per cent.

According to the leaked document, a Colonel Kaviani told the Guards’ meeting that real inflation ranged from 86 to 268 per cent.

Some Iranian officials have suggested that a series of recent cyberattacks targeting airlines, railways, gas stations, universities, and Iran’s state broadcaster is part of an Israeli effort to capitalise on and fuel widespread discontent.

Others said the attack on state-run Iranian television and radio might not have been launched by Israel but be an effort by Iranian hardliners to undermine the position of the broadcaster’s director-general, Peyman Jebelli, who they accuse of being insufficiently conservative. Either way, the attack and potentially other cyber incidents would serve Israel's purpose even if the Jewish state was not directly responsible.

Analysts said the attacks constituted an expansion of Israel’s targeting of Iranian military and nuclear sites toward a more full-fledged cyberwar on civilian infrastructure as well as an escalating information war.

In a seeming response, a cyber group operated by Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia in Lebanon, hacked companies in Israel, Palestine, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, the United States, and Britain, according to ClearSky, a cybersecurity company. Iran is also believed to have targeted Israel’s water system, a hospital, and an LGBTQ dating site.

“Given that Iran’s nuclear facilities have spread all over the country and attacking the program has become much more complicated, Israel has adopted a new approach — conducting massive cyberattacks…to foment nationwide riots with the objective of toppling the regime or keeping the rulers busy with day-to-day, endless riots,” said Maysam Behravesh, a former foreign policy advisor for Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security.

Mr. Behravesh argued that the cyberattacks were not instead of an Israeli attack but buying time in advance of a strike.

“This change of pattern by the Israelis to hit civilian targets is a pre-strike stage, meaning they’re giving this one last chance before resorting to a full-scale military operation against Iranian nuclear facilities,” he said.

In an apparent escalation of the information war, the BBC last week disclosed a suspected Iranian network on Facebook aimed at nationalist and ultra-religious Jews in an attempt to stoke division and inflame tensions with Palestinians.

The United States and Saudi Arabia have, in the past separately, tried without success to provoke widespread unrest in Iran by supporting dissident ethnic groups.

The Saudi effort is a reminder that what starts in the Middle East does not always stay in the Middle East. It sparked a tit-for-tat exchange between Saudi and Iranian intelligence assets in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway.

A Danish district court last week convicted three members of an Iranian Arab opposition group on charges of financing and supporting terrorist activity in Iran in collaboration with Saudi Arabian intelligence services as well as espionage.

Last year, a Danish court upheld a seven-year sentence given to a Norwegian citizen of Iranian origin for spying and collaboration in a failed plot to kill one of the Iranian Arabs sentenced last week.

The notion that an escalating cyberwar could escalate beyond Israel and Iran as it apparently did with the Hezbollah attacks on companies across the region and beyond was but one reason for authorities in numerous countries to step up joint exercises focussed on cyberattacks from a wide variety of state-sponsored and criminal entities, of which Iran is only one, and not necessarily the most important one.

Israel's Joint Cyber Defense Division and the US Cyber Command organised their sixth joint drill in a year in December. Israel led a 10-country simulation of a major cyberattack on the global financial system at about the same time.

Participants included treasury officials from Israel, the United States, the UK, the UAE, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Thailand, as well as representatives from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and Bank of International Settlements.

Yigal Una, head of Israel’s National Cyber Directorate, said that in “the end we know everyone who’s behind (an attack) and we remember, and we can get even… We don't feel for one second that we don't have the upper hand.”

