Iranian prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for several suspects arrested last year for spying for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-underestimating-russias-hybrid-warfare-pentagon-white-paper-232075">United States</a> in military and nuclear bodies, state media reported on Tuesday, as tensions rise with Washington over Tehran's nuclear programme.

Iran said in August it had arrested "tens of spies" in state bodies, many of whom were dual nationals.

In June, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-oil-sanctions-wont-go-without-response-iran-213205">Iran</a> said it executed a former contract employee of the defence ministry aerospace body on charges of spying for the US Central Intelligence Agency.

Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said an unspecified number of suspects, arrested less than a year ago, faced possible death sentences in military tribunals, state television reported.

"Two of the defendants, who were not military, have received long prison terms," Esmaili added, without giving details.

Iran announced on Monday it had amassed more low-enriched uranium than permitted under a 2015 nuclear deal, a move denounced by President Donald Trump as "playing with fire" amid concerns about deepening US-Iranian confrontation.

The initiative marked Tehran's first major shift from the provisions of the pact since the United States pulled out of it more than a year ago.

However, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the move was not a violation of the accord, arguing that Iran was exercising its right to respond to the US walkout.

Iranian prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for several suspects arrested last year for spying for the United States in military and nuclear bodies, state media reported on Tuesday, as tensions rise with Washington over Tehran's nuclear programme.

Iranian prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for several suspects arrested last year for spying for the United States in military and nuclear bodies, state media reported on Tuesday, as tensions rise with Washington over Tehran's nuclear programme. Iran said in August it had arrested "tens of spies" in state bodies, many of whom were dual nationals. In June, Iran said it executed a former contract employee of the defence ministry aerospace body on charges of spying for the US Central Intelligence Agency. Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said an unspecified number of suspects, arrested less than a year ago, faced possible death sentences in military tribunals, state television reported. "Two of the defendants, who were not military, have received long prison terms," Esmaili added, without giving details. Iran announced on Monday it had amassed more low-enriched uranium than permitted under a 2015 nuclear deal, a move denounced by President Donald Trump as "playing with fire" amid concerns about deepening US-Iranian confrontation. The initiative marked Tehran's first major shift from the provisions of the pact since the United States pulled out of it more than a year ago. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the move was not a violation of the accord, arguing that Iran was exercising its right to respond to the US walkout.

Iran says several suspected United States spies face possible death sentences

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged Iran to stick to its commitments under<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-it-has-broken-enriched-uranium-stockpile-limit-set-by-2015-nuclear-deal-232067"> the nuclear deal </a>and address differences through a dispute mechanism, his spokesman said.&nbsp;

Iran earlier said it had exceeded a limit established under the deal on its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/iran-nuclear-deal-is-hanging-by-a-thread-224862">stockpile of low-enriched uranium.</a>&nbsp;

"It is essential that this issue, like other issues related to the implementation of the plan, be addressed through the mechanisms established in the JCPOA," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

Watch: Iran confirms the breach of Uranium Limit

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-iran-exceeds-uranium-limit-in-2015-deal-232096/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The JCPOA is the formal name of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the nuclear deal is known.

Guterres encourages Iran "to continue implementing all its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA," said Dujarric.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif earlier said Iran had crossed the 300 kilogram limit imposed under the nuclear deal.&nbsp;

Tehran has sought to pressure the remaining parties to save the deal by announcing that it would no longer abide by some of its commitments.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged Iran to stick to its commitments under the nuclear deal and address differences through a dispute mechanism, his spokesman said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged Iran to stick to its commitments under the nuclear deal and address differences through a dispute mechanism, his spokesman said. Iran earlier said it had exceeded a limit established under the deal on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium. "It is essential that this issue, like other issues related to the implementation of the plan, be addressed through the mechanisms established in the JCPOA," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Watch: Iran confirms the breach of Uranium Limit The JCPOA is the formal name of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the nuclear deal is known. Guterres encourages Iran "to continue implementing all its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA," said Dujarric. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif earlier said Iran had crossed the 300 kilogram limit imposed under the nuclear deal. Tehran has sought to pressure the remaining parties to save the deal by announcing that it would no longer abide by some of its commitments.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres urges Iran to stick to nuclear deal after breaching cap

India focussed on trade, terror & black money at the G20 summit. New Delhi also raised key issues like 5G & Iran crisis with Trump. Here's Palki summing up the issues raised by India at the summit.

Gravitas: G20 Summit: Takeaways for India

Iran stockpiles of Uranium exceeded 300 KG limit. Iran exceeds Uranium limit in 2015 deal. Know more from Daniele Pagani, Bureau Chief , West Asia.

Wion Dispatch: Iran confirms breach of Uranium Limit

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-it-has-broken-enriched-uranium-stockpile-limit-set-by-2015-nuclear-deal-232067">Iran says it has broken enriched uranium stockpile limit set by nuclear deal</a> 
 
Iran has breached a 300kg (660lb) limit on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium set under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/violent-clashes-as-hong-kong-marks-china-handover-anniversary-232056">Violent clashes as Hong Kong marks China handover anniversary</a> 
 
The angry scenes ramped up tensions in the financial hub which has been rocked by three weeks of historic demonstrations against a hugely unpopular bill that would allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/water-crisis-in-india-centre-sends-out-250-civil-servants-to-driest-areas-232082">Water crisis in India: Centre sends out 250 civil servants to driest areas&nbsp;</a> 
 
India's monsoon, which accounts for nearly 70 per cent of the country's annual rainfall, turned patchy in the first month of the season that began on June 1.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/samajwadi-party-will-support-extension-of-presidents-rule-in-jammu-kashmir-ram-gopal-yadav-232008">Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, Biju Janata Dal to support extension of President's Rule in Jammu &amp; Kashmir</a> 
 
On June 28, Lok Sabha approved the statutory resolution to extend President's Rule in Jammu &amp; Kashmir with effect from July 3rd, 2019.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-gun-battle-rages-in-kabul-after-blast-injures-100-taliban-claims-responsibility-231998">Afghanistan: Gun battle rages in Kabul after blast injures 100, Taliban claims responsibility</a>

A blast in the Afghan capital on Monday was part of an attack by Taliban fighters targeting the defence ministry compound in Kabul, the Islamist militant group said in a statement.

Iran says it has broken enriched uranium stockpile limit set by nuclear deal Iran has breached a 300kg (660lb) limit on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium set under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

Iran says it has broken enriched uranium stockpile limit set by nuclear deal Iran has breached a 300kg (660lb) limit on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium set under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Violent clashes as Hong Kong marks China handover anniversary The angry scenes ramped up tensions in the financial hub which has been rocked by three weeks of historic demonstrations against a hugely unpopular bill that would allow extraditions to the Chinese mainland. Water crisis in India: Centre sends out 250 civil servants to driest areas India's monsoon, which accounts for nearly 70 per cent of the country's annual rainfall, turned patchy in the first month of the season that began on June 1. Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, Biju Janata Dal to support extension of President's Rule in Jammu & Kashmir On June 28, Lok Sabha approved the statutory resolution to extend President's Rule in Jammu & Kashmir with effect from July 3rd, 2019. Afghanistan: Gun battle rages in Kabul after blast injures 100, Taliban claims responsibility A blast in the Afghan capital on Monday was part of an attack by Taliban fighters targeting the defence ministry compound in Kabul, the Islamist militant group said in a statement.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Iran will no longer require Chinese visitors to obtain visas, state media reported Sunday, as the sanctions-hit country attempts to boost tourism in the face of an economic crisis.

"The cabinet has agreed to waive visa requirements for Chinese nationals entering the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-judges-progress-made-at-nuclear-meeting-but-still-not-enough-231350">Islamic Republic of Iran</a>," state news agency IRNA said.

Tourism board chief Ali Asghar Mounesan told IRNA that "We aim to host two million Chinese tourists per year using our country's numerous attractions."

He said the sector is "unsanctionable" and could help offset the economic hardships caused by tough sanctions Washington reinstated after withdrawing from a multilateral nuclear deal last year.

The sanctions have particularly targeted Iran's vital oil exports and international financial transactions, and were a major factor in the country's ongoing recession.

According to IRNA, some 52,000 Chinese tourists visited Iran during the 12 months to March.

In another bid to boost tourist arrivals, Iran recently announced it would no longer stamp visitors' passports, allowing them to bypass a US entry ban on travellers who have visited the Islamic Republic.

China is one of the remaining partners in the nuclear deal and has rejected the Trump administration's policy of seeking to cut Iranian oil exports to zero.

Tehran has threatened to abandon some of its commitments under the nuclear deal unless the remaining partners -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- help it circumvent US sanctions, especially on oil sales.

Iran will no longer require Chinese visitors to obtain visas, state media reported Sunday, as the sanctions-hit country attempts to boost tourism in the face of an economic crisis.

