All Iran's nuclear activities are monitored by the UN&nbsp;atomic watchdog policing its nuclear deal with major powers, its ambassador to the watchdog said on Wednesday, after US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said it was secretly enriching uranium.

"We have nothing to hide," Kazim Gharib Abadi told reporters after an emergency meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) 35-nation Board of Governors called by the United States.

In the past two weeks Iran has breached two limits central to the deal, which aimed to extended the time Iran would need to obtain enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon, if it chose to, to a year from around 2-3 months.

US President Donald Trump accused Iran on Wednesday of secretly enriching uranium for a long time and said US&nbsp;sanctions would be increased "substantially" soon, as the UN&nbsp;nuclear watchdog held an emergency meeting on Tehran's breach of a nuclear deal.

Washington used the session of the International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-nation Board of Governors to accuse Iran of extortion after it inched past the deal's limit on enrichment levels, while still offering to hold talks with Tehran.

Iran says it is reacting to harsh U.S. economic sanctions imposed on Tehran since Trump pulled out of world powers' 2015 nuclear accord with the Islamic Republic last year, and says all its steps were reversible if Washington returned to the deal.

"Iran has long been secretly 'enriching,' in total violation of the terrible 150 Billion Dollar deal made by John Kerry and the Obama Administration," Trump said on Twitter.

"Remember, that deal was to expire in a short number of years. Sanctions will soon be increased, substantially!"

All Iran's nuclear activities are monitored by the UN atomic watchdog policing its nuclear deal with major powers, its ambassador to the watchdog said on Wednesday, after US President Donald Trump said it was secretly enriching uranium.

All Iran's nuclear activities are monitored by the UN atomic watchdog policing its nuclear deal with major powers, its ambassador to the watchdog said on Wednesday, after US President Donald Trump said it was secretly enriching uranium. "We have nothing to hide," Kazim Gharib Abadi told reporters after an emergency meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) 35-nation Board of Governors called by the United States. In the past two weeks Iran has breached two limits central to the deal, which aimed to extended the time Iran would need to obtain enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon, if it chose to, to a year from around 2-3 months. US President Donald Trump accused Iran on Wednesday of secretly enriching uranium for a long time and said US sanctions would be increased "substantially" soon, as the UN nuclear watchdog held an emergency meeting on Tehran's breach of a nuclear deal. Washington used the session of the International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-nation Board of Governors to accuse Iran of extortion after it inched past the deal's limit on enrichment levels, while still offering to hold talks with Tehran. Iran says it is reacting to harsh U.S. economic sanctions imposed on Tehran since Trump pulled out of world powers' 2015 nuclear accord with the Islamic Republic last year, and says all its steps were reversible if Washington returned to the deal. "Iran has long been secretly 'enriching,' in total violation of the terrible 150 Billion Dollar deal made by John Kerry and the Obama Administration," Trump said on Twitter. "Remember, that deal was to expire in a short number of years. Sanctions will soon be increased, substantially!"

'We have nothing to hide', Iran envoy replies to Trump allegation

U.S. wants an international military coalition to safeguard waters off Iran & Yemen amid tensions in the region following attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf. Watch this video to know more on the story.

U.S. wants an international military coalition

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - July 10th, 2019

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-frees-lebanese-national-convicted-of-spying-for-us-226340">Iran's release last month of Nizar Zakka</a>, a Lebanese businessman with US permanent residency, after four years in prison was meant as an opening for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-can-talk-to-united-states-if-sanctions-lifted-khamenei-permits-irna-232980">US-Iranian talks</a>, according to three Western sources familiar with the issue.

The gesture, however, was not enough for Washington, which did not pursue it.

"It was a missed opportunity," one US source said of Zakka's June 11 release and the US decision not to pursue talks. "We should have explored whether there was something there."

A second source who is familiar with Iran's thinking and spoke on condition of anonymity said Iran freed Zakka as a signal it wanted to cool tensions that have fueled fears of war, and described his release as "a goodwill gesture."

"This was seen as a de-escalation step from their side, which they expected to be somehow reciprocated from the American side," said the second source, adding that the United States did not take up the overture.

A State Department spokesman declined to address whether Washington had missed an opportunity to engage with Iran after Zakka's release, and said if Tehran wanted to reduce tensions it should free an American citizen.

"If Iran wants to reduce tensions and engage with the United States government, it should make a humanitarian gesture such as releasing one of the innocent American citizens it is holding hostage," the spokesman told Reuters.

Iranian officials declined to discuss whether it was an overture, or what concessions Tehran wants from Washington.

In the month since the release, already tense US-Iranian relations have taken several turns for the worse, including Iran's downing of a US drone, US economic sanctions against the Islamic Republic's supreme leader, and the capture last week of an Iranian supertanker by British forces.

The drone's destruction brought President Donald Trump to the brink of ordering the first overt US military strike on Iranian targets since 1988.

&nbsp;Zakka, a Washington-based information technology expert, was arrested in 2015 while attending a conference in Iran. His information technology company, IJMA3, is funded by private groups and governments, including the United States.

Opportunity

Held at Tehran's notorious Evin Prison, Zakka staged at least six hunger strikes. He was visibly shaken when he arrived in Beirut late on June 11 accompanied by Lebanese security chief Abbas Ibrahim, who had gone to Iran to collect him.

Zakka later told the New York Times he believed his release was a conciliatory signal from Iran toward the United States.

His lawyer, Jason Poblete, represents other prisoners held in Iran and told Reuters he believes that Zakka's release "remains an opportunity for others unlawfully detained in Iran."

"With political will, it is possible. All stakeholders should weigh in more than they have on these matters," he said, referring to the United States and other world powers that agreed on a nuclear deal with Iran in 2015.

Trump has pulled the United States out of the nuclear deal, tightened economic sanctions against Tehran, and built up US military forces in the Gulf.

In a measured initial response to Zakka's release, the US State Department said it was a good day for his family and hoped the move would lead to the release of Americans.

It was a rare moment of agreement between the United States and Iran, but it was not enough to change the dynamic despite Trump's stated willingness to open negotiations with Tehran.

"We are encouraged by the news that Lebanese citizen Nizar Zakka has been released by the Iranian regime and hope that this is a positive sign for Americans wrongfully detained in Iran," a senior administration official told Reuters on July 3.

Washington has demanded Iran release the Americans it is holding, including father and son Siamak and Baquer Namazi; Xiyue Wang, a Chinese-American graduate student at Princeton University who was arrested in 2016; Michael R. White, a Navy veteran imprisoned last year, and Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent missing since 2007.

Several dozen Iranians are being held in US prisons, many of them for breaking sanctions. They include Professor Masoud Soleimani, a stem cell expert who was arrested at Chicago airport in October 2018 for allegedly attempting to export biological materials to Iran in violation of sanctions.

When Zakka was freed, officials in Tehran said his release was partly due to Iran's close ties with Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.

&nbsp; 'Coercive Diplomacy'

While some diplomats and analysts believe Iran badly wants negotiations to ease sanctions that have crippled its economy, it is unclear whether Washington is willing to tiptoe toward talks.

The first step, said former senior US officials, would be to try to de-escalate tensions.

One way might be for US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin not to carry out his June threat to sanction Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, Tehran's prime negotiator.

&nbsp;Visiting New York in April, Zarif proposed a US-Iran prisoner swap and also suggested Tehran could cooperate with Washington on Afghanistan and Iraq, where neither wishes to see a return to civil war or an expansion of the Islamic State militant group whenever the United States withdraws its troops.