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has laid out an expanded Israeli strategy to confront Iran that appears to move beyond a potential military strike against the Islamic republic’s nuclear facilities.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has laid out an expanded Israeli strategy to confront Iran that appears to move beyond a potential military strike against the Islamic republic’s nuclear facilities. Mr. Bennett appeared to be guided not only by concern about the fallout of a unilateral Israeli action but also seemingly mounting fears in Tehran that economic hardship could spark a social explosion. “Bennett’s new approach is to take action gradually in an attempt to exhaust Iran’s power, wear it down and weaken the violent energy it is sending to its offshoots in the Middle East,” said Haaretz journalist Jonathan Lis. The expanded strategy is likely rooted, at least partially, in the notion that harsh US sanctions have deepened Iran's economic woes but that these are also the result of gross economic mismanagement, rampant corruption, and the cost of supporting Iranian intervention in Syria and militias in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen. Iran hopes that lifting US sanctions as part of an agreement in Vienna would alleviate its economic problems. Israel’s strategy appeared until now to centre on a possible military strike against Iranian nuclear facilities for which Israel’s armed forces are preparing. Military analysts have questioned how effective an Israeli strike might be in destroying Iran’s nuclear capability. Moreover, Israel could face severe international criticism, including by the United States, if it were to strike unilaterally once the Vienna talks succeed in reviving the nuclear accord. Mr. Bennett last month reiterated that Israel would not be bound by any nuclear deal with Iran and would continue to consider itself free to act “with no constraints” if necessary. At the same time, the Israeli prime minister warned participants in the 2022 Davos World Economic Forum that “investing in Iran is not a sound investment whether there is a deal or not a deal... Their economy is tanking. The rial is depreciating. They are so incompetent that they are not able to get water to faucets in huge swaths of land, for example, in the Isfahan area," Mr. Bennett said. The notion that a war of attrition could wear Iran down may have gained currency with the leaking of a seven-page summary of a meeting in November. In the meeting, senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that Iranian society was, in the words of a Mr. Mohammadi, identified as an official of the Guards’ intelligence wing, in a “state of explosion.” The seriousness of the warning was highlighted by the fact that the meeting was reportedly convened by the Guards’ ‘Working Group on the Prevention of a Livelihood-Based Security Crisis.' Mr. Mohammadi argued that soaring inflation; hikes in the price of food, energy, and cars; and declining stock prices had “shaken public trust” in the government of President Ebrahim Raisi only months after it came to office. Shareholders last month staged a protest in front of the Istanbul stock exchange denouncing Mr. Raisi as a “liar,’ and chanting “Death to this deceitful government.” An Iranian legal and economic consultant said that millions of small investors had recently sustained substantial losses on the Iranian stock market. “They’ve seen a substantial portion of their savings wiped out… When you get the shopkeeper on the corner talking about the stock market, you know you're in an advanced stage of a bubble. So people are moving assets offshore and buying property abroad," he said. Iranians are among the top buyers of residential real estate in neighbouring Turkey. The adviser said the Iranian government’s proposed budget for the next year was fuelling the unrest. The budget significantly increases expenditure on the Guards and the military at the expense of social spending. Moreover, a ten per cent rise in government salaries would fall far below Iran’s rampant inflation estimated a 40 per cent. According to the leaked document, a Colonel Kaviani told the Guards’ meeting that real inflation ranged from 86 to 268 per cent. Some Iranian officials have suggested that a series of recent cyberattacks targeting airlines, railways, gas stations, universities, and Iran’s state broadcaster is part of an Israeli effort to capitalise on and fuel widespread discontent. Others said the attack on state-run Iranian television and radio might not have been launched by Israel but be an effort by Iranian hardliners to undermine the position of the broadcaster’s director-general, Peyman Jebelli, who they accuse of being insufficiently conservative. Either way, the attack and potentially other cyber incidents would serve Israel's purpose even if the Jewish state was not directly responsible. Analysts said the attacks constituted an expansion of Israel’s targeting of Iranian military and nuclear sites toward a more full-fledged cyberwar on civilian infrastructure as well as an escalating information war. In a seeming response, a cyber group operated by Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia in Lebanon, hacked companies in Israel, Palestine, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, the United States, and Britain, according to ClearSky, a cybersecurity company. Iran is also believed to have targeted Israel’s water system, a hospital, and an LGBTQ dating site. “Given that Iran’s nuclear facilities have spread all over the country and attacking the program has become much more complicated, Israel has adopted a new approach — conducting massive cyberattacks…to foment nationwide riots with the objective of toppling the regime or keeping the rulers busy with day-to-day, endless riots,” said Maysam Behravesh, a former foreign policy advisor for Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security. Mr. Behravesh argued that the cyberattacks were not instead of an Israeli attack but buying time in advance of a strike. “This change of pattern by the Israelis to hit civilian targets is a pre-strike stage, meaning they’re giving this one last chance before resorting to a full-scale military operation against Iranian nuclear facilities,” he said. In an apparent escalation of the information war, the BBC last week disclosed a suspected Iranian network on Facebook aimed at nationalist and ultra-religious Jews in an attempt to stoke division and inflame tensions with Palestinians. The United States and Saudi Arabia have, in the past separately, tried without success to provoke widespread unrest in Iran by supporting dissident ethnic groups. The Saudi effort is a reminder that what starts in the Middle East does not always stay in the Middle East. It sparked a tit-for-tat exchange between Saudi and Iranian intelligence assets in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway. A Danish district court last week convicted three members of an Iranian Arab opposition group on charges of financing and supporting terrorist activity in Iran in collaboration with Saudi Arabian intelligence services as well as espionage. Last year, a Danish court upheld a seven-year sentence given to a Norwegian citizen of Iranian origin for spying and collaboration in a failed plot to kill one of the Iranian Arabs sentenced last week. The notion that an escalating cyberwar could escalate beyond Israel and Iran as it apparently did with the Hezbollah attacks on companies across the region and beyond was but one reason for authorities in numerous countries to step up joint exercises focussed on cyberattacks from a wide variety of state-sponsored and criminal entities, of which Iran is only one, and not necessarily the most important one. Israel's Joint Cyber Defense Division and the US Cyber Command organised their sixth joint drill in a year in December. Israel led a 10-country simulation of a major cyberattack on the global financial system at about the same time. Participants included treasury officials from Israel, the United States, the UK, the UAE, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Thailand, as well as representatives from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and Bank of International Settlements. Yigal Una, head of Israel’s National Cyber Directorate, said that in “the end we know everyone who’s behind (an attack) and we remember, and we can get even… We don't feel for one second that we don't have the upper hand.” (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Israel expands its Iran strategy amid potential social unrest in the Islamic republic