Iran will no longer require Chinese visitors to obtain visas, state media reported Sunday, as the sanctions-hit country attempts to boost tourism in the face of an economic crisis. "The cabinet has agreed to waive visa requirements for Chinese nationals entering the Islamic Republic of Iran," state news agency IRNA said. Tourism board chief Ali Asghar Mounesan told IRNA that "We aim to host two million Chinese tourists per year using our country's numerous attractions." He said the sector is "unsanctionable" and could help offset the economic hardships caused by tough sanctions Washington reinstated after withdrawing from a multilateral nuclear deal last year. The sanctions have particularly targeted Iran's vital oil exports and international financial transactions, and were a major factor in the country's ongoing recession. According to IRNA, some 52,000 Chinese tourists visited Iran during the 12 months to March. In another bid to boost tourist arrivals, Iran recently announced it would no longer stamp visitors' passports, allowing them to bypass a US entry ban on travellers who have visited the Islamic Republic. China is one of the remaining partners in the nuclear deal and has rejected the Trump administration's policy of seeking to cut Iranian oil exports to zero. Tehran has threatened to abandon some of its commitments under the nuclear deal unless the remaining partners -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- help it circumvent US sanctions, especially on oil sales.

Iran announces visa waiver for Chinese tourists

Iran has breached the limit of its enriched uranium stockpile set in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/iran-nuclear-deal-is-hanging-by-a-thread-224862">2015 nuclear deal</a> with major powers, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday, according to the ISNA news agency, defying a warning by European co-signatories to stick to the deal despite US sanctions.

Zarif confirmed that Iran had exceeded the relevant limit of 300 kg of uranium hexafluoride (UF6), but Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said Iran's steps to decrease its commitments to the nuclear deal were "reversible".

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that its inspectors were verifying whether Iran had accumulated more enriched uranium than allowed.&nbsp;

"Our inspectors are on the ground and they will report to headquarters as soon as the LEU (low-enriched uranium) stockpile has been verified, a spokesman for the U.N. agency said.

Enriching uranium to a low level of 3.6% fissile material is the first step in a process that could eventually allow Iran to amass enough highly-enriched uranium to build a nuclear warhead.

Last Wednesday, the IAEA verified that Iran had roughly 200 kg of low-enriched uranium, just below the deal’s 202.8 kg limit, three diplomats who follow the agency’s work told Reuters. A quantity of 300 kg of UF6 (uranium hexafluoride) corresponds to 202.8 kg of LEU.&nbsp;

After talks on Friday in Vienna, Iran said European countries had offered too little in the way of trade assistance to persuade it to back off from its plan to breach the limit, a riposte to U.S. President Donald Trump`s decision last year to quit the deal and reimpose economic sanctions.

Mousavi urged them on Monday to step up their efforts. "Time is running out for them to save the deal," state TV quoted him Mousavi as saying.&nbsp;

The deal between Iran and six world powers lifted most international sanctions against Iran in return for restrictions on its nuclear work aimed at extending the time Iran would need to produce a nuclear bomb, if it chose to, from roughly 2-3 months to a year.

Israel worried

Iran says its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, including generating power. Its regional adversary Israel, which Iran does not recognise, says the program presents it with an existential threat.&nbsp;

Joseph Cohen, head of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, urged the international community to stop Iran from "stepping up enrichment".

"Just imagine what will happen if the material stockpiled by the Iranians becomes fissionable, at military enrichment grade, and then an actual bomb," he told the Herzliya security conference before Zarif's announcement.

"The Middle East, and then the entire world, will be a different place. Therefore, the world must not allow this to happen."&nbsp; 
In May, Washington piled pressure on Tehran by ordering all countries to halt imports of Iranian oil, and tensions have been growing in the Gulf ever since.

Washington has dispatched extra forces to the Middle East, and U.S. fighter jets came within minutes of conducting air strikes on Iran last month after Tehran downed an unmanned American drone.

In a speech on Monday broadcast on state TV, Iranian Zarif said: "Iran will never yield to pressure from the United States ... If they want to talk to Iran, they should show respect ...

"Never threaten an Iranian ... Iran has always resisted pressure, and has responded with respect when respected."

Trump has called for negotiations with Iran with "no preconditions", but Tehran has ruled out talks until the United States returns to the nuclear pact and drops its sanctions.

Iran has breached the limit of its enriched uranium stockpile set in a 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday, according to the ISNA news agency, defying a warning by European co-signatories to stick to the deal despite US sanctions.

Iran has breached the limit of its enriched uranium stockpile set in a 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday, according to the ISNA news agency, defying a warning by European co-signatories to stick to the deal despite US sanctions. Zarif confirmed that Iran had exceeded the relevant limit of 300 kg of uranium hexafluoride (UF6), but Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said Iran's steps to decrease its commitments to the nuclear deal were "reversible". The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that its inspectors were verifying whether Iran had accumulated more enriched uranium than allowed. "Our inspectors are on the ground and they will report to headquarters as soon as the LEU (low-enriched uranium) stockpile has been verified, a spokesman for the U.N. agency said. Enriching uranium to a low level of 3.6% fissile material is the first step in a process that could eventually allow Iran to amass enough highly-enriched uranium to build a nuclear warhead. Last Wednesday, the IAEA verified that Iran had roughly 200 kg of low-enriched uranium, just below the deal’s 202.8 kg limit, three diplomats who follow the agency’s work told Reuters. A quantity of 300 kg of UF6 (uranium hexafluoride) corresponds to 202.8 kg of LEU. After talks on Friday in Vienna, Iran said European countries had offered too little in the way of trade assistance to persuade it to back off from its plan to breach the limit, a riposte to U.S. President Donald Trump`s decision last year to quit the deal and reimpose economic sanctions. Mousavi urged them on Monday to step up their efforts. "Time is running out for them to save the deal," state TV quoted him Mousavi as saying. The deal between Iran and six world powers lifted most international sanctions against Iran in return for restrictions on its nuclear work aimed at extending the time Iran would need to produce a nuclear bomb, if it chose to, from roughly 2-3 months to a year. Israel worried Iran says its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, including generating power. Its regional adversary Israel, which Iran does not recognise, says the program presents it with an existential threat. Joseph Cohen, head of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, urged the international community to stop Iran from "stepping up enrichment". "Just imagine what will happen if the material stockpiled by the Iranians becomes fissionable, at military enrichment grade, and then an actual bomb," he told the Herzliya security conference before Zarif's announcement. "The Middle East, and then the entire world, will be a different place. Therefore, the world must not allow this to happen." In May, Washington piled pressure on Tehran by ordering all countries to halt imports of Iranian oil, and tensions have been growing in the Gulf ever since. Washington has dispatched extra forces to the Middle East, and U.S. fighter jets came within minutes of conducting air strikes on Iran last month after Tehran downed an unmanned American drone. In a speech on Monday broadcast on state TV, Iranian Zarif said: "Iran will never yield to pressure from the United States ... If they want to talk to Iran, they should show respect ... "Never threaten an Iranian ... Iran has always resisted pressure, and has responded with respect when respected." Trump has called for negotiations with Iran with "no preconditions", but Tehran has ruled out talks until the United States returns to the nuclear pact and drops its sanctions.

Iran says it has broken enriched uranium stockpile limit set by 2015 nuclear deal

The United States will put sanctions on any country that imports <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vienna-meeting-is-last-chance-to-save-2015-nuclear-deal-iran-warns-231545">Iranian oil</a>, and no exemptions are currently in place, US special envoy for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-judges-progress-made-at-nuclear-meeting-but-still-not-enough-231350">Iran </a>said in London on Friday.

Quoting Brian Hook, Russia Today reported that the remarks came after Washington announced new sanctions directly targeting the Iranian leadership on Monday, in which the Trump administration said it will enforce penalties on those who violate previous restrictions as well.

"We will sanction any imports of Iranian crude oil... There are right now no oil waivers in place," Hook said when asked about continued sales of Iranian crude in Asia.

Waivers had previously been in place allowing for several countries, reliant on importing Iranian oil, to continue buying it in spite of sanctions.

Hook explicitly mentioned reports that Iran`s largest buyer, China, has received at least one shipment since its sanctions waiver was revoked, reiterating: "We will sanction any illicit purchases of Iranian crude oil."

China has been highly critical of the decision to cancel the waivers, and they are not the only ones opposed to Washington`s obstinate measures in the international community.

The European Union continues to make accommodating efforts in order to convince Iran to keep adhering to the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal, despite the US` unceremonious withdrawal.

The EU is expected to announce a multi-million dollar credit line to help ease trade next week.

Although the recent outbreak of hostilities began with US President Donald Trump`s decision to pull out of the deal last year, Hook told reporters that it was Iran who had "rejected diplomacy too many times."

