Iran's&nbsp;chief&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;negotiator&nbsp;Ali Bagheri Kani will return to&nbsp;Vienna&nbsp;on Sunday evening for&nbsp;talks&nbsp;on resolving the remaining issues in indirect negotiations with the United States to revive a 2015 deal, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Bagheri Kani, who flew to Tehran last week for consultations with Iranian officials, will "pursue the negotiations with a clear agenda aimed at resolving" the remaining issues, IRNA said.

Nournews, which is affiliated to&nbsp;Iran's&nbsp;Supreme National Security Council that is in charge of the&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;talks&nbsp;dossier, said a council meeting stressed "the need to quickly resolve the remaining issues that border between agreement and dead end".

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It did not name the sticking points, but the main remaining disputes appear to include the extent of sanctions rollback and questions about uranium traces found at several old but undeclared sites.

"No restriction on time can prevent the continuation of the&nbsp;talks&nbsp;for a good agreement," Nournews added.

Iran has made clear it wants an end to the oil and banking sanctions that are hurting its economy, while insisting also on the lifting of human rights and terrorism-related curbs.

On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said Tehran was ready to "immediately conclude" a deal in&nbsp;talks&nbsp;to revive its 2015&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;accord with world powers if Western powers show real will.

"Seriously reviewing draft of the agreement...Our red lines are made clear to Western parties. Ready to immediately conclude a good deal, should they show real will," Amirabdollahian said on Twitter.

Ambirabdollahin is due on Tuesday to report to the Iranian parliament on the progress of the&nbsp;talks, local media said.

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On Friday, a senior U.S. State Department official said&nbsp;negotiators had made significant progress in the past week or so on reviving the deal but very tough issues remained.

The pact was abandoned in 2018 by then-US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, who also reimposed extensive sanctions on Iran.

The deal between Iran and world powers limited Tehran's enrichment of uranium to make it harder for it to develop material for&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;weapons, if it chose to, in return for a lifting of interntional sanctions against Tehran.

Other parties to the deal - Britain, China, France, Germany, and Russia - have shuttled between