The United States has restored sanctions waiver to Iran as efforts are on to salvage 2015 Iran Nuclear deal.

The US restores sanctions waiver to Iran amid efforts to salvage 2015 Nuclear deal

Iranian state broadcaster was hacked on Thursday. Dissents hijacked the broadcast - and called for the death of Iran's Supreme Leader. Tehran is blaming an old enemy for the hack. Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Iran State TV hacked, broadcast calls for Khamenei's death

Iran has condemned the ''suspicious'' Baghdad airport attack by calling it an attempt to ''destabilise'' Iraq.

"Such suspicious actions have created insecurity and unrest in Iraq, paving the way for the ill-wishers and the insurgents, and affecting the government's services to the Iraqi citizens," said Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh.

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Several rockets landed in the Baghdad International Airport compound and near an adjacent US airbase on Friday, damaging at least one disused civilian aeroplane.

The US airbase, known as Camp Victory, is located around the perimeter of Baghdad's civilian airport.

Rocket attacks have regularly struck the complex in recent years and are blamed by the US and some Iraqi officials on Iran-aligned Shi'ite militia groups who oppose the US&nbsp;military presence in the region.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rockets-hit-baghdad-airport-compound-no-casualties-448370">Also read |&nbsp;Rockets hit Baghdad airport compound; no casualties</a>

A series of attacks this month, some of which the United States blames on Iran-aligned militia groups, have targeted bases or installations hosting US&nbsp;military and diplomatic personnel but have caused no US casualties.