In addition, Tehran`s threat to increase the output of low enriched uranium, breaching the stockpile limit mandated under the nuclear deal in retaliation to the US approach, further triggered Washington to obstruct Iranian oil exports amid heightened the tension between the two countries.

The United States will put sanctions on any country that imports Iranian oil, and no exemptions are currently in place, US special envoy for Iran said in London on Friday.

The United States will put sanctions on any country that imports Iranian oil, and no exemptions are currently in place, US special envoy for Iran said in London on Friday. Quoting Brian Hook, Russia Today reported that the remarks came after Washington announced new sanctions directly targeting the Iranian leadership on Monday, in which the Trump administration said it will enforce penalties on those who violate previous restrictions as well. "We will sanction any imports of Iranian crude oil... There are right now no oil waivers in place," Hook said when asked about continued sales of Iranian crude in Asia. Waivers had previously been in place allowing for several countries, reliant on importing Iranian oil, to continue buying it in spite of sanctions. Hook explicitly mentioned reports that Iran`s largest buyer, China, has received at least one shipment since its sanctions waiver was revoked, reiterating: "We will sanction any illicit purchases of Iranian crude oil." China has been highly critical of the decision to cancel the waivers, and they are not the only ones opposed to Washington`s obstinate measures in the international community. The European Union continues to make accommodating efforts in order to convince Iran to keep adhering to the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal, despite the US` unceremonious withdrawal. The EU is expected to announce a multi-million dollar credit line to help ease trade next week. Although the recent outbreak of hostilities began with US President Donald Trump`s decision to pull out of the deal last year, Hook told reporters that it was Iran who had "rejected diplomacy too many times." In addition, Tehran`s threat to increase the output of low enriched uranium, breaching the stockpile limit mandated under the nuclear deal in retaliation to the US approach, further triggered Washington to obstruct Iranian oil exports amid heightened the tension between the two countries.

US will sanction any country that buys oil from Iran, says special envoy

Iran on Friday warned that the diplomatic meeting in Vienna among the remaining signatories of the embattled 2015 nuclear deal may be the "last chance" to save the historic accord.

Officials from the deal`s remaining signatories, including China, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Iran and the European Union, held talks in the Austrian capital on Friday after Tehran had warned that it would soon breach the limit of producing low-enriched uranium mandated by the nuclear agreement, Al Jazeera reported.

"It was a step forward, but it is still not enough and not meeting Iran`s expectations," Iran`s Deputy Foreign Minister and top nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi told reporters Vienna.

"I don`t think the progress made today will be enough to stop our process but the decision will be made in Tehran," he added.

The meeting took place amid growing concern that the deal could collapse, a year after the United States unilaterally withdrew from the accord, which limits Iran`s nuclear activity in exchange for relief from sanctions.

After pulling out, Washington reimposed sanctions on Tehran and called for Iranian oil exports to be reduced to zero as part of a "maximum pressure" campaign against Tehran, which has dramatically reduced Iran`s oil exports.

In addition to the stockpile limit, Iran has said that in early July it will start to enrich uranium above the 3.67 per cent cap agreed in the deal.

Meanwhile, in a statement on Friday, the EU said Germany, France and the UK have set up a special trade channel with Iran that aims to circumvent US sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

China`s delegate at the talks, Fu Cong, said Beijing would continue to import Iranian oil despite Washington`s sanctions on Tehran.

"We reject the unilateral imposition of sanctions," he stressed.

"For us, energy security is important and the importation of Iranian oil is important to Chinese energy security and also the livelihood of the people," Cong was quoted as saying.

He added that the meeting was "conducive to easing tensions in the region", referring to sabre-rattling between Washington and Tehran in the Gulf.

Concern about a possible confrontation in the region escalated sharply last week when Iran shot down a US unmanned drone, which Tehran said was in its airspace.

The US said it was downed in international airspace. US President Donald Trump ordered retaliatory attacks on Iran but later cancelled them, saying they would not have been proportional.

It was the latest in a series of escalatory events in the Gulf region in recent weeks, including alleged attacks on tankers which the US has blamed on Iran, despite Tehran`s denials.

Iran on Friday warned that the diplomatic meeting in Vienna among the remaining signatories of the embattled 2015 nuclear deal may be the "last chance" to save the historic accord.

Iran on Friday warned that the diplomatic meeting in Vienna among the remaining signatories of the embattled 2015 nuclear deal may be the "last chance" to save the historic accord. Officials from the deal`s remaining signatories, including China, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Iran and the European Union, held talks in the Austrian capital on Friday after Tehran had warned that it would soon breach the limit of producing low-enriched uranium mandated by the nuclear agreement, Al Jazeera reported. "It was a step forward, but it is still not enough and not meeting Iran`s expectations," Iran`s Deputy Foreign Minister and top nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi told reporters Vienna. "I don`t think the progress made today will be enough to stop our process but the decision will be made in Tehran," he added. The meeting took place amid growing concern that the deal could collapse, a year after the United States unilaterally withdrew from the accord, which limits Iran`s nuclear activity in exchange for relief from sanctions. After pulling out, Washington reimposed sanctions on Tehran and called for Iranian oil exports to be reduced to zero as part of a "maximum pressure" campaign against Tehran, which has dramatically reduced Iran`s oil exports. In addition to the stockpile limit, Iran has said that in early July it will start to enrich uranium above the 3.67 per cent cap agreed in the deal. Meanwhile, in a statement on Friday, the EU said Germany, France and the UK have set up a special trade channel with Iran that aims to circumvent US sanctions on the Islamic Republic. China`s delegate at the talks, Fu Cong, said Beijing would continue to import Iranian oil despite Washington`s sanctions on Tehran. "We reject the unilateral imposition of sanctions," he stressed. "For us, energy security is important and the importation of Iranian oil is important to Chinese energy security and also the livelihood of the people," Cong was quoted as saying. He added that the meeting was "conducive to easing tensions in the region", referring to sabre-rattling between Washington and Tehran in the Gulf. Concern about a possible confrontation in the region escalated sharply last week when Iran shot down a US unmanned drone, which Tehran said was in its airspace. The US said it was downed in international airspace. US President Donald Trump ordered retaliatory attacks on Iran but later cancelled them, saying they would not have been proportional. It was the latest in a series of escalatory events in the Gulf region in recent weeks, including alleged attacks on tankers which the US has blamed on Iran, despite Tehran`s denials.

Vienna meeting is 'last chance' to save 2015 nuclear deal, Iran warns

Iran said progress was made Friday at a Vienna meeting on its nuclear accord with world powers but "still not enough" as the landmark, 2015 accord teetered on the brink amid tension in the Gulf.

Speaking after talks with European, Russian and Chinese officials in the Austrian capital, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said what had been agreed was "one step forward" but "still not meeting Iran's expectations".

Iran is on the verge of exceeding a limit on stockpiles of nuclear material foreseen under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Iran says it no longer feels bound by certain limits in the deal due to crippling sanctions re-imposed by the United States after Washington unilaterally pulled out of the accord in May 2018.

Under the deal signed in 2015, Iran pledged to reduce its nuclear capacities for several years and to allow international inspectors into the country to monitor its activities in return for relief from international sanctions.

Iran had said it would exceed the agreed 300-kilogramme (660-pound) reserve of enriched uranium on Thursday, but an Iranian official said the latest figures showed the stockpile was still 2.8kg under the ceiling.

Speaking after Friday's meeting, Araghchi said, "The decision to reduce our commitments has already been made in Iran and we continue on that process unless our expectations are met."

"I don't think that the progress we made today would be considered enough to stop our process but the decision is not mine," he added, rather up to his superiors in Tehran.

'Swiftly reversible'

Araghchi said another meeting of the parties to the JCPOA would be convened at ministerial level "very soon", possibly in the next few weeks.

As well as the stockpile limit, Iran has said that it will start enriching uranium above the agreed purification level of 3.67 per cent from July 7.

Weapons-grade levels are about 90 per cent.

An Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stressed Thursday that even if both limits are surpassed, this could be reversed "within half an hour" if there were progress on boosting Iran's oil exports despite US sanctions, a key Iranian demand.

Helga Schmid, the deputy to the EU's foreign policy chief, also took part in Friday's meeting and said in a tweet there had been "constructive discussions".

She said INSTEX, a mechanism set up to facilitate trade with Iran and avoid US sanctions, was "now operational, first transactions being processed and more EU Members States to join".

Araghchi welcomed progress on INSTEX but underlined the importance to Iran of reviving its oil exports, saying that "for INSTEX to be useful for Iran, Europeans need to buy oil from Iran or to consider credit lines for this mechanism".

'Zero policy'

Also speaking after Friday's meeting, a Chinese foreign ministry official said his country would continue to import Iranian oil in defiance of US attempts to stop them entirely.

"We do not accept this so-called zero policy of the United States," said Fu Cong, director general of the Chinese foreign ministry's department of arms control.