Former US Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns told Reuters last month that Trump's actions since withdrawing from the nuclear deal had convinced the Iranians and US allies that the chances of a serious negotiation are increasingly remote.

"This is coercive diplomacy without the diplomacy - in other words, maximum pressure not tethered to clear or realistic goals," said Burns, author of "The Back Channel," a memoir that describes the secret talks he led that paved the way to the 2015 nuclear deal.

Trump himself may be open to talks, but his administration's actions are closing the door, Burns added. "The problem is that they are boxing themselves in rather than...keeping options alive."

Iran's release last month of Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese businessman with US permanent residency, after four years in prison was meant as an opening for US-Iranian talks, according to three Western sources familiar with the issue.

Iran's release last month of Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese businessman with US permanent residency, after four years in prison was meant as an opening for US-Iranian talks, according to three Western sources familiar with the issue. The gesture, however, was not enough for Washington, which did not pursue it. "It was a missed opportunity," one US source said of Zakka's June 11 release and the US decision not to pursue talks. "We should have explored whether there was something there." A second source who is familiar with Iran's thinking and spoke on condition of anonymity said Iran freed Zakka as a signal it wanted to cool tensions that have fueled fears of war, and described his release as "a goodwill gesture." "This was seen as a de-escalation step from their side, which they expected to be somehow reciprocated from the American side," said the second source, adding that the United States did not take up the overture. A State Department spokesman declined to address whether Washington had missed an opportunity to engage with Iran after Zakka's release, and said if Tehran wanted to reduce tensions it should free an American citizen. "If Iran wants to reduce tensions and engage with the United States government, it should make a humanitarian gesture such as releasing one of the innocent American citizens it is holding hostage," the spokesman told Reuters. Iranian officials declined to discuss whether it was an overture, or what concessions Tehran wants from Washington. In the month since the release, already tense US-Iranian relations have taken several turns for the worse, including Iran's downing of a US drone, US economic sanctions against the Islamic Republic's supreme leader, and the capture last week of an Iranian supertanker by British forces. The drone's destruction brought President Donald Trump to the brink of ordering the first overt US military strike on Iranian targets since 1988. Zakka, a Washington-based information technology expert, was arrested in 2015 while attending a conference in Iran. His information technology company, IJMA3, is funded by private groups and governments, including the United States. Opportunity Held at Tehran's notorious Evin Prison, Zakka staged at least six hunger strikes. He was visibly shaken when he arrived in Beirut late on June 11 accompanied by Lebanese security chief Abbas Ibrahim, who had gone to Iran to collect him. Zakka later told the New York Times he believed his release was a conciliatory signal from Iran toward the United States. His lawyer, Jason Poblete, represents other prisoners held in Iran and told Reuters he believes that Zakka's release "remains an opportunity for others unlawfully detained in Iran." "With political will, it is possible. All stakeholders should weigh in more than they have on these matters," he said, referring to the United States and other world powers that agreed on a nuclear deal with Iran in 2015. Trump has pulled the United States out of the nuclear deal, tightened economic sanctions against Tehran, and built up US military forces in the Gulf. In a measured initial response to Zakka's release, the US State Department said it was a good day for his family and hoped the move would lead to the release of Americans. It was a rare moment of agreement between the United States and Iran, but it was not enough to change the dynamic despite Trump's stated willingness to open negotiations with Tehran. "We are encouraged by the news that Lebanese citizen Nizar Zakka has been released by the Iranian regime and hope that this is a positive sign for Americans wrongfully detained in Iran," a senior administration official told Reuters on July 3. Washington has demanded Iran release the Americans it is holding, including father and son Siamak and Baquer Namazi; Xiyue Wang, a Chinese-American graduate student at Princeton University who was arrested in 2016; Michael R. White, a Navy veteran imprisoned last year, and Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent missing since 2007. Several dozen Iranians are being held in US prisons, many of them for breaking sanctions. They include Professor Masoud Soleimani, a stem cell expert who was arrested at Chicago airport in October 2018 for allegedly attempting to export biological materials to Iran in violation of sanctions. When Zakka was freed, officials in Tehran said his release was partly due to Iran's close ties with Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement. 'Coercive Diplomacy' While some diplomats and analysts believe Iran badly wants negotiations to ease sanctions that have crippled its economy, it is unclear whether Washington is willing to tiptoe toward talks. The first step, said former senior US officials, would be to try to de-escalate tensions. One way might be for US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin not to carry out his June threat to sanction Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, Tehran's prime negotiator. Visiting New York in April, Zarif proposed a US-Iran prisoner swap and also suggested Tehran could cooperate with Washington on Afghanistan and Iraq, where neither wishes to see a return to civil war or an expansion of the Islamic State militant group whenever the United States withdraws its troops. Former US Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns told Reuters last month that Trump's actions since withdrawing from the nuclear deal had convinced the Iranians and US allies that the chances of a serious negotiation are increasingly remote. "This is coercive diplomacy without the diplomacy - in other words, maximum pressure not tethered to clear or realistic goals," said Burns, author of "The Back Channel," a memoir that describes the secret talks he led that paved the way to the 2015 nuclear deal. Trump himself may be open to talks, but his administration's actions are closing the door, Burns added. "The problem is that they are boxing themselves in rather than...keeping options alive."

Iran's release of Lebanese prisoner was failed overture to US

The US Treasury placed two <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hezbollah-sees-united-states-war-on-iran-as-unlikely-report-230823">Hezbollah members of Lebanon's</a> parliament on its sanctions blacklist on Tuesday - the first time Washington has taken aim at the Iran-allied group's elected politicians.

Stepping up its effort to build global pressure on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-to-ban-hezbollah-under-anti-terror-laws-199666">powerful Lebanese Shiite movement</a>, the Treasury named MPs Amin Sherri and Muhammad Hasan Raad to a terror-related blacklist, saying that Hezbollah uses its parliamentary power to advance violent activities.

Also placed on the blacklist was Wafiq Safa, a top Hezbollah official close to the movement's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US targeted three officials "who leverage their positions to facilitate Hezbollah and the Iranian regime's malign efforts to undermine Lebanese sovereignty."

"Any distinction between Hezbollah's political and military wings is artificial," he said.

"We call on our allies and partners to designate Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organization."

Pompeo tied the action to the US "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran and its "proxies" in the Middle East, including Hezbollah, which Washington has officially designated a "terrorist group."

However, Washington stopped short of imposing similar sanctions on &nbsp;Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, which Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said were forthcoming in late June.

A senior administration official who insisted on anonymity Tuesday would not confirm any plan to blacklist Zarif, who was crucial in achieving the landmark 2015 nuclear deal.

"We are obviously exploring... various avenues for additional sanctions on Tehran. Obviously Foreign Minister Zarif is a figure of key interest," she said.

It is the first time the US Treasury has placed Hezbollah lawmakers on its blacklist, which forbids US individuals and businesses with a US branch -- including leading international banks -&nbsp;from doing business with those sanctioned.

With the electoral backing of many Lebanese Shiites, Hezbollah won 13 seats out of 128 in the May 6, 2018 general election.

It joined a coalition government formed on January 31, gaining control of three ministries.

But Washington says it will not regard the group's political and military activities as separate from one another.

"It is time, we believe, for other nations around the world to recognize that there is no distinction between Hezbollah's political and military wing," the senior US administration official said.

"To any member of Hezbollah considering running for office, know that you will not be able to hide beneath the cover of political office," she said.