Such attacks mounted after the US assassinated the commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Major General Qassem Soleimani, and his Iraqi lieutenant Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, in a January 2020 drone strike near Baghdad airport.

The attacks are rarely claimed but they are routinely pinned on pro-Iran factions, who demand that US troops deployed to help Iraqi forces fight the Islamic State jihadist group leave the country.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iran has condemned the ''suspicious'' Baghdad airport attack by calling it an attempt to ''destabilise'' Iraq. "Such suspicious actions have created insecurity and unrest in Iraq, paving the way for the ill-wishers and the insurgents, and affecting the government's services to the Iraqi citizens," said Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh.

Iran has condemned the ''suspicious'' Baghdad airport attack by calling it an attempt to ''destabilise'' Iraq. "Such suspicious actions have created insecurity and unrest in Iraq, paving the way for the ill-wishers and the insurgents, and affecting the government's services to the Iraqi citizens," said Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh. Several rockets landed in the Baghdad International Airport compound and near an adjacent US airbase on Friday, damaging at least one disused civilian aeroplane. The US airbase, known as Camp Victory, is located around the perimeter of Baghdad's civilian airport. Rocket attacks have regularly struck the complex in recent years and are blamed by the US and some Iraqi officials on Iran-aligned Shi'ite militia groups who oppose the US military presence in the region. Also read | Rockets hit Baghdad airport compound; no casualties A series of attacks this month, some of which the United States blames on Iran-aligned militia groups, have targeted bases or installations hosting US military and diplomatic personnel but have caused no US casualties. Such attacks mounted after the US assassinated the commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Major General Qassem Soleimani, and his Iraqi lieutenant Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, in a January 2020 drone strike near Baghdad airport. The attacks are rarely claimed but they are routinely pinned on pro-Iran factions, who demand that US troops deployed to help Iraqi forces fight the Islamic State jihadist group leave the country. (With inputs from agencies)

Baghdad airport attack: Iran condemns 'suspicious actions' for creating insecurity and unrest in Iraq

Hackers gained access to several Iranian state television channels and broadcast pictures of an exiled dissident group and a graphic demanding the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei be killed.

Iran: Hackers show dissident images on state television, call for Khamenei's death

Several channels of Iran’s state television were hacked allegedly by exiled dissident groups who showed graphic images calling for the death of the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.

For several seconds on Thursday, viewers across the country witnessed the image of Khamenei crossed out with red lines appearing on the screen while a man shouted, “Salute to Rajavi, death to Khamenei”.

Massoud Rajavi is the founder of exiled Iranian politico-militant group People's Mujahedin (MEK).&nbsp;

Rajavi and his wife Maryam Rajavi lead the group’s political wing the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) in Paris.

Later, a speech of Rajavi briefly plays over the images, where he was heard saying, ‘Today, we still honour the time that we declared death to the reactionary. We stood by it.”

Massoud Rajavi hasn’t been seen publicly in nearly two decades and is presumed to have died. Maryam Rajavi now reportedly runs the MEK.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BreakingNews?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BreakingNews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iran</a> mullahs regime TV Channel 1 was hacked by Iranian defiant youth! 
The posters of Iranian resistance leaders (Massoud and <a href="https://twitter.com/Maryam_Rajavi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Maryam_Rajavi</a>) were broadcasted. <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FoxNews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RadioFarda_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RadioFarda_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AFP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AFP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MEK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MEK</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PMOI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PMOI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NCRI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NCRI</a> <a href="https://t.co/vRvDE3f1uY">pic.twitter.com/vRvDE3f1uY</a>
— Mitra Motamed (@MitraMotamed) <a href="https://twitter.com/MitraMotamed/status/1486683125652598785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Iran’s state TV authorities acknowledged the incident as a “hack” and said that they would investigate the intrusion.

They said that the attack may have been carried out with help from foreigners.

However, the MEK group distanced itself from the incident.