Fu's statement came a day before US President Donald Trump -- a vehement opponent of the JCPOA -- is to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Japan in an attempt to resolve an escalating trade war.

Speaking in Osaka Friday ahead of the summit, Trump struck an emollient tone on resolving the Iran crisis, saying, "They can take their time. There is absolutely no time pressure."

Iran said progress was made Friday at a Vienna meeting on its nuclear accord with world powers but "still not enough" as the landmark, 2015 accord teetered on the brink amid tension in the Gulf.

Iran said progress was made Friday at a Vienna meeting on its nuclear accord with world powers but "still not enough" as the landmark, 2015 accord teetered on the brink amid tension in the Gulf. Speaking after talks with European, Russian and Chinese officials in the Austrian capital, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said what had been agreed was "one step forward" but "still not meeting Iran's expectations". Iran is on the verge of exceeding a limit on stockpiles of nuclear material foreseen under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iran says it no longer feels bound by certain limits in the deal due to crippling sanctions re-imposed by the United States after Washington unilaterally pulled out of the accord in May 2018. Under the deal signed in 2015, Iran pledged to reduce its nuclear capacities for several years and to allow international inspectors into the country to monitor its activities in return for relief from international sanctions. Iran had said it would exceed the agreed 300-kilogramme (660-pound) reserve of enriched uranium on Thursday, but an Iranian official said the latest figures showed the stockpile was still 2.8kg under the ceiling. Speaking after Friday's meeting, Araghchi said, "The decision to reduce our commitments has already been made in Iran and we continue on that process unless our expectations are met." "I don't think that the progress we made today would be considered enough to stop our process but the decision is not mine," he added, rather up to his superiors in Tehran. 'Swiftly reversible' Araghchi said another meeting of the parties to the JCPOA would be convened at ministerial level "very soon", possibly in the next few weeks. As well as the stockpile limit, Iran has said that it will start enriching uranium above the agreed purification level of 3.67 per cent from July 7. Weapons-grade levels are about 90 per cent. An Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stressed Thursday that even if both limits are surpassed, this could be reversed "within half an hour" if there were progress on boosting Iran's oil exports despite US sanctions, a key Iranian demand. Helga Schmid, the deputy to the EU's foreign policy chief, also took part in Friday's meeting and said in a tweet there had been "constructive discussions". She said INSTEX, a mechanism set up to facilitate trade with Iran and avoid US sanctions, was "now operational, first transactions being processed and more EU Members States to join". Araghchi welcomed progress on INSTEX but underlined the importance to Iran of reviving its oil exports, saying that "for INSTEX to be useful for Iran, Europeans need to buy oil from Iran or to consider credit lines for this mechanism". 'Zero policy' Also speaking after Friday's meeting, a Chinese foreign ministry official said his country would continue to import Iranian oil in defiance of US attempts to stop them entirely. "We do not accept this so-called zero policy of the United States," said Fu Cong, director general of the Chinese foreign ministry's department of arms control. Fu's statement came a day before US President Donald Trump -- a vehement opponent of the JCPOA -- is to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Japan in an attempt to resolve an escalating trade war. Speaking in Osaka Friday ahead of the summit, Trump struck an emollient tone on resolving the Iran crisis, saying, "They can take their time. There is absolutely no time pressure."

Iran judges 'progress' made at nuclear meeting but 'still not enough'

Modi-Trump Bilateral on Sidelines of G20 Summit. Modi raises Iran, 5G, Bilateral ties and Defence

G20 Summit: Modi raises Iran, 5G, Bilateral ties and Defence

The US Senate on Thursday passed a $750-billion defence policy bill with provisions that target China on issues from technology transfers to the sale of synthetic opioids, pushing to counter growing Chinese influence around the world.

The 973-page National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, passed by an 86-8 vote.

However, in an unusual procedural move, the Senate will have a separate vote on Friday on an amendment that would ban Republican President Donald Trump from attacking Iran without first obtaining congressional approval.

Despite growing tensions with Iran, the amendment is not expected to get the 60 votes needed to pass the Republican-controlled Senate.

Among other provisions, the Senate NDAA requires detailed reporting from the Department of Defense to prevent transfers of sensitive technology to China or Russia, as well as reports on access to the Arctic. It also requires tighter screening of scholars seeking visas to the United States.

The Senate`s passage of the NDAA comes as Trump prepares for a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Osaka, Japan, on Saturday on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit. Many hope the meeting will help end a months-long trade war between the world`s top two economies.

In Beijing on Friday, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang expressed anger at the bill, saying the government had already made a protest to the United States about it.

"Once the bill becomes law, it will harm Sino-US relations, and interfere with, and damage, cooperation in some important areas," Geng said.

China urges the United States to objectively view its development and not allow any of the "negative China-related" content to become law, he added.

The NDAA is still several steps from becoming law. The Senate version must be reconciled with a version expected to come up for a vote next month in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. That compromise version, expected later this year, must pass both the Senate and House, and be signed into law by Trump.

The Senate NDAA also includes an amendment to bar federal funds from going to Chinese state-owned companies such as CRRC, the world`s largest maker of passenger trains.

CRRC said in a statement that US lawmakers should "pause and review the facts regarding cybersecurity and competitive pricing in the passenger railcar market before making any decisions that will invariably and significantly impact US transit agencies` ability to modernize their fleets."

One of the few pieces of major legislation passed every year, the NDAA becomes a vehicle for a broad range of policy measures, as well as determining everything from military pay levels to which ships or aircraft will be modernized, purchased or discontinued.

The Senate NDAA also contains an amendment to strengthen sanctions against North Korea, imposing secondary sanctions on financial institutions that do business with Pyongyang in violation of existing sanctions.

The US Senate on Thursday passed a $750-billion defence policy bill with provisions that target China on issues from technology transfers to the sale of synthetic opioids, pushing to counter growing Chinese influence around the world.

The US Senate on Thursday passed a $750-billion defence policy bill with provisions that target China on issues from technology transfers to the sale of synthetic opioids, pushing to counter growing Chinese influence around the world. The 973-page National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, passed by an 86-8 vote. However, in an unusual procedural move, the Senate will have a separate vote on Friday on an amendment that would ban Republican President Donald Trump from attacking Iran without first obtaining congressional approval. Despite growing tensions with Iran, the amendment is not expected to get the 60 votes needed to pass the Republican-controlled Senate. Among other provisions, the Senate NDAA requires detailed reporting from the Department of Defense to prevent transfers of sensitive technology to China or Russia, as well as reports on access to the Arctic. It also requires tighter screening of scholars seeking visas to the United States. The Senate`s passage of the NDAA comes as Trump prepares for a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Osaka, Japan, on Saturday on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit. Many hope the meeting will help end a months-long trade war between the world`s top two economies. In Beijing on Friday, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang expressed anger at the bill, saying the government had already made a protest to the United States about it. "Once the bill becomes law, it will harm Sino-US relations, and interfere with, and damage, cooperation in some important areas," Geng said. China urges the United States to objectively view its development and not allow any of the "negative China-related" content to become law, he added. The NDAA is still several steps from becoming law. The Senate version must be reconciled with a version expected to come up for a vote next month in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. That compromise version, expected later this year, must pass both the Senate and House, and be signed into law by Trump. The Senate NDAA also includes an amendment to bar federal funds from going to Chinese state-owned companies such as CRRC, the world`s largest maker of passenger trains. CRRC said in a statement that US lawmakers should "pause and review the facts regarding cybersecurity and competitive pricing in the passenger railcar market before making any decisions that will invariably and significantly impact US transit agencies` ability to modernize their fleets." One of the few pieces of major legislation passed every year, the NDAA becomes a vehicle for a broad range of policy measures, as well as determining everything from military pay levels to which ships or aircraft will be modernized, purchased or discontinued. The Senate NDAA also contains an amendment to strengthen sanctions against North Korea, imposing secondary sanctions on financial institutions that do business with Pyongyang in violation of existing sanctions.

US Senate backs massive defence bill, targets China, sets Iran vote

Iran said on Friday it had formally lodged a complaint to the UN Security Council against the United States over a drone violating its airspace, Tasnim news agency reported.

Iran "filed a complaint to the UN Security Council and the organisation's Secretary General after a US spy drone violated Iran's airspace and was shot down," Tasnim quoted deputy foreign minister Gholamhossein Dehghani as saying.

"The complaint states that Iran reserves the right to defend its airspace and confront any violation," he added.

Tensions between Tehran and Washington have spiked ever since US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and reimposed sanctions on the Islamic republic.

Hostilities grew last week when Iran shot down a US drone over sensitive Gulf waters following a series of tanker attacks that Washington blamed Tehran for despite its denials.

Since then the arch-foes have been locked in a war of words, which escalated this week when Trump announced new sanctions against Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Iran has threatened to abandon some of its commitments under the nuclear deal unless the remaining partners -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- help it circumvent US sanctions and especially sell its oil.