Raad, 64, is the head of the parliamentary bloc of the party and an MP since 1992.

Sherri, 62, is a 17-year Hezbollah veteran of parliament representing Beirut.

Safa, the Treasury said, maintains the group's ties to financiers and allegedly helps arrange the smuggling of weapons and drugs.

The newest sanctions brought to 50 the number of Hezbollah individuals and entities blacklisted by the Treasury since 2017.

They have included bankers and businessmen that Washington says are deeply involved in Hezbollah business activities around the world, allegedly including narcotics trafficking and gun-running.

The sanctions have aimed particularly at companies and individuals who help the group move money throughout the Middle East.

Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayyad told Lebanon's MTV news channel that the new sanctions Tuesday were "a humiliation for the Lebanese people," and called on parliament and the government to issue a formal condemnation.

Lebanese Finance Minister Ali Hasan Khalil meanwhile tweeted that the US sanctions were "unjustified" and "concern all of the Lebanese even if they are directed at Hezbollah."

Pompeo said the US pressure on Iran and Hezbollah was having an effect on the Lebanese group's operations.

"As a result, this designated terrorist organization has been forced to take unprecedented austerity measures. For example, in March 2019, for the first time ever, Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah made a public appeal for financial support."

The US Treasury placed two Hezbollah members of Lebanon's parliament on its sanctions blacklist on Tuesday - the first time Washington has taken aim at the Iran-allied group's elected politicians.

The US Treasury placed two Hezbollah members of Lebanon's parliament on its sanctions blacklist on Tuesday - the first time Washington has taken aim at the Iran-allied group's elected politicians. Stepping up its effort to build global pressure on the powerful Lebanese Shiite movement, the Treasury named MPs Amin Sherri and Muhammad Hasan Raad to a terror-related blacklist, saying that Hezbollah uses its parliamentary power to advance violent activities. Also placed on the blacklist was Wafiq Safa, a top Hezbollah official close to the movement's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US targeted three officials "who leverage their positions to facilitate Hezbollah and the Iranian regime's malign efforts to undermine Lebanese sovereignty." "Any distinction between Hezbollah's political and military wings is artificial," he said. "We call on our allies and partners to designate Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organization." Pompeo tied the action to the US "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran and its "proxies" in the Middle East, including Hezbollah, which Washington has officially designated a "terrorist group." However, Washington stopped short of imposing similar sanctions on Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, which Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said were forthcoming in late June. A senior administration official who insisted on anonymity Tuesday would not confirm any plan to blacklist Zarif, who was crucial in achieving the landmark 2015 nuclear deal. "We are obviously exploring... various avenues for additional sanctions on Tehran. Obviously Foreign Minister Zarif is a figure of key interest," she said. It is the first time the US Treasury has placed Hezbollah lawmakers on its blacklist, which forbids US individuals and businesses with a US branch -- including leading international banks - from doing business with those sanctioned. With the electoral backing of many Lebanese Shiites, Hezbollah won 13 seats out of 128 in the May 6, 2018 general election. It joined a coalition government formed on January 31, gaining control of three ministries. But Washington says it will not regard the group's political and military activities as separate from one another. "It is time, we believe, for other nations around the world to recognize that there is no distinction between Hezbollah's political and military wing," the senior US administration official said. "To any member of Hezbollah considering running for office, know that you will not be able to hide beneath the cover of political office," she said. Raad, 64, is the head of the parliamentary bloc of the party and an MP since 1992. Sherri, 62, is a 17-year Hezbollah veteran of parliament representing Beirut. Safa, the Treasury said, maintains the group's ties to financiers and allegedly helps arrange the smuggling of weapons and drugs. The newest sanctions brought to 50 the number of Hezbollah individuals and entities blacklisted by the Treasury since 2017. They have included bankers and businessmen that Washington says are deeply involved in Hezbollah business activities around the world, allegedly including narcotics trafficking and gun-running. The sanctions have aimed particularly at companies and individuals who help the group move money throughout the Middle East. Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayyad told Lebanon's MTV news channel that the new sanctions Tuesday were "a humiliation for the Lebanese people," and called on parliament and the government to issue a formal condemnation. Lebanese Finance Minister Ali Hasan Khalil meanwhile tweeted that the US sanctions were "unjustified" and "concern all of the Lebanese even if they are directed at Hezbollah." Pompeo said the US pressure on Iran and Hezbollah was having an effect on the Lebanese group's operations. "As a result, this designated terrorist organization has been forced to take unprecedented austerity measures. For example, in March 2019, for the first time ever, Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah made a public appeal for financial support."

In a first, US puts two Hezbollah lawmakers on sanctions blacklist

The United States will use an emergency meeting of the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-iran-nuclear-deal-on-the-brink-of-collapse-234124"> UN nuclear watchdog</a>'s board on Wednesday to raise pressure on Iran over breaches of its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/iran-nuclear-deal-is-hanging-by-a-thread-224862">nuclear deal</a>, but diplomats expect no concrete action as parties to the deal considers their next move.

In the past two weeks, Iran has breached two limits central to the deal, which as a whole was aimed at extending the time Iran would need to obtain enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon, if it chose to, to a year from around 2-3 months.

Watch: Iran announces new breach of nuclear deal

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-announces-new-breach-of-nuclear-deal-233782/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Iran says it is responding to the punishing economic sanctions Washington has imposed on Tehran since it pulled out of the deal a year ago. While Washington says it is open to talks on a more far-reaching deal, Iran says it must first be able to sell as much oil as it did before the U.S. withdrawal.

With the two sides apparently deadlocked, Iran says it will continue to breach limits of the deal one by one until it receives the economic windfall the deal promised. Washington meanwhile is seeking to isolate Iran to force it to negotiate.

"The international community must hold Iran's regime accountable," the United States said in a statement explaining its decision to call the Board of Governors meeting. Any country on the board can call a meeting under International Atomic Energy Agency rules. The meeting begins at 2:30 p.m.&nbsp;

Diplomats from many other countries on the board, however, said that while there was likely to be fiery exchanges between the Iranian and U.S. envoys at the closed-door meeting, they did not expect the board to take any concrete action.

Sanctions Shield

That is partly because while Iran has breached the terms of the deal which the IAEA is policing, the IAEA is not a party to the deal and Iran has not violated the Safeguards Agreement binding it to the agency.

"We did not want this meeting," a European diplomat said, before adding wryly: "It's a chance for everyone to express themselves."

Iran has been calling on the European parties to the deal - France, Britain and Germany - to shield its economy from U.S. sanctions, and they have set up a vehicle for barter trade that will be able to handle small amounts. However, they say there is little they can do to ensure the vital oil sales Iran seeks.

IAEA inspectors verified on July 1 that Iran's stock of enriched uranium had gone over the 202.8 kg limit set by the deal, and on Monday that Iran had enriched uranium beyond the deal's 3.67% purity limit. That is still far below the 20% it enriched to before the deal and the roughly 90% needed to make uranium weapons-grade.

Having warned Iran against breaching the deal, the European parties on Tuesday expressed "deep concern" but stopped short of taking action like initiating a process that could lead to the re-imposition of sanctions lifted under the deal. Instead, they said all parties to the deal should meet urgently.

The United States will use an emergency meeting of the UN nuclear watchdog's board on Wednesday to raise pressure on Iran over breaches of its nuclear deal, but diplomats expect no concrete action as parties to the deal considers their next move.