Speaking to news agency The Associated Press, Shahin Gobadi, a Paris-based MEK spokesperson said, “We, like you, were just informed about the issue.”

“It appears that it was done by supporters of the MEK and resistance units within the regime’s radio and television stations,” he said, without directly claiming responsibility.

He offered no evidence to support his assertion, AP reported.

Widely regarded as a cult, the MEK was once designated as a terrorist organisation by the US and UK,

The MEK began as a Marxist group opposing the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. It claimed and was suspected in a series of attacks against US&nbsp;officials in Iran in the 1970s, something the group now denies.

It supported the 1979 Islamic Revolution, but soon had a falling out with Khomeini and turned against the clerical regime. It carried out a series of assassinations and bombings targeting the young Islamic Republic.

Since its exile from Iran in the early 1980s, the MEK has been committed to the overthrow of the Islamic republic.

The MEK later fled into Iraq and backed dictator Saddam Hussein during his bloody eight-year war against Iran in the 1980s. That saw many oppose the group in Iran.

Although largely based in Albania, to this day the group claims to operate a network inside Iran.

(With inputs from agencies)

Several channels of Iran’s state television were hacked allegedly by exiled dissident groups who showed graphic images calling for the death of the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.

Several channels of Iran’s state television were hacked allegedly by exiled dissident groups who showed graphic images calling for the death of the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. For several seconds on Thursday, viewers across the country witnessed the image of Khamenei crossed out with red lines appearing on the screen while a man shouted, “Salute to Rajavi, death to Khamenei”. Massoud Rajavi is the founder of exiled Iranian politico-militant group People's Mujahedin (MEK). Rajavi and his wife Maryam Rajavi lead the group’s political wing the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) in Paris. Later, a speech of Rajavi briefly plays over the images, where he was heard saying, ‘Today, we still honour the time that we declared death to the reactionary. We stood by it.” Massoud Rajavi hasn’t been seen publicly in nearly two decades and is presumed to have died. Maryam Rajavi now reportedly runs the MEK. #BreakingNews #Iran mullahs regime TV Channel 1 was hacked by Iranian defiant youth! The posters of Iranian resistance leaders (Massoud and @Maryam_Rajavi) were broadcasted. @FoxNews @RadioFarda_ @AFP #MEK #PMOI #NCRI pic.twitter.com/vRvDE3f1uY — Mitra Motamed (@MitraMotamed) January 27, 2022 × Iran’s state TV authorities acknowledged the incident as a “hack” and said that they would investigate the intrusion. They said that the attack may have been carried out with help from foreigners. However, the MEK group distanced itself from the incident. Speaking to news agency The Associated Press, Shahin Gobadi, a Paris-based MEK spokesperson said, “We, like you, were just informed about the issue.” “It appears that it was done by supporters of the MEK and resistance units within the regime’s radio and television stations,” he said, without directly claiming responsibility. He offered no evidence to support his assertion, AP reported. Widely regarded as a cult, the MEK was once designated as a terrorist organisation by the US and UK, The MEK began as a Marxist group opposing the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. It claimed and was suspected in a series of attacks against US officials in Iran in the 1970s, something the group now denies. It supported the 1979 Islamic Revolution, but soon had a falling out with Khomeini and turned against the clerical regime. It carried out a series of assassinations and bombings targeting the young Islamic Republic. Since its exile from Iran in the early 1980s, the MEK has been committed to the overthrow of the Islamic republic. The MEK later fled into Iraq and backed dictator Saddam Hussein during his bloody eight-year war against Iran in the 1980s. That saw many oppose the group in Iran. Although largely based in Albania, to this day the group claims to operate a network inside Iran. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch | Iranian state television hacked, ‘death to Khamenei’ chant flashed for several seconds

An&nbsp;Iranian court on Tuesday sentenced French national Benjamin Briere to eight years in prison on spying charges, his Paris-based lawyer said, describing the trial as a politically motivated sham and his client as a "bargaining chip".