Iran said on Friday it had formally lodged a complaint to the UN Security Council against the United States over a drone violating its airspace, Tasnim news agency reported.

Iran said on Friday it had formally lodged a complaint to the UN Security Council against the United States over a drone violating its airspace, Tasnim news agency reported. Iran "filed a complaint to the UN Security Council and the organisation's Secretary General after a US spy drone violated Iran's airspace and was shot down," Tasnim quoted deputy foreign minister Gholamhossein Dehghani as saying. "The complaint states that Iran reserves the right to defend its airspace and confront any violation," he added. Tensions between Tehran and Washington have spiked ever since US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and reimposed sanctions on the Islamic republic. Hostilities grew last week when Iran shot down a US drone over sensitive Gulf waters following a series of tanker attacks that Washington blamed Tehran for despite its denials. Since then the arch-foes have been locked in a war of words, which escalated this week when Trump announced new sanctions against Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. Iran has threatened to abandon some of its commitments under the nuclear deal unless the remaining partners -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- help it circumvent US sanctions and especially sell its oil.

Iran files complaint to UN over US spy drone

PM Modi and US President Donald Trump had a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. In this segment WION is in conversation with Brahma Chellaney , strategic analyst.

In conversation with Brahma Chellaney over Modi-Trump's bilateral meet

China said on Friday it would import Iranian oil in defiance of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-on-course-to-exceed-nuclear-pact-limit-within-days-diplomats-231024">US sanctions on Tehran</a>, a day before US and Chinese leaders are to meet to try to resolve thorny trade disputes.

"We reject the unilateral imposition of sanctions," said Fu Cong, Director General of the Chinese foreign ministry's department of arms control.

The United States, which is trying to force <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-want-to-convince-trump-to-drop-certain-sanctions-against-iran-to-give-negotiations-a-chance-macron-230941">Iran to renegotiate an agreement</a> limiting its nuclear programme, at the end of May tightened sanctions to include a full ban on Iran's exports of oil and has threatened to punish nations which refuse to go along.

"For us energy security is important and the importation of oil is important to Chinese energy security and also to the livelihood of the people," said Cong.

The sanctions have led to a plunge in Iranian oil exports, a key source of revenue for the government.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-iran-impasse-what-can-india-do-230999/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

But according to an International Energy Agency report earlier this month Iran was continuing to export some oil, although it was difficult to say to which countries the crude was being shipped.

"We do not accept this so-called zero tolerance policy of the United States," said Cong, who was speaking on the sidelines of a meeting on the implementation of the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal.

The deal with European powers, Russia and the United States relaxed trade restrictions on Iran in exchange for limits on its nuclear programme, but President Donald Trump has pulled Washington out of the agreement.

That has led to the unravelling of the deal that aimed to boost regional security.

Cong's statement comes a day before Trump is to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Japan in an attempt to resolve an escalating trade war. 
&nbsp;

China said on Friday it would import Iranian oil in defiance of US sanctions on Tehran, a day before US and Chinese leaders are to meet to try to resolve thorny trade disputes.

China said on Friday it would import Iranian oil in defiance of US sanctions on Tehran, a day before US and Chinese leaders are to meet to try to resolve thorny trade disputes. "We reject the unilateral imposition of sanctions," said Fu Cong, Director General of the Chinese foreign ministry's department of arms control. The United States, which is trying to force Iran to renegotiate an agreement limiting its nuclear programme, at the end of May tightened sanctions to include a full ban on Iran's exports of oil and has threatened to punish nations which refuse to go along. "For us energy security is important and the importation of oil is important to Chinese energy security and also to the livelihood of the people," said Cong. The sanctions have led to a plunge in Iranian oil exports, a key source of revenue for the government. But according to an International Energy Agency report earlier this month Iran was continuing to export some oil, although it was difficult to say to which countries the crude was being shipped. "We do not accept this so-called zero tolerance policy of the United States," said Cong, who was speaking on the sidelines of a meeting on the implementation of the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal. The deal with European powers, Russia and the United States relaxed trade restrictions on Iran in exchange for limits on its nuclear programme, but President Donald Trump has pulled Washington out of the agreement. That has led to the unravelling of the deal that aimed to boost regional security. Cong's statement comes a day before Trump is to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Japan in an attempt to resolve an escalating trade war.

Will import oil from Iran, reject zero tolerance policy of US: China

Iran is on course to breach a threshold in its nuclear agreement within days by accumulating more enriched uranium than permitted, although it had not done so yet by a deadline it set for Thursday, diplomats said, citing UN inspectors' data.

A week after US President Donald Trump called off air strikes on Iran at the last minute, the prospect that Tehran could soon violate its nuclear commitments has created additional diplomatic urgency to find a way out of the crisis.

Iran had set Thursday as a deadline beyond which it would exceed the threshold for stockpiles of enriched uranium allowed under its 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, which Tehran is still following even though Washington abandoned it last year.

The latest data from UN inspectors suggested Iran had not yet crossed the limit but was on course to do so within days, diplomats said in Vienna, headquarters of the UN nuclear agency the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"They haven't reached the limit. ... It's more likely to be at the weekend if they do it," said one diplomat, on condition of anonymity.

The US envoy on Iran, Brian Hook, met European officials in Paris on Thursday to discuss what he described as Iran's "nuclear blackmail".

France, one of the European countries caught in the middle, said it would ask Trump to suspend some sanctions on Iran to make room for negotiations to defuse the escalating confrontation between Washington and Tehran.

"I want to convince Trump that it is in his interest to reopen a negotiation process (and) go back on certain sanctions to give negotiations a chance," French President Emmanuel Macron said in Japan, where he is due to meet Trump on the sidelines of the G20 summit in coming days.

The United States withdrew from the pact last year under which Iran accepted curbs on its nuclear programme in return for relief from economic sanctions. Iran has said it wants to abide by the agreement but cannot do so indefinitely because US sanctions mean it is receiving none of its benefits.

The escalating crisis has put the United States in the position of demanding its European allies enforce Iranian compliance with an accord Washington itself rejects.

"Our sanctions do not give Iran the right to accelerate its nuclear programme," Hook said in an interview before meeting European officials. "It can never get near a nuclear bomb. We are looking very closely at that so it doesn't get below the one year nuclear breakout time."

Macron said he had two priorities: de-escalating military tension and keeping Iran from violating the accord, which European countries still hope to save even though Trump ignored their pleas and abandoned it last year.

'Our demand is ... to sell our oil'

The confrontation, brewing for a year after Trump quit the pact, accelerated last month when the United States sharply tightened its sanctions to force countries to eliminate purchases of Iranian oil, Iran's main source of income.

US-Iranian military tensions have risen over the past two months. Washington accused Iran of carrying out attacks on six tankers, which Tehran denies, in May and June.

The United States submitted a report on the attacks to the U.N. Security Council on Thursday, assessing "with a high degree of confidence" that Iran was responsible, specifically Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) navy. In the case of attacks in May, it pointed to the IRGC navy's diver capability.

Last week, Iran shot down a US drone it said was in its airspace. The United States said it was in international skies.

Since the aborted air strikes last week, there have been no major incidents, but rhetoric on both sides has become menacing.

Trump said later he hoped to avoid war, but that if one took place it would be short and not involve boots on the ground. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted in response on Thursday that a "short war with Iran is an illusion", and the threat to obliterate Iran amounted to a threat of genocide.

Acting US Defense Secretary Mark Esper, seeking support from NATO allies in Brussels, said: "We do not seek armed conflict with Iran but we are ready to defend US forces and interests in the region."

The Trump administration says its ultimate goal is to force Iran back to the table for negotiations. It argues that the 2015 deal, negotiated under Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, was too weak because it is not permanent and does not cover non-nuclear issues, such as Iran's missile programme and regional behaviour.

Iran says it cannot negotiate further unless the United States observes the existing agreement and lifts sanctions.

Speaking before talks in Vienna on Friday with the remaining parties to the deal, an Iranian official said Tehran's main demand was to be able to sell as much oil as it did before Washington withdrew from the accord.

"What is our demand? Our demand is to be able to sell our oil and get the money back," the Iranian official told reporters in Vienna on condition of anonymity.

European powers are limited in their ability to shield Iran's economy from US sanctions and it is unclear what they can do to provide the large economic windfall Tehran wants.

Iran is on course to breach a threshold in its nuclear agreement within days by accumulating more enriched uranium than permitted, although it had not done so yet by a deadline it set for Thursday, diplomats said, citing UN inspectors' data.