The United States will use an emergency meeting of the UN nuclear watchdog's board on Wednesday to raise pressure on Iran over breaches of its nuclear deal, but diplomats expect no concrete action as parties to the deal considers their next move. In the past two weeks, Iran has breached two limits central to the deal, which as a whole was aimed at extending the time Iran would need to obtain enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon, if it chose to, to a year from around 2-3 months. Watch: Iran announces new breach of nuclear deal Iran says it is responding to the punishing economic sanctions Washington has imposed on Tehran since it pulled out of the deal a year ago. While Washington says it is open to talks on a more far-reaching deal, Iran says it must first be able to sell as much oil as it did before the U.S. withdrawal. With the two sides apparently deadlocked, Iran says it will continue to breach limits of the deal one by one until it receives the economic windfall the deal promised. Washington meanwhile is seeking to isolate Iran to force it to negotiate. "The international community must hold Iran's regime accountable," the United States said in a statement explaining its decision to call the Board of Governors meeting. Any country on the board can call a meeting under International Atomic Energy Agency rules. The meeting begins at 2:30 p.m. Diplomats from many other countries on the board, however, said that while there was likely to be fiery exchanges between the Iranian and U.S. envoys at the closed-door meeting, they did not expect the board to take any concrete action. Sanctions Shield That is partly because while Iran has breached the terms of the deal which the IAEA is policing, the IAEA is not a party to the deal and Iran has not violated the Safeguards Agreement binding it to the agency. "We did not want this meeting," a European diplomat said, before adding wryly: "It's a chance for everyone to express themselves." Iran has been calling on the European parties to the deal - France, Britain and Germany - to shield its economy from U.S. sanctions, and they have set up a vehicle for barter trade that will be able to handle small amounts. However, they say there is little they can do to ensure the vital oil sales Iran seeks. IAEA inspectors verified on July 1 that Iran's stock of enriched uranium had gone over the 202.8 kg limit set by the deal, and on Monday that Iran had enriched uranium beyond the deal's 3.67% purity limit. That is still far below the 20% it enriched to before the deal and the roughly 90% needed to make uranium weapons-grade. Having warned Iran against breaching the deal, the European parties on Tuesday expressed "deep concern" but stopped short of taking action like initiating a process that could lead to the re-imposition of sanctions lifted under the deal. Instead, they said all parties to the deal should meet urgently.

US and Iran to clash over nuclear deal breach at UN watchdog meeting

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-offers-full-support-to-us-ambassador-trump-lashes-out-at-theresa-may-after-leak-of-damning-cables-234128">US President Donald Trump</a> discussed the standoff over Iran's nuclear program with his French counterpart <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-president-emmanuel-macrons-advisor-heads-to-iran-to-calm-nuclear-tensions-234122">Emmanuel Macron</a> on Monday, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-held-up-my-end-of-the-bargain-dont-want-to-go-to-the-white-house-rapinoe-after-winning-womens-world-cup-234154">White House</a> said.

The two leaders 'discussed ongoing efforts to ensure that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-strongly-urges-iran-to-stop-nuclear-enrichment-234076">Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon</a> and to end Iran's destabilizing behaviour in the Middle East,'&nbsp;the White House said in a statement.

Iran on Monday breached a uranium enrichment cap set by a 2015 nuclear deal that the Trump administration abandoned last year.

Washington has imposed punishing sanctions on Tehran, and tensions between the two sides have risen further amid Iran's downing of an American drone and attacks on tanker ships the US has blamed on the Islamic republic.

Iran -- which also passed a 300-kilogram limit on enriched uranium reserves this month -- says it is not violating the deal, citing terms of the agreement allowing one side to temporarily abandon some commitments if it deems the other side is not respecting its part of the accord.

US President Donald Trump discussed the standoff over Iran's nuclear program with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Monday, the White House said. The two leaders 'discussed ongoing efforts to ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon and to end Iran's destabilizing behaviour in the Middle East,' the White House said in a statement.

US President Donald Trump discussed the standoff over Iran's nuclear program with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Monday, the White House said. The two leaders 'discussed ongoing efforts to ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon and to end Iran's destabilizing behaviour in the Middle East,' the White House said in a statement. Iran on Monday breached a uranium enrichment cap set by a 2015 nuclear deal that the Trump administration abandoned last year. Washington has imposed punishing sanctions on Tehran, and tensions between the two sides have risen further amid Iran's downing of an American drone and attacks on tanker ships the US has blamed on the Islamic republic. Iran -- which also passed a 300-kilogram limit on enriched uranium reserves this month -- says it is not violating the deal, citing terms of the agreement allowing one side to temporarily abandon some commitments if it deems the other side is not respecting its part of the accord.

US President Donald Trump has discussed Iran nuclear standoff with Macron: White House

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tuesday that Israel's fighter jets "can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-has-discussed-iran-nuclear-standoff-with-macron-white-house-234187">Iran</a>," in his latest comments directed at his country's arch-foe.

While visiting an air force base where he inspected F-35 jets made by US firm Lockheed Martin, Netanyahu issued a video with one of the planes behind him.

"Recently, Iran has been threatening the destruction of Israel," he said at the Nevatim air base in southern Israel.

"It would do well to remember that these planes can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran and certainly Syria."

Netanyahu has issued a series of statements against Iran in recent weeks.

They follow the Islamic republic's decision to begin breaching some commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and attacks in the Gulf that Israel and the United States blame on Iran.

On Sunday, Netanyahu called an announcement by Iran that it would <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-uranium-enrichment-passes-45-exceeding-deal-cap-234015">exceed the uranium enrichment cap</a> set by the troubled accord a "very dangerous step".

He urged European countries to sanction Iran in response.

On Monday, Iran breached the enrichment cap as it seeks to press other parties into keeping their side of the bargain under the nuclear deal.

Netanyahu opposed the accord and urged US President Donald Trump to withdraw from it, which he eventually did.

Despite having opposed the deal, Netanyahu is now calling on European nations to enforce its parameters as he and the United States seek to further pressure Iran.

Israel has also carried out hundreds of strikes in neighbouring Syria against what it says are Iranian and Hezbollah military targets.

It has vowed to keep Iran, which has backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his country's civil war, from entrenching itself militarily there.

In May 2018, Israel's military said it had become the first country to use F-35s in combat.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tuesday that Israel's fighter jets "can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran," in his latest comments directed at his country's arch-foe.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Tuesday that Israel's fighter jets "can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran," in his latest comments directed at his country's arch-foe. While visiting an air force base where he inspected F-35 jets made by US firm Lockheed Martin, Netanyahu issued a video with one of the planes behind him. "Recently, Iran has been threatening the destruction of Israel," he said at the Nevatim air base in southern Israel. "It would do well to remember that these planes can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran and certainly Syria." Netanyahu has issued a series of statements against Iran in recent weeks. They follow the Islamic republic's decision to begin breaching some commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers and attacks in the Gulf that Israel and the United States blame on Iran. On Sunday, Netanyahu called an announcement by Iran that it would exceed the uranium enrichment cap set by the troubled accord a "very dangerous step". He urged European countries to sanction Iran in response. On Monday, Iran breached the enrichment cap as it seeks to press other parties into keeping their side of the bargain under the nuclear deal. Netanyahu opposed the accord and urged US President Donald Trump to withdraw from it, which he eventually did. Despite having opposed the deal, Netanyahu is now calling on European nations to enforce its parameters as he and the United States seek to further pressure Iran. Israel has also carried out hundreds of strikes in neighbouring Syria against what it says are Iranian and Hezbollah military targets. It has vowed to keep Iran, which has backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his country's civil war, from entrenching itself militarily there. In May 2018, Israel's military said it had become the first country to use F-35s in combat.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu warns Israel's jets 'can reach' Iran

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned Iran on Tuesday that it is within range of Israeli air strikes, citing what he described as Iranian threats to destroy Israel.