Briere, 36, has been held in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;since May 2020, when he was arrested after flying a helicam - a remote-controlled mini helicopter used to obtain aerial or motion images - in the desert near the Turkmenistan-Iran&nbsp;border.

The ruling comes at a sensitive time as the United States and European parties to&nbsp;Iran's 2015 nuclear deal try to restore the pact that was abandoned in 2018 by then-US&nbsp;President Donald Trump.

"It is unacceptable that Benjamin Briere remains a hostage to negotiations on the part of a regime that persists in its desire to arbitrarily detain a French citizen and use him as a bargaining chip," lawyer Philippe Valent said in a statement.

France has been seen as tougher in nuclear negotiations with&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;than some of the other parties to the deal.

Briere, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, was given an additional eight-month sentence for "propaganda against the Islamic Republic", Valent said.

Briere will appeal against the ruling, said Saeid Dehghan, one of his&nbsp;Iranian lawyers. He said his client had been shocked by the sentence, which was harsher than expected and included an additional charge of cooperating against&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;with hostile states.

"His sentence is based on a different legal clause than the earlier one ... He has been convicted of cooperation with hostile states against&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;which carries a longer sentence than his previous one," Dehghan said.

HUNGER STRIKE

Briere has been on a hunger strike since Christmas.

"Benjamin Briere obviously did not - nor ever - benefit from any form of fair trial before impartial judges," Valent said. "This ruling is the result of a purely political process."

Iran's judiciary was not immediately available for comment. France's foreign ministry said the verdict was "unacceptable", adding that it was in regular contact with Briere.

France has warned Tehran in the past that the way it is handling the cases of French nationals held in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;could sour ties.

Briere's family are alarmed by his physical and psychological condition, Valent said, urging the French authorities to step in.

In recent years,&nbsp;Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on charges related to espionage and security.

Rights groups have accused&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;of trying to extract concessions from other countries through such arrests. Western powers have long demanded that Tehran free their citizens, who they say are political prisoners.

Earlier this month,&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;re-imprisoned Franco-Iranian academic Fariba Adelkhah, sentenced to five years in jail in 2020 but recently living under house arrest. France has demanded Adelkhah's immediate release.

An Iranian court on Tuesday sentenced French national Benjamin Briere to eight years in prison on spying charges, his Paris-based lawyer said, describing the trial as a politically motivated sham and his client as a "bargaining chip".

An Iranian court on Tuesday sentenced French national Benjamin Briere to eight years in prison on spying charges, his Paris-based lawyer said, describing the trial as a politically motivated sham and his client as a "bargaining chip". Briere, 36, has been held in Iran since May 2020, when he was arrested after flying a helicam - a remote-controlled mini helicopter used to obtain aerial or motion images - in the desert near the Turkmenistan-Iran border. The ruling comes at a sensitive time as the United States and European parties to Iran's 2015 nuclear deal try to restore the pact that was abandoned in 2018 by then-US President Donald Trump. "It is unacceptable that Benjamin Briere remains a hostage to negotiations on the part of a regime that persists in its desire to arbitrarily detain a French citizen and use him as a bargaining chip," lawyer Philippe Valent said in a statement. France has been seen as tougher in nuclear negotiations with Iran than some of the other parties to the deal. Briere, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, was given an additional eight-month sentence for "propaganda against the Islamic Republic", Valent said. Briere will appeal against the ruling, said Saeid Dehghan, one of his Iranian lawyers. He said his client had been shocked by the sentence, which was harsher than expected and included an additional charge of cooperating against Iran with hostile states. "His sentence is based on a different legal clause than the earlier one ... He has been convicted of cooperation with hostile states against Iran which carries a longer sentence than his previous one," Dehghan said. HUNGER STRIKE Briere has been on a hunger strike since Christmas. "Benjamin Briere obviously did not - nor ever - benefit from any form of fair trial before impartial judges," Valent said. "This ruling is the result of a purely political process." Iran's judiciary was not immediately available for comment. France's foreign ministry said the verdict was "unacceptable", adding that it was in regular contact with Briere. France has warned Tehran in the past that the way it is handling the cases of French nationals held in Iran could sour ties. Briere's family are alarmed by his physical and psychological condition, Valent said, urging the French authorities to step in. In recent years, Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on charges related to espionage and security. Rights groups have accused Iran of trying to extract concessions from other countries through such arrests. Western powers have long demanded that Tehran free their citizens, who they say are political prisoners. Earlier this month, Iran re-imprisoned Franco-Iranian academic Fariba Adelkhah, sentenced to five years in jail in 2020 but recently living under house arrest. France has demanded Adelkhah's immediate release.