Iran is on course to breach a threshold in its nuclear agreement within days by accumulating more enriched uranium than permitted, although it had not done so yet by a deadline it set for Thursday, diplomats said, citing UN inspectors' data. A week after US President Donald Trump called off air strikes on Iran at the last minute, the prospect that Tehran could soon violate its nuclear commitments has created additional diplomatic urgency to find a way out of the crisis. Iran had set Thursday as a deadline beyond which it would exceed the threshold for stockpiles of enriched uranium allowed under its 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, which Tehran is still following even though Washington abandoned it last year. The latest data from UN inspectors suggested Iran had not yet crossed the limit but was on course to do so within days, diplomats said in Vienna, headquarters of the UN nuclear agency the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). "They haven't reached the limit. ... It's more likely to be at the weekend if they do it," said one diplomat, on condition of anonymity. The US envoy on Iran, Brian Hook, met European officials in Paris on Thursday to discuss what he described as Iran's "nuclear blackmail". France, one of the European countries caught in the middle, said it would ask Trump to suspend some sanctions on Iran to make room for negotiations to defuse the escalating confrontation between Washington and Tehran. "I want to convince Trump that it is in his interest to reopen a negotiation process (and) go back on certain sanctions to give negotiations a chance," French President Emmanuel Macron said in Japan, where he is due to meet Trump on the sidelines of the G20 summit in coming days. The United States withdrew from the pact last year under which Iran accepted curbs on its nuclear programme in return for relief from economic sanctions. Iran has said it wants to abide by the agreement but cannot do so indefinitely because US sanctions mean it is receiving none of its benefits. The escalating crisis has put the United States in the position of demanding its European allies enforce Iranian compliance with an accord Washington itself rejects. "Our sanctions do not give Iran the right to accelerate its nuclear programme," Hook said in an interview before meeting European officials. "It can never get near a nuclear bomb. We are looking very closely at that so it doesn't get below the one year nuclear breakout time." Macron said he had two priorities: de-escalating military tension and keeping Iran from violating the accord, which European countries still hope to save even though Trump ignored their pleas and abandoned it last year. 'Our demand is ... to sell our oil' The confrontation, brewing for a year after Trump quit the pact, accelerated last month when the United States sharply tightened its sanctions to force countries to eliminate purchases of Iranian oil, Iran's main source of income. US-Iranian military tensions have risen over the past two months. Washington accused Iran of carrying out attacks on six tankers, which Tehran denies, in May and June. The United States submitted a report on the attacks to the U.N. Security Council on Thursday, assessing "with a high degree of confidence" that Iran was responsible, specifically Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) navy. In the case of attacks in May, it pointed to the IRGC navy's diver capability. Last week, Iran shot down a US drone it said was in its airspace. The United States said it was in international skies. Since the aborted air strikes last week, there have been no major incidents, but rhetoric on both sides has become menacing. Trump said later he hoped to avoid war, but that if one took place it would be short and not involve boots on the ground. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted in response on Thursday that a "short war with Iran is an illusion", and the threat to obliterate Iran amounted to a threat of genocide. Acting US Defense Secretary Mark Esper, seeking support from NATO allies in Brussels, said: "We do not seek armed conflict with Iran but we are ready to defend US forces and interests in the region." The Trump administration says its ultimate goal is to force Iran back to the table for negotiations. It argues that the 2015 deal, negotiated under Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, was too weak because it is not permanent and does not cover non-nuclear issues, such as Iran's missile programme and regional behaviour. Iran says it cannot negotiate further unless the United States observes the existing agreement and lifts sanctions. Speaking before talks in Vienna on Friday with the remaining parties to the deal, an Iranian official said Tehran's main demand was to be able to sell as much oil as it did before Washington withdrew from the accord. "What is our demand? Our demand is to be able to sell our oil and get the money back," the Iranian official told reporters in Vienna on condition of anonymity. European powers are limited in their ability to shield Iran's economy from US sanctions and it is unclear what they can do to provide the large economic windfall Tehran wants.

Iran on course to exceed nuclear pact limit within days: Diplomats

PM Modi and US President Donald Trump had a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. Watch this video to know more.

Modi-Trump bilateral on sidelines of G20 Summit

India-U.S. seek to make breakthrough on trade dispute

India Is In A Particularly Precarious Situation Due To The Worsening Of U.S.-Iran Ties India urges the U.S. to ensure that global energy supplies remain predictable. Now the crisis between the U.S and Iran can have a huge impact on Indian economy, afterall India imports nearly 85% of its oil needs. So what can India do? Palki takes a lot at the options available at the disposal of Indian government

Gravitas: The Iran impasse - What can India do?

US President Donald Trump said that a war with Iran would not “last very long” or involve ground troops, as he seemingly dismissed warnings that limited US military action could spiral into a larger conflict. Trump reiterated his desire to avoid a war but said “we’re in a very strong position if something should happen.”

Donald Trump says war with Iran would not involve ground troops or last long

The Iranian embassy in India reacted to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's allegation against Iran's role in sponsoring terrorism. Pompeo made the remarks during his India visit earlier this week.

Iran slams Mike Pompeo's remarks against the country's role in sponsoring terrorism

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/iran-nuclear-deal-is-hanging-by-a-thread-224862">Iran</a> is still short of the maximum amount of enriched uranium it is allowed to have under its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/iran-nuclear-deal-is-hanging-by-a-thread-224862">deal with major powers</a> but it is on course to reach that limit at the weekend, the latest data from UN nuclear inspectors shows, diplomats, say.

On Wednesday, the UN nuclear watchdog verified that Iran had roughly 200 kg of low-enriched uranium, below the deal's 202.8 kg limit, three diplomats who follow the agency's work said.

Two of the diplomats said Iran was producing at a rate of around 1 kg a day, suggesting it will not make good on its announcement that it would reach the limit on Thursday. It could, however, go over the line soon after a meeting with other signatories of the deal in Vienna on Friday that is aimed at saving the accord.

"They haven't reached the limit... It's more likely to be at the weekend if they do it," one diplomat said on condition of anonymity.

The 2015 deal, which lifted international sanctions against Iran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear activities, is aimed at extending the time Iran would need to produce a nuclear bomb, if it chose to, to a year from roughly 2-3 months.

Washington pulled out of the deal last year and has imposed punishing economic sanctions against Tehran. Iran has threatened to respond by setting aside some of the deal's restrictions, which could cause the deal to unravel, but it has called on European powers to do more to shield it from US sanctions.

Iran is still short of the maximum amount of enriched uranium it is allowed to have under its deal with major powers but it is on course to reach that limit at the weekend, the latest data from UN nuclear inspectors shows, diplomats, say.

Iran is still short of the maximum amount of enriched uranium it is allowed to have under its deal with major powers but it is on course to reach that limit at the weekend, the latest data from UN nuclear inspectors shows, diplomats, say. On Wednesday, the UN nuclear watchdog verified that Iran had roughly 200 kg of low-enriched uranium, below the deal's 202.8 kg limit, three diplomats who follow the agency's work said. Two of the diplomats said Iran was producing at a rate of around 1 kg a day, suggesting it will not make good on its announcement that it would reach the limit on Thursday. It could, however, go over the line soon after a meeting with other signatories of the deal in Vienna on Friday that is aimed at saving the accord. "They haven't reached the limit... It's more likely to be at the weekend if they do it," one diplomat said on condition of anonymity. The 2015 deal, which lifted international sanctions against Iran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear activities, is aimed at extending the time Iran would need to produce a nuclear bomb, if it chose to, to a year from roughly 2-3 months. Washington pulled out of the deal last year and has imposed punishing economic sanctions against Tehran. Iran has threatened to respond by setting aside some of the deal's restrictions, which could cause the deal to unravel, but it has called on European powers to do more to shield it from US sanctions.

Iran still short of nuclear deal's enriched uranium cap: Diplomats

The Iran-backed Lebanese Shi'ite group <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-to-ban-hezbollah-under-anti-terror-laws-199666">Hezbollah</a> believes a US war on Iran is unlikely and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/donald-trumps-decision-has-emboldened-iran-to-take-on-more-risks-230489">US President Donald Trump</a> would not be able to control the results of a conflict that could engulf the region.

Sheikh Naim Qassem, in an interview with Lebanon's al-Joumhouria newspaper, said such a war would be fought on many fronts, not just one, meaning losses would be countless.

"At the regional level, we see as unlikely an American war against Iran for many reasons, the most important of them being first that Iran is a strong state with important defensive capabilities," Qassem said.

Trump "does not benefit from a war that he can start but whose results he cannot control and which might begin with Iran but may be accompanied by the region being set on fire", he said.

Hezbollah is a heavily armed group founded by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 1982 that has fought more recently in regional conflicts including Syria and Iraq as part of a Tehran-backed alliance.

Qassem noted what he described as "the great accomplishments" of the alliance led by Iran over the last two decades in "Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen and elsewhere".

The United States views Hezbollah as a terrorist group.