Netanyahu warns Iran it is within range of Israeli air strikes

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning -09th July 2019

Iran has pressed Britain to release the captured Iranian oil tanker and called its seizure "maritime piracy", Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Monday. British Royal Marines impounded the tanker in Gibraltar on Thursday on suspicion it was carrying oil to Syria in violation of European Union sanctions. Iran denies the vessel was headed to Syria, where the government of President Bashar al-Assad is an ally of Tehran.

Iran urges UK to free captured oil tanker, calling it 'maritime piracy'

Iran to raise uranium enrichment limit from 3.6% to 5%

Iran has stated that it will breach the 2015 nuclear deal clauses one by one. Watch this video to know more.

Abbas Araqchi clarifies oil tanker wasn't Syria-Bound

Iran Denies Syria-Bound Tanker Charges

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning -8th July 2019

Iran to lift Uranium enrichment limit, Uranium limit to surpass 3.6%.

Iran to lift Uranium enrichment limit

Iran announces further reductions of Nuclear deal commitment

Daniele Pagani, West Asia Bureau Chief on new Breach of Nuclear deal

The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-unions-donald-tusk-asks-european-parliament-to-approve-von-der-leyen-233027"> European Union</a> said Monday it was "extremely concerned" by Iranian plans to breach the uranium enrichment cap set by the 2015 nuclear deal, calling on Tehran to reverse course.

Iran said Sunday it would breach the cap "in a few hours" and on Monday announced it had passed 4.5 percent enrichment well above the 3.7 percent limit.

It first announced its intention to reduce compliance with the deal in May, a year after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-seeks-to-override-supreme-court-ruling-on-census-233448">US President Donald Trump</a> unilaterally withdrew from the pact and reimposed crippling sanctions.

"We strongly urge Iran to stop and reverse all activities that are inconsistent with the commitments made under the JCPOA," EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters.&nbsp;

The JCPOA or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action gave Iran relief from punishing sanctions in return for setting strict limits on its nuclear activities.

The remaining signatories &nbsp;Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and orld say the deal is the best way to stop Iran developing atomic weapons.

"We are extremely concerned by the announcement made over the weekend by Iran regarding the start of the uranium enrichment above the limit of 3.7 percent," Kocijancic said.

The EU will await a report from the UN's atomic energy authority and consult other signatories to the deal before deciding on future steps, Kocijancic said.

Britain, France, and Germany have sought to save the deal by creating a special mechanism called INSTEX to sidestep US sanctions so Iran can keep trading.

But the mechanism is still not operational six months after its launch and Tehran has grown increasingly frustrated at Europe's failure to act effectively.

Brussels officials see the latest announcements from Iran as a bid to pressure the West into doing more to help.

"The situation is extremely difficult for them domestically they are running out of humanitarian supplies," an EU source told AFP.

"They want to preserve the agreement, but they want the benefits they were promised."

The steps Iran has taken so far increasing enrichment and breaching a limit on uranium reserves can be reversed, the source said.

However, if Iran went above five percent of enrichment, the situation would be more serious, officials warn.

The European Union said Monday it was "extremely concerned" by Iranian plans to breach the uranium enrichment cap set by the 2015 nuclear deal, calling on Tehran to reverse course.

The European Union said Monday it was "extremely concerned" by Iranian plans to breach the uranium enrichment cap set by the 2015 nuclear deal, calling on Tehran to reverse course. Iran said Sunday it would breach the cap "in a few hours" and on Monday announced it had passed 4.5 percent enrichment well above the 3.7 percent limit. It first announced its intention to reduce compliance with the deal in May, a year after US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the pact and reimposed crippling sanctions. "We strongly urge Iran to stop and reverse all activities that are inconsistent with the commitments made under the JCPOA," EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters. The JCPOA or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action gave Iran relief from punishing sanctions in return for setting strict limits on its nuclear activities. The remaining signatories Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and orld say the deal is the best way to stop Iran developing atomic weapons. "We are extremely concerned by the announcement made over the weekend by Iran regarding the start of the uranium enrichment above the limit of 3.7 percent," Kocijancic said. The EU will await a report from the UN's atomic energy authority and consult other signatories to the deal before deciding on future steps, Kocijancic said. Britain, France, and Germany have sought to save the deal by creating a special mechanism called INSTEX to sidestep US sanctions so Iran can keep trading. But the mechanism is still not operational six months after its launch and Tehran has grown increasingly frustrated at Europe's failure to act effectively. Brussels officials see the latest announcements from Iran as a bid to pressure the West into doing more to help. "The situation is extremely difficult for them domestically they are running out of humanitarian supplies," an EU source told AFP. "They want to preserve the agreement, but they want the benefits they were promised." The steps Iran has taken so far increasing enrichment and breaching a limit on uranium reserves can be reversed, the source said. However, if Iran went above five percent of enrichment, the situation would be more serious, officials warn.

European Union 'strongly urges' Iran to stop nuclear enrichment

Oil prices steadied on Monday as tensions over Iran's nuclear program were tempered by global economic growth concerns and consequently oil demand.

Brent crude futures were down 1 cent by 1122 GMT at $64.22 a barrel. US&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/post-budget-sensex-down-over-630-points-pnb-stocks-falls-further-233908">West Texas Intermediate</a> (WTI) was down 2 cents at $57.49.

Iran on Monday threatened to restart deactivated centrifuges and step up its enrichment of uranium to 20% in a move that further threatens the 2015 nuclear agreement that Washington abandoned last year.

Washington has imposed sanctions that eliminate benefits Iran was meant to receive in return for agreeing to curbs on its nuclear program under the 2015 deal with world powers. The confrontation has brought the United States and Iran close to the brink of conflict, with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump calling off air strikes last month minutes before impact.

On Sunday Trump issued another warning over Iran's nuclear activities. "They'd better be careful," he said.

However, oil prices continue to be pressured by lingering fears over demand.

"That the market reacts so little to the tense situation in the Middle East is a reflection of a very well-supplied market in general and a very relaxed market," said SEB chief commodities analyst Bjarne Schieldrop.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-jab-at-united-states-china-vice-president-wang-qishan-says-world-cannot-shut-china-out-233914">US-China trade</a> war has dampened prospects for global economic growth and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-prices-tread-water-as-market-eyes-global-risks-233891">oil demand</a>.

However, lack of concrete progress in resolving the acrimonious trade war between the United States and China means the bar could be very high for the US Federal Reserve not to lower borrowing costs at its July 30-31 policy meeting.

Elsewhere, Japan's core machinery orders fell for the first time in four months in May, posting the biggest monthly drop in eight months in a worrying sign that global trade tensions are taking a toll on corporate investment.

"Concern for global growth is at the back of the mind of the whole market all the time these days," SEB's Schieldrop said.

Strong US economic data also put a floor under prices. US job growth rebounded strongly in June, with government payrolls surging, a closely watched employment report showed on Friday, suggesting that May's sharp slowdown in hiring was probably a one-off.

Employers added 224,000 jobs last month, the most in five months.