French man sentenced to 8 years in Iran prison for spying

An Iranian court has sentenced French man to eight years in prison on spying charges. The 36-year-old Benjamin Briere is the only western detainee known to be currently held in Iran without an Iranian passport, Brier was arrested in may 2020 after taking pictures in a national park.

Iran jails French man Benjamin Briere for eight years on spying charges

For the first time Iran has told the United States that it is ready for direct negotiations on the nuclear deal. This could be possible turning point in efforts to salvage the 2015 nuclear accord.

Iran, United States ready for direct nuclear talks

Will Iran seek 'good deal with guarantees' from Nuclear talks with United States?

In pics: Russia, Iran, China hold joint naval drills in northern Indian Ocean

In a bid to boost marine security, Iran, Russia and China on Friday began a joint Naval drill in the North Indian ocean.

Iran, Russia & China hold Naval drills in the North Indian Ocean

A public relations officer from Iran's armed forces told country's semi-offical ISNA news agency that China, Russia and Iran will be held on Friday (January 21).

The "2022 Marine Security Belt" exercise will take place in the north of the Indian Ocean and is the third joint naval drill between the three countries, Mostafa Tajoldin added.

Iran's hardline President Ebrahim Raisi has pursued a "look east" policy since coming to office in June. He has sought to deepen ties with Russia and China.&nbsp;

Tehran joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in September, a central Asian security body led by Beijing and Moscow.

Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian visited China last week and Iran`s president was meeting his Russian counterpart in Moscow on Thursday.

China, Russia and Iran started joint naval drills in 2019, and will continue them in the future, Tajoldin said.

"The purpose of this drill is to strengthen security and its foundations in the region, and to expand multilateral cooperation between the three countries to jointly support world peace, maritime security and create a maritime community with a common future," the Iranian official told ISNA.

Both navies from Iran`s armed forces and Revolutionary Guards will take part in the drills, which include various tactical exercises such as rescuing a burning vessel, releasing a hijacked vessel, and shooting at air targets at night.

(With inputs from agencies)

A public relations officer from Iran's armed forces told country's semi-offical ISNA news agency that China, Russia and Iran will be held on Friday (January 21).

A public relations officer from Iran's armed forces told country's semi-offical ISNA news agency that China, Russia and Iran will be held on Friday (January 21). The "2022 Marine Security Belt" exercise will take place in the north of the Indian Ocean and is the third joint naval drill between the three countries, Mostafa Tajoldin added. Iran's hardline President Ebrahim Raisi has pursued a "look east" policy since coming to office in June. He has sought to deepen ties with Russia and China. Tehran joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in September, a central Asian security body led by Beijing and Moscow. Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian visited China last week and Iran`s president was meeting his Russian counterpart in Moscow on Thursday. China, Russia and Iran started joint naval drills in 2019, and will continue them in the future, Tajoldin said. "The purpose of this drill is to strengthen security and its foundations in the region, and to expand multilateral cooperation between the three countries to jointly support world peace, maritime security and create a maritime community with a common future," the Iranian official told ISNA. Both navies from Iran`s armed forces and Revolutionary Guards will take part in the drills, which include various tactical exercises such as rescuing a burning vessel, releasing a hijacked vessel, and shooting at air targets at night. (With inputs from agencies)

China-Russia-Iran trilateral naval drills to be held on Friday

As the Biden administration tries to rescue the 2015 Iran Nuclear deal, Tehran on Monday said that it's high time for the United States to take political decisions in resolving the remaining key issues which includes number one lifting sanctions and talks aimed at reviving Iran's nuclear deal, listen in.