On Wednesday, Trump said any war between Iran and the United States would be swift, but reiterated his desire to avoid a military confrontation even while blasting Tehran’s leaders.

The United States has imposed crippling financial sanctions against Iran since last year when Trump withdrew from a 2015 deal between Tehran and world powers under which Iran curbed its nuclear programme.

Tension has escalated sharply since last month when the Trump administration tightened its sanctions noose, ordering all countries to halt purchases of Iranian oil.

The Iran-backed Lebanese Shi'ite group Hezbollah believes a US war on Iran is unlikely and US President Donald Trump would not be able to control the results of a conflict that could engulf the region.

The Iran-backed Lebanese Shi'ite group Hezbollah believes a US war on Iran is unlikely and US President Donald Trump would not be able to control the results of a conflict that could engulf the region. Sheikh Naim Qassem, in an interview with Lebanon's al-Joumhouria newspaper, said such a war would be fought on many fronts, not just one, meaning losses would be countless. "At the regional level, we see as unlikely an American war against Iran for many reasons, the most important of them being first that Iran is a strong state with important defensive capabilities," Qassem said. Trump "does not benefit from a war that he can start but whose results he cannot control and which might begin with Iran but may be accompanied by the region being set on fire", he said. Hezbollah is a heavily armed group founded by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 1982 that has fought more recently in regional conflicts including Syria and Iraq as part of a Tehran-backed alliance. Qassem noted what he described as "the great accomplishments" of the alliance led by Iran over the last two decades in "Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen and elsewhere". The United States views Hezbollah as a terrorist group. On Wednesday, Trump said any war between Iran and the United States would be swift, but reiterated his desire to avoid a military confrontation even while blasting Tehran’s leaders. The United States has imposed crippling financial sanctions against Iran since last year when Trump withdrew from a 2015 deal between Tehran and world powers under which Iran curbed its nuclear programme. Tension has escalated sharply since last month when the Trump administration tightened its sanctions noose, ordering all countries to halt purchases of Iranian oil.

Hezbollah sees United States war on Iran as unlikely: Report

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-it-has-indisputable-evidence-us-drone-violated-its-airspace-229116">Iran</a> warned the United States against violating its borders, with parliament speaker Ali Larijani threatening a stronger reaction, the Tasnim news agency said on Thursday, a week after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/have-military-intelligence-to-show-us-drone-was-iranian-airspace-russia-230296">Tehran shot down a US drone</a>, spiking tension between them.

"The downing of their drone was a good experience for them to avoid any aggression against our borders," the semi-official agency quoted Larijani as saying late on Wednesday.

"Iran's reaction will be stronger if they repeat their mistake of violating our borders."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-us-drone-p-8-plane-with-35-on-board-also-entered-airspace-we-could-have-shot-it-down-but-didnt-iran-revolutionary-guard-229268">Iran</a> said the unmanned US aircraft was in its air space, which Washington denied&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-hard-to-believe-iranian-shooting-down-of-us-drone-was-intentional-229050">Trump</a> ordered retaliatory air strikes but called them off at the last minute, later saying too many people would have died.

The rhetoric between the sides has heated up, with Trump threatening Iran's "obliteration". On Wednesday, Trump said any war between Iran and the United States would be swift, but reiterated his desire to avoid a military confrontation even while blasting Tehran’s leaders.

Some 116 Iranian human rights defenders and groups around the globe have warned of "devastating" consequences of a military conflict between the arch-foes, said the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI).

"We also fear that military action against Iran will be disastrous for millions of ordinary people and could lead to the type of violent sectarian civil conflict seen in neighbouring countries," said a statement signed by activists, lawyers and journalists.

Tehran and Washington have been at odds since last year when Trump exited Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with major powers and reimposed sanctions that had been lifted under the pact in return for Tehran limiting its nuclear work, including its enrichment of uranium.

In reaction to Washington's increasingly crippling sanctions, Tehran has quadrupled its production of uranium and said on Wednesday it will exceed limits, set by the nuclear deal, on its enrichment of uranium as of Thursday unless EU took steps to save the deal.

In an unprecedented step that has increased tensions, Trump on Monday targeted Iran’s top authority Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior Iranian officials with new US sanctions. Iran has rejected the latest sanctions as an "idiotic" move.

Iran warned the United States against violating its borders, with parliament speaker Ali Larijani threatening a stronger reaction, the Tasnim news agency said on Thursday, a week after Tehran shot down a US drone, spiking tension between them.

Iran warned the United States against violating its borders, with parliament speaker Ali Larijani threatening a stronger reaction, the Tasnim news agency said on Thursday, a week after Tehran shot down a US drone, spiking tension between them. "The downing of their drone was a good experience for them to avoid any aggression against our borders," the semi-official agency quoted Larijani as saying late on Wednesday. "Iran's reaction will be stronger if they repeat their mistake of violating our borders." Iran said the unmanned US aircraft was in its air space, which Washington denied Trump ordered retaliatory air strikes but called them off at the last minute, later saying too many people would have died. The rhetoric between the sides has heated up, with Trump threatening Iran's "obliteration". On Wednesday, Trump said any war between Iran and the United States would be swift, but reiterated his desire to avoid a military confrontation even while blasting Tehran’s leaders. Some 116 Iranian human rights defenders and groups around the globe have warned of "devastating" consequences of a military conflict between the arch-foes, said the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI). "We also fear that military action against Iran will be disastrous for millions of ordinary people and could lead to the type of violent sectarian civil conflict seen in neighbouring countries," said a statement signed by activists, lawyers and journalists. Tehran and Washington have been at odds since last year when Trump exited Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with major powers and reimposed sanctions that had been lifted under the pact in return for Tehran limiting its nuclear work, including its enrichment of uranium. In reaction to Washington's increasingly crippling sanctions, Tehran has quadrupled its production of uranium and said on Wednesday it will exceed limits, set by the nuclear deal, on its enrichment of uranium as of Thursday unless EU took steps to save the deal. In an unprecedented step that has increased tensions, Trump on Monday targeted Iran’s top authority Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior Iranian officials with new US sanctions. Iran has rejected the latest sanctions as an "idiotic" move.

Iran warns United States of stronger reaction if its borders violated again: Tasnim

The race is being aided and abetted by a US policy that views the region through the dual prism of the need to stop in its tracks an aggressive, expansionary and destabilising Islamic republic that seeks to dominate and as a lucrative market for the US defence and nuclear industry.

The race is further enabled by the inability or unwillingness of other major powers – Europe, Russia and China – to counter crippling US sanctions against Iran in ways that would ensure that Tehran maintains an interest in adhering to the 2015 international agreement that curbed the Iranian nuclear program despite last year’s US withdrawal from the deal.

With the Middle East teetering on the brink of a military confrontation, Iran has vowed to next month start breaching the agreement if the international community, and particularly Europe, fails to shield it against US sanctions.

Former International Atomic Energy Agency (IEA) deputy director general Olli Heinonen, a hard-liner when it comes to Iran, asserted recently during a visit to Israel that Iran would need six to eight months to enrich uranium in the quantity and quality required to produce a nuclear bomb.

The US and Chinese willingness to lower safeguards in their nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia further fuel Iranian doubts about the value of the nuclear agreement and potentially open the door to a nuclear arms race.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo left this weekend for visits to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates before joining President Donald J Trump for visits to India and South Korea and talks with world leaders at a Group of 20 (G20) summit in Japan.

“We’ll be talking with them about how to make sure that we are all strategically aligned, and how we can build out a global coalition, a coalition not only throughout the Gulf states, but in Asia and in Europe…to push back against the world’s largest state sponsor of terror,” Pompeo said as he departed Washington.

Trump this weekend detailed the prism through which he approaches the Middle East in a wide-ranging interview with NBC News.

The president deflected calls for an FBI investigation into last October’s murder by Saudi government agents of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul.

“Iran’s killed many, many people a day. Other countries in the Middle East ― this is a hostile place. This is a vicious, hostile place. If you’re going to look at Saudi Arabia, look at Iran, look at other countries,” Trump said, suggesting that crimes by one country provide a license to others.

Asked whether Saudi arms buying was reason to let Saudi Arabia off the hook, Trump responded: “No, no. But I’m not like a fool that says, ‘We don’t want to do business with them.’ And by the way, if they don’t do business with us, you know what they do? They’ll do business with the Russians or with the Chinese.”

Trump and other senior US officials reiterated in recent days that they would not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.

Europe has so far unsuccessfully sought to put in place an effective mechanism that would allow European and potentially non-European companies that do business with Iran to circumvent US sanctions unscathed.&nbsp;

As the United States prepared to announce new sanctions, Russia said it would help Iran with oil exports and its banking sector if the European mechanism failed to get off the ground but offered no details.

While countering the sanctions is Iran’s immediate priority, Saudi moves, with the help of the Trump administration as well as China, to put in place the building blocks for a nuclear industry that could develop a military component and a ballistic missiles capability are likely to enhance Iranian questioning of the nuclear accord’s value.