The owner of Britain's biggest oil pipeline, Ineos, on Sunday said it had started to reduce flows on the Forties pipeline system to about 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) until Tuesday to repair a processing unit at Scotland's Kinneil plant.

The pipeline system typically pumps about 450,000 bpd.

Meanwhile, US energy companies this week reduced the number of oil rigs operating for the first time in three weeks as drillers follow through on plans to cut spending this year.

Oil prices steadied on Monday as tensions over Iran's nuclear program were tempered by global economic growth concerns and consequently oil demand. Brent crude futures were down 1 cent by 1122 GMT at $64.

Oil prices steadied on Monday as tensions over Iran's nuclear program were tempered by global economic growth concerns and consequently oil demand. Brent crude futures were down 1 cent by 1122 GMT at $64.22 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was down 2 cents at $57.49. Iran on Monday threatened to restart deactivated centrifuges and step up its enrichment of uranium to 20% in a move that further threatens the 2015 nuclear agreement that Washington abandoned last year. Washington has imposed sanctions that eliminate benefits Iran was meant to receive in return for agreeing to curbs on its nuclear program under the 2015 deal with world powers. The confrontation has brought the United States and Iran close to the brink of conflict, with US President Donald Trump calling off air strikes last month minutes before impact. On Sunday Trump issued another warning over Iran's nuclear activities. "They'd better be careful," he said. However, oil prices continue to be pressured by lingering fears over demand. "That the market reacts so little to the tense situation in the Middle East is a reflection of a very well-supplied market in general and a very relaxed market," said SEB chief commodities analyst Bjarne Schieldrop. The US-China trade war has dampened prospects for global economic growth and oil demand. However, lack of concrete progress in resolving the acrimonious trade war between the United States and China means the bar could be very high for the US Federal Reserve not to lower borrowing costs at its July 30-31 policy meeting. Elsewhere, Japan's core machinery orders fell for the first time in four months in May, posting the biggest monthly drop in eight months in a worrying sign that global trade tensions are taking a toll on corporate investment. "Concern for global growth is at the back of the mind of the whole market all the time these days," SEB's Schieldrop said. Strong US economic data also put a floor under prices. US job growth rebounded strongly in June, with government payrolls surging, a closely watched employment report showed on Friday, suggesting that May's sharp slowdown in hiring was probably a one-off. Employers added 224,000 jobs last month, the most in five months. The owner of Britain's biggest oil pipeline, Ineos, on Sunday said it had started to reduce flows on the Forties pipeline system to about 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) until Tuesday to repair a processing unit at Scotland's Kinneil plant. The pipeline system typically pumps about 450,000 bpd. Meanwhile, US energy companies this week reduced the number of oil rigs operating for the first time in three weeks as drillers follow through on plans to cut spending this year.

Oil steadies as demand concern counters Middle East tensions

US President Donald Trump warned <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-britain-germany-strongly-urges-iran-to-halt-uranium-enrichment-233803">Iran over its imminent breach</a> of a uranium enrichment cap.

"Iran better be careful, because you enrich for one reason, and I won't tell you what that reason is. But it's no good. They better be careful," he told reporters in Morristown, New Jersey.

Trump's top diplomat, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, earlier Sunday said Iran will face <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-calls-iran-plan-to-breach-uranium-cap-dangerous-step-233785">further sanctions in response</a> to the expected breach of the cap set by an endangered nuclear deal reached with international powers but from which the United States withdrew last year.

The 3.67 per cent enrichment limit set in the agreement is far below the more than 90 per cent level required for a nuclear warhead.

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Iran had said Sunday it was set to breach the uranium enrichment cap set by an endangered nuclear deal within hours as it seeks to press other parties into keeping their side of the bargain.

The Rouhani-led government&nbsp;also threatened to abandon more commitments unless a solution is found with the remaining parties to the landmark 2015 agreement after Washington unilaterally pulled out.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted Sunday that Iran would face "further isolation and sanctions", adding to a raft of biting economic measures imposed by Washington, and President Donald Trump warned that Iran "better be careful."

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Iran’s latest expansion of its nuclear program will lead to further isolation and sanctions. Nations should restore the longstanding standard of no enrichment for Iran’s nuclear program. Iran’s regime, armed with nuclear weapons, would pose an even greater danger to the world.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1147939911854632962?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The 2015 deal was reached between Iran and six world powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, the United States and Russia - and saw Tehran agree to drastically scale down its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

US President Donald Trump warned Iran over its imminent breach of a uranium enrichment cap. "Iran better be careful, because you enrich for one reason, and I won't tell you what that reason is.

US President Donald Trump warned Iran over its imminent breach of a uranium enrichment cap. "Iran better be careful, because you enrich for one reason, and I won't tell you what that reason is. But it's no good. They better be careful," he told reporters in Morristown, New Jersey. Trump's top diplomat, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, earlier Sunday said Iran will face further sanctions in response to the expected breach of the cap set by an endangered nuclear deal reached with international powers but from which the United States withdrew last year. The 3.67 per cent enrichment limit set in the agreement is far below the more than 90 per cent level required for a nuclear warhead. Iran had said Sunday it was set to breach the uranium enrichment cap set by an endangered nuclear deal within hours as it seeks to press other parties into keeping their side of the bargain. The Rouhani-led government also threatened to abandon more commitments unless a solution is found with the remaining parties to the landmark 2015 agreement after Washington unilaterally pulled out. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted Sunday that Iran would face "further isolation and sanctions", adding to a raft of biting economic measures imposed by Washington, and President Donald Trump warned that Iran "better be careful." Iran’s latest expansion of its nuclear program will lead to further isolation and sanctions. Nations should restore the longstanding standard of no enrichment for Iran’s nuclear program. Iran’s regime, armed with nuclear weapons, would pose an even greater danger to the world. — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) July 7, 2019 × The 2015 deal was reached between Iran and six world powers - Britain, China, France, Germany, the United States and Russia - and saw Tehran agree to drastically scale down its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

Iran better be careful, warns Trump on breaching uranium enrichment cap

Iran has said it increased Uranium enrichment. Japan concerned over Iran Nuclear Move and said to return immediately to commitment.

Return Immediately to commitment; Japan on Iran Nuclear move

No end to Iran-U.S. Tensions; Is a conflict imminent? To know more watch the video

No end to Iran-U.S. Tensions; Is a conflict imminent?

Iran Shifts From Patience to Confrontation

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/gold-prices-subdued-on-firmer-dollar-fed-meeting-in-focus-227905">Gold prices</a> rose on Monday, shaking off early losses to consolidate above the $1,400 pivot, as focus shifted to global growth concerns and interest rate cuts by major central banks.

Spot gold was up 0.5% at $1,406.79 per ounce, as of 0721 GMT. US &nbsp;gold futures climbed 0.6% to $1,408.90 an ounce.

Also helping gold, the dollar eased from multi-week highs and global stock markets were in red, helping the metal reverse course following a more than 1% fall on Friday after strong US jobs data lowered the likelihood of an aggressive rate cut by the US Federal Reserve.

"Despite the strong (US jobs) numbers, the market is expecting a rate cut, just not as aggressive it would have been. We are still in a rate easing cycle right now," said Howie Lee, an economist at OCBC Bank.

"Additionally, $1,400 is a pretty strong support level for gold. Also, growth remains weak globally and we have geopolitical tension between the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/us-iran-tensions-and-why-india-needs-to-step-up-its-game-230035">US and Iran</a>. Overall factors are still supportive of higher gold prices," he added.