Iran nuclear talks: 'US must announce decisions on removing sanctions,' states Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian is on a visit to China, and during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi has blamed the United States for the difficulties in renegotiating the Iranian nuclear deal.

Iran FM visits China: Beijing slams US sanctions on Iran amid Nuclear deal talks

Twitter has claimed that it has suspended an account that was linked to Iran's leader who posted a video against former US President Donald. The video is calling for revenge for a top general's assassination. The video was showcased on Iran’s supreme leader Ayatolla Ali Khamenei's official website as it showed a robot ordering a drone strike on the former US president.

The video has been titled "Revenge is Definite."

A Twitter spokesperson while speaking to AFP said, "The account referenced has been permanently suspended for violating our ban evasion policy."

However, the leader's main accounts in various languages remain active.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-releases-mock-video-of-drone-strike-on-trump-444572">Also read |&nbsp;Iran releases mock video of drone strike on Trump</a>

The video was reportedly part of a contest to mark the killing of former Iranian Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani who was killed during a US drone strike in Iraq in January 2020 which was ordered by ex-president Trump.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Website of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iran</a>’s supreme leader showcased animated video that appears to show a robot calling in a drone strike to assassinate former US President Donald <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Trump?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Trump</a> More here: <a href="https://t.co/KBsvCz2TRA">https://t.co/KBsvCz2TRA</a> <a href="https://t.co/DQgHGARGko">pic.twitter.com/DQgHGARGko</a>
— Arab News (@arabnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/arabnews/status/1481678680158085121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Iran had called the drone strike on Soleimani a "callous terrorist act". President Ebrahim Raisi vowed to take revenge against Trump over Soleimani's killing.

A similar video had appeared last year showing Trump on a golf course. Last week Iran had imposed sanctions against 50 US officials mainly from the former Trump administration even as the White House declared that it will "protect and defend its citizens".

(With inputs from agencies)

Twitter has claimed that it has suspended an account that was linked to Iran's leader who posted a video against former US President Donald. The video is calling for revenge for a top general's assassination.

Twitter has claimed that it has suspended an account that was linked to Iran's leader who posted a video against former US President Donald. The video is calling for revenge for a top general's assassination. The video was showcased on Iran’s supreme leader Ayatolla Ali Khamenei's official website as it showed a robot ordering a drone strike on the former US president. The video has been titled "Revenge is Definite." A Twitter spokesperson while speaking to AFP said, "The account referenced has been permanently suspended for violating our ban evasion policy." However, the leader's main accounts in various languages remain active. Also read | Iran releases mock video of drone strike on Trump The video was reportedly part of a contest to mark the killing of former Iranian Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani who was killed during a US drone strike in Iraq in January 2020 which was ordered by ex-president Trump. #WATCH: Website of #Iran’s supreme leader showcased animated video that appears to show a robot calling in a drone strike to assassinate former US President Donald #Trump More here: https://t.co/KBsvCz2TRA pic.twitter.com/DQgHGARGko — Arab News (@arabnews) January 13, 2022 × Iran had called the drone strike on Soleimani a "callous terrorist act". President Ebrahim Raisi vowed to take revenge against Trump over Soleimani's killing. A similar video had appeared last year showing Trump on a golf course. Last week Iran had imposed sanctions against 50 US officials mainly from the former Trump administration even as the White House declared that it will "protect and defend its citizens". (With inputs from agencies)

Twitter bans account linked to Iran's leader over video mocking Trump

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