Trump’s argument that Russia and China would fill America’s shoes if the United States refused to sell arms and technology to Saudi Arabia is not wholly without merit even if it fails to justify a lack of safeguards in the provision of nuclear technology to the kingdom.

With the United States refusing to share its most advanced drone technology, China opened in 2017 its first overseas defense production facility in Saudi Arabia. State-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is manufacturing its CH-4 Caihong, or Rainbow drone as well as associated equipment in Saudi Arabia. The CH-4 is comparable to the US armed MQ-9 Reaper drone.

Satellite images discovered by the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and confirmed by US intelligence show that Saudi Arabia has significantly escalated its ballistic missile program with the help of China.

The missile programme runs counter to US policy that for decades sought to ensure that Saudi Arabia had air supremacy in the region so that it wouldn't seek to go around the US to upgrade its missile capabilities.

The programme that started in the late 1980s with Saudi Arabia’s first clandestine missile purchases from China suggests that the kingdom, uncertain about the reliability of the United States, is increasingly hedging its bets.

Saudi development of a ballistic missile capability significantly dims any prospect of Iran agreeing to limit its missile programme – a key demand put forward by the Trump administration.

Saudi Arabia signed in 2017 a nuclear energy cooperation agreement with China that included a feasibility study for the construction of high-temperature gas-cooled (HTGR) nuclear power plants in the kingdom as well as cooperation in intellectual property and the development of a domestic industrial supply chain for HTGRs built in Saudi Arabia.

The HTGR agreement built on an accord signed in 2012 that involved maintenance and development of nuclear power plants and research reactors, as well as the provision of Chinese nuclear fuel.

The Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) warned at the time that the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement had “not eliminated the kingdom’s desire for nuclear weapons capabilities and even nuclear weapons.”

The Trump administration, eager to corner a deal for the acquisition of designs for nuclear power plants, a contract valued at up to $80 billion depending on how many Saudi Arabia ultimately decides to build, has approved several nuclear technology transfers to the kingdom.

It has also approved licences for six US firms to sell atomic power technology to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia is nearing completion of its first atomic reactor in the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology near Riyadh.

A signatory of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Saudi Arabia has ignored calls by the IEA, to implement proportionate safeguards and an inspection regime that would ensure that it does not move towards the development of a nuclear military capability.

"Saudi Arabia is currently subject to less intrusive monitoring by international inspectors because Riyadh concluded what is known as a small quantities protocol with the agency. The small quantities protocol was designed to simplify safeguards for states with minimal or no nuclear material, but it is no longer adequate for Saudi Arabia's expanding nuclear programme,” Kelsey Davenport, director of Non-proliferation Policy at the Arms Control Association, told Middle East Eye.

Davenport warned that “given these factors, there are legitimate reasons to be concerned that Saudi Arabia is seeking to develop the technical capabilities that would allow Riyadh to quickly pursue nuclear weapons if the political decision were made to do so." 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

The race is being aided and abetted by a US policy that views the region through the dual prism of the need to stop in its tracks an aggressive, expansionary and destabilising Islamic republic that seeks to dominate and as a lucrative market for the US defence and nuclear industry.

The race is being aided and abetted by a US policy that views the region through the dual prism of the need to stop in its tracks an aggressive, expansionary and destabilising Islamic republic that seeks to dominate and as a lucrative market for the US defence and nuclear industry. The race is further enabled by the inability or unwillingness of other major powers – Europe, Russia and China – to counter crippling US sanctions against Iran in ways that would ensure that Tehran maintains an interest in adhering to the 2015 international agreement that curbed the Iranian nuclear program despite last year’s US withdrawal from the deal. With the Middle East teetering on the brink of a military confrontation, Iran has vowed to next month start breaching the agreement if the international community, and particularly Europe, fails to shield it against US sanctions. Former International Atomic Energy Agency (IEA) deputy director general Olli Heinonen, a hard-liner when it comes to Iran, asserted recently during a visit to Israel that Iran would need six to eight months to enrich uranium in the quantity and quality required to produce a nuclear bomb. The US and Chinese willingness to lower safeguards in their nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia further fuel Iranian doubts about the value of the nuclear agreement and potentially open the door to a nuclear arms race. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo left this weekend for visits to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates before joining President Donald J Trump for visits to India and South Korea and talks with world leaders at a Group of 20 (G20) summit in Japan. “We’ll be talking with them about how to make sure that we are all strategically aligned, and how we can build out a global coalition, a coalition not only throughout the Gulf states, but in Asia and in Europe…to push back against the world’s largest state sponsor of terror,” Pompeo said as he departed Washington. Trump this weekend detailed the prism through which he approaches the Middle East in a wide-ranging interview with NBC News. The president deflected calls for an FBI investigation into last October’s murder by Saudi government agents of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul. “Iran’s killed many, many people a day. Other countries in the Middle East ― this is a hostile place. This is a vicious, hostile place. If you’re going to look at Saudi Arabia, look at Iran, look at other countries,” Trump said, suggesting that crimes by one country provide a license to others. Asked whether Saudi arms buying was reason to let Saudi Arabia off the hook, Trump responded: “No, no. But I’m not like a fool that says, ‘We don’t want to do business with them.’ And by the way, if they don’t do business with us, you know what they do? They’ll do business with the Russians or with the Chinese.” Trump and other senior US officials reiterated in recent days that they would not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. Europe has so far unsuccessfully sought to put in place an effective mechanism that would allow European and potentially non-European companies that do business with Iran to circumvent US sanctions unscathed. As the United States prepared to announce new sanctions, Russia said it would help Iran with oil exports and its banking sector if the European mechanism failed to get off the ground but offered no details. While countering the sanctions is Iran’s immediate priority, Saudi moves, with the help of the Trump administration as well as China, to put in place the building blocks for a nuclear industry that could develop a military component and a ballistic missiles capability are likely to enhance Iranian questioning of the nuclear accord’s value. Trump’s argument that Russia and China would fill America’s shoes if the United States refused to sell arms and technology to Saudi Arabia is not wholly without merit even if it fails to justify a lack of safeguards in the provision of nuclear technology to the kingdom. With the United States refusing to share its most advanced drone technology, China opened in 2017 its first overseas defense production facility in Saudi Arabia. State-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is manufacturing its CH-4 Caihong, or Rainbow drone as well as associated equipment in Saudi Arabia. The CH-4 is comparable to the US armed MQ-9 Reaper drone. Satellite images discovered by the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and confirmed by US intelligence show that Saudi Arabia has significantly escalated its ballistic missile program with the help of China. The missile programme runs counter to US policy that for decades sought to ensure that Saudi Arabia had air supremacy in the region so that it wouldn't seek to go around the US to upgrade its missile capabilities. The programme that started in the late 1980s with Saudi Arabia’s first clandestine missile purchases from China suggests that the kingdom, uncertain about the reliability of the United States, is increasingly hedging its bets. Saudi development of a ballistic missile capability significantly dims any prospect of Iran agreeing to limit its missile programme – a key demand put forward by the Trump administration. Saudi Arabia signed in 2017 a nuclear energy cooperation agreement with China that included a feasibility study for the construction of high-temperature gas-cooled (HTGR) nuclear power plants in the kingdom as well as cooperation in intellectual property and the development of a domestic industrial supply chain for HTGRs built in Saudi Arabia. The HTGR agreement built on an accord signed in 2012 that involved maintenance and development of nuclear power plants and research reactors, as well as the provision of Chinese nuclear fuel. The Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) warned at the time that the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement had “not eliminated the kingdom’s desire for nuclear weapons capabilities and even nuclear weapons.” The Trump administration, eager to corner a deal for the acquisition of designs for nuclear power plants, a contract valued at up to $80 billion depending on how many Saudi Arabia ultimately decides to build, has approved several nuclear technology transfers to the kingdom. It has also approved licences for six US firms to sell atomic power technology to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is nearing completion of its first atomic reactor in the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology near Riyadh. A signatory of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Saudi Arabia has ignored calls by the IEA, to implement proportionate safeguards and an inspection regime that would ensure that it does not move towards the development of a nuclear military capability. "Saudi Arabia is currently subject to less intrusive monitoring by international inspectors because Riyadh concluded what is known as a small quantities protocol with the agency. The small quantities protocol was designed to simplify safeguards for states with minimal or no nuclear material, but it is no longer adequate for Saudi Arabia's expanding nuclear programme,” Kelsey Davenport, director of Non-proliferation Policy at the Arms Control Association, told Middle East Eye. Davenport warned that “given these factors, there are legitimate reasons to be concerned that Saudi Arabia is seeking to develop the technical capabilities that would allow Riyadh to quickly pursue nuclear weapons if the political decision were made to do so." (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

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