US non-farm payrolls rebounded in June to 224,000, the most in five months, data showed on Friday, beating economists' consensus estimate of 160,000.

Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is expected to provide further cues on the near-term outlook for monetary policy this week at his semi-annual testimony to the US Congress on the economy.

However, persistent moderate wage gains and mounting evidence the economy was losing momentum could still encourage the Fed to cut interest rates this month.

A rate cut by the Fed could also prompt China's central bank to cut its benchmark policy rate for the first time in four years to support the slowing economy, analysts say.

Lower interest rates would support gold because they reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.

Also on investors' radar is US-Iran tensions, with Tehran saying on Sunday it will shortly boost its uranium enrichment above a cap set by a landmark 2015 nuclear deal, prompting a warning 'to be careful' from US President Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, holdings of SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, fell 0.18% to 796.97 tonnes on Friday from 798.44 tonnes on Wednesday.

On the technical front, spot gold may retest a resistance at $1,439 per ounce and as long as the metal stays above the support at $1,387, it may resume its uptrend towards $1,497, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao.

Among other precious metals, silver gained 0.6% to $15.06 per ounce, while palladium dipped 0.3% to $1,562.41.

Platinum rose 0.7% to $809.26, edging away from a more than one-week low touched in the previous session.

Gold prices rose on Monday, shaking off early losses to consolidate above the $1,400 pivot, as focus shifted to global growth concerns and interest rate cuts by major central banks.

Gold prices rose on Monday, shaking off early losses to consolidate above the $1,400 pivot, as focus shifted to global growth concerns and interest rate cuts by major central banks. Spot gold was up 0.5% at $1,406.79 per ounce, as of 0721 GMT. US gold futures climbed 0.6% to $1,408.90 an ounce. Also helping gold, the dollar eased from multi-week highs and global stock markets were in red, helping the metal reverse course following a more than 1% fall on Friday after strong US jobs data lowered the likelihood of an aggressive rate cut by the US Federal Reserve. "Despite the strong (US jobs) numbers, the market is expecting a rate cut, just not as aggressive it would have been. We are still in a rate easing cycle right now," said Howie Lee, an economist at OCBC Bank. "Additionally, $1,400 is a pretty strong support level for gold. Also, growth remains weak globally and we have geopolitical tension between the US and Iran. Overall factors are still supportive of higher gold prices," he added. US non-farm payrolls rebounded in June to 224,000, the most in five months, data showed on Friday, beating economists' consensus estimate of 160,000. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is expected to provide further cues on the near-term outlook for monetary policy this week at his semi-annual testimony to the US Congress on the economy. However, persistent moderate wage gains and mounting evidence the economy was losing momentum could still encourage the Fed to cut interest rates this month. A rate cut by the Fed could also prompt China's central bank to cut its benchmark policy rate for the first time in four years to support the slowing economy, analysts say. Lower interest rates would support gold because they reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion. Also on investors' radar is US-Iran tensions, with Tehran saying on Sunday it will shortly boost its uranium enrichment above a cap set by a landmark 2015 nuclear deal, prompting a warning 'to be careful' from US President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, holdings of SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, fell 0.18% to 796.97 tonnes on Friday from 798.44 tonnes on Wednesday. On the technical front, spot gold may retest a resistance at $1,439 per ounce and as long as the metal stays above the support at $1,387, it may resume its uptrend towards $1,497, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao. Among other precious metals, silver gained 0.6% to $15.06 per ounce, while palladium dipped 0.3% to $1,562.41. Platinum rose 0.7% to $809.26, edging away from a more than one-week low touched in the previous session.

Gold rises as focus returns to growth concerns, Fed rate cut

Japan concerned over Iran Nuclear Move

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - July 07th, 2019

Iran to raise Uranium enrichment level from 3.67% to 5%. Iran set to announce further reductions of N deal. Iran President talks to french counterpart on phone. Watch this video to know more.

Iran to increase Uranium enrichment to 5%

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday told his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani of his "strong concern over the risk of weakening the nuclear agreement" and of the consequences that would follow, his office announced.

In a telephone conversation Macron said he would consult with the Iranian authorities and international partners concerned with a view to resuming talks involving all concerned parties to bring about the "necessary de-escalation" of the situation, the Elysee palace added.

A top advisor to Iran's supreme leader has hinted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-to-announce-more-cuts-to-nuclear-deal-commitments-on-sunday-report-233659">Tehran could boost its uranium enrichment</a> to five per cent for "peaceful" aims, ahead of deadline it set for world powers to save a landmark 2015 nuclear deal.

Iran is acting on its May 8 threat to suspend from Sunday parts of the agreement in response to US President Donald Trump's reimposition of crippling sanctions after withdrawing from the deal in May last year.

The accord capped Iran's enrichment maximum at 3.67 per cent, sufficient for power generation but far below the more than 90 per cent level required for a nuclear weapon.&nbsp;

Uranium enrichment "will increase as much as needed for our peaceful activities," Ali Akbar Velayati, international affairs advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in an interview published Friday on the leader's official website.

"For Bushehr nuclear reactor we need five per cent enrichment and it is a completely peaceful goal," he added.

Watch:&nbsp;We will enrich uranium to ‘any amount we want’, says Iran

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Bushehr is Iran's only nuclear power station and is currently running on imported fuel from Russia that is closely monitored by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency.

On May 8, Iran announced it would no longer respect the limits set on the size of its stockpiles of enriched uranium and heavy water, and threatened to abandon further nuclear commitments, including exceeding the agreed uranium enrichment maximum from July 7.&nbsp;

It has also threatened to resume building from that date a heavy water reactor -- capable of one day producing plutonium -- in Arak in central Iran, a project that had been mothballed under the deal.

The move comes in response to what Iran deems a failure by the remaining parties to the deal -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- to provide Tehran with relief from the US sanctions.

"The US has directly and Europeans indirectly violated" the deal, said Velayati.

"We will react proportionally the more they violate it."

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday told his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani of his "strong concern over the risk of weakening the nuclear agreement" and of the consequences that would follow, his office announced.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday told his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani of his "strong concern over the risk of weakening the nuclear agreement" and of the consequences that would follow, his office announced. In a telephone conversation Macron said he would consult with the Iranian authorities and international partners concerned with a view to resuming talks involving all concerned parties to bring about the "necessary de-escalation" of the situation, the Elysee palace added. A top advisor to Iran's supreme leader has hinted Tehran could boost its uranium enrichment to five per cent for "peaceful" aims, ahead of deadline it set for world powers to save a landmark 2015 nuclear deal. Iran is acting on its May 8 threat to suspend from Sunday parts of the agreement in response to US President Donald Trump's reimposition of crippling sanctions after withdrawing from the deal in May last year. The accord capped Iran's enrichment maximum at 3.67 per cent, sufficient for power generation but far below the more than 90 per cent level required for a nuclear weapon. Uranium enrichment "will increase as much as needed for our peaceful activities," Ali Akbar Velayati, international affairs advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in an interview published Friday on the leader's official website. "For Bushehr nuclear reactor we need five per cent enrichment and it is a completely peaceful goal," he added. Watch: We will enrich uranium to ‘any amount we want’, says Iran Bushehr is Iran's only nuclear power station and is currently running on imported fuel from Russia that is closely monitored by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency. On May 8, Iran announced it would no longer respect the limits set on the size of its stockpiles of enriched uranium and heavy water, and threatened to abandon further nuclear commitments, including exceeding the agreed uranium enrichment maximum from July 7. It has also threatened to resume building from that date a heavy water reactor -- capable of one day producing plutonium -- in Arak in central Iran, a project that had been mothballed under the deal. The move comes in response to what Iran deems a failure by the remaining parties to the deal -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- to provide Tehran with relief from the US sanctions. "The US has directly and Europeans indirectly violated" the deal, said Velayati. "We will react proportionally the more they violate it."

France, Iran to resume talks over nuclear deal and its consequences

Iran has stated that it will breach the uranium enrichment level in violation of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal. Watch this video to know more.

Iran announces new breach of nuclear deal

Iran said on Sunday it is fully prepared to enrich uranium at any level and with any amount, in further defiance of US efforts to squeeze the country with sanctions and force it to renegotiate a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

In a news conference broadcast live, senior Iranian officials said Tehran would keep reducing its commitments every 60 days unless signatories of the pact moved to protect it from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-to-begin-enriching-uranium-beyond-367-in-a-few-hours-official-233732">US sanctions</a>.

"In a few hours the technical process will come to an end and the enrichment beyond 3.67% will begin," said Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation. &nbsp;

"And tomorrow early in the morning, when the IAEA (UN&nbsp;nuclear watchdog) takes the sample we would have gone beyond 3.67%."

Under the pact, Iran can enrich uranium to 3.67% fissile material, well below the 20% it was reaching before the deal and the roughly 90% suitable for a nuclear weapon.

Kamalvandi said Iran would enrich uranium for use in fuelling its Bushehr power plant, to the level of 5%, confirming what Reuters reported on Saturday.

"We are fully prepared to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-to-announce-more-cuts-to-nuclear-deal-commitments-on-sunday-report-233659">enrich uranium</a> at any level and with any amount," he said.

Iran shows no sign of caving in to pressure from US&nbsp;President Donald Trump in a confrontation that has taken on a military dimension, with Washington blaming Tehran for attacks on oil tankers, and Iran shooting down a US drone, prompting aborted US air strikes.

Long-tense relations between Tehran and Washington took a turn for the worse in May 2018 when Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal reached before he took office, and reimposed sanctions.

Trump argues that the deal is too weak because some of its terms are not permanent, and because it does not cover non-nuclear issues such as Iran’s ballistic missile programme and regional aspirations.

Tehran pressures European powers&nbsp;

Iran's announcement challenging Washington is a test of European diplomacy. The Europeans, who opposed last year’s decision by Trump to abandon the agreement, had pleaded with Iran to keep within its parameters.

Tehran has expressed frustration over what it says is the failure of European parties to the agreement to salvage the pact by protecting Iran's economic interests from US&nbsp;sanctions.

"European countries have failed to uphold their commitments and they are also responsible," Abbas Araqchi, Iran's senior nuclear negotiator, told the news conference in Tehran.

"The doors of diplomacy are open but what matters are new initiatives which are required."

In a sign of heightening Western concern, French President Emmanuel Macron said he and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had agreed to seek conditions for a resumption of dialogue on the Iranian nuclear question by July 15.

Under the 2015 deal between Iran and six powers, most international sanctions against Tehran were lifted in return for limitations on its nuclear work.

Those restrictions were aimed at extending the time Iran would need to produce a nuclear bomb, if it chose to, to a year from roughly two to three months.

Iran says its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes, such as power generation, and not to make bombs.

Iran's main demand - in talks with the European parties to the deal and as a precondition to any talks with the United States - is to be allowed to sell its oil at the levels before Washington pulled out of the agreement and restored sanctions.

Iranian crude exports were around 300,000 barrels per day or less in late June, industry sources said, a fraction of the more than 2.5 million bpd Iran shipped in April 2018, the month before Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal.

Israel's energy minister described as moderate on Sunday the announced increase of Iranian uranium enrichment but accused Tehran of breaking internationally agreed limitations on its nuclear projects and moving towards a potential bomb.

"It means ... that it is brushing off the red lines that were agreed (and) that it has begun its march, a march that is not simple, towards nuclear weaponry," Yuval Steinitz, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet, told Israel's Ynet TV.

Iran said on Sunday it is fully prepared to enrich uranium at any level and with any amount, in further defiance of US efforts to squeeze the country with sanctions and force it to renegotiate a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

Iran said on Sunday it is fully prepared to enrich uranium at any level and with any amount, in further defiance of US efforts to squeeze the country with sanctions and force it to renegotiate a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. In a news conference broadcast live, senior Iranian officials said Tehran would keep reducing its commitments every 60 days unless signatories of the pact moved to protect it from US sanctions. "In a few hours the technical process will come to an end and the enrichment beyond 3.67% will begin," said Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation. "And tomorrow early in the morning, when the IAEA (UN nuclear watchdog) takes the sample we would have gone beyond 3.67%." Under the pact, Iran can enrich uranium to 3.67% fissile material, well below the 20% it was reaching before the deal and the roughly 90% suitable for a nuclear weapon. Kamalvandi said Iran would enrich uranium for use in fuelling its Bushehr power plant, to the level of 5%, confirming what Reuters reported on Saturday. "We are fully prepared to enrich uranium at any level and with any amount," he said. Iran shows no sign of caving in to pressure from US President Donald Trump in a confrontation that has taken on a military dimension, with Washington blaming Tehran for attacks on oil tankers, and Iran shooting down a US drone, prompting aborted US air strikes. Long-tense relations between Tehran and Washington took a turn for the worse in May 2018 when Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal reached before he took office, and reimposed sanctions. Trump argues that the deal is too weak because some of its terms are not permanent, and because it does not cover non-nuclear issues such as Iran’s ballistic missile programme and regional aspirations. Tehran pressures European powers Iran's announcement challenging Washington is a test of European diplomacy. The Europeans, who opposed last year’s decision by Trump to abandon the agreement, had pleaded with Iran to keep within its parameters. Tehran has expressed frustration over what it says is the failure of European parties to the agreement to salvage the pact by protecting Iran's economic interests from US sanctions. "European countries have failed to uphold their commitments and they are also responsible," Abbas Araqchi, Iran's senior nuclear negotiator, told the news conference in Tehran. "The doors of diplomacy are open but what matters are new initiatives which are required." In a sign of heightening Western concern, French President Emmanuel Macron said he and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had agreed to seek conditions for a resumption of dialogue on the Iranian nuclear question by July 15. Under the 2015 deal between Iran and six powers, most international sanctions against Tehran were lifted in return for limitations on its nuclear work. Those restrictions were aimed at extending the time Iran would need to produce a nuclear bomb, if it chose to, to a year from roughly two to three months. Iran says its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes, such as power generation, and not to make bombs. Iran's main demand - in talks with the European parties to the deal and as a precondition to any talks with the United States - is to be allowed to sell its oil at the levels before Washington pulled out of the agreement and restored sanctions. Iranian crude exports were around 300,000 barrels per day or less in late June, industry sources said, a fraction of the more than 2.5 million bpd Iran shipped in April 2018, the month before Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal. Israel's energy minister described as moderate on Sunday the announced increase of Iranian uranium enrichment but accused Tehran of breaking internationally agreed limitations on its nuclear projects and moving towards a potential bomb. "It means ... that it is brushing off the red lines that were agreed (and) that it has begun its march, a march that is not simple, towards nuclear weaponry," Yuval Steinitz, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet, told Israel's Ynet TV.

Iran says it will enrich uranium 'at any level', challenging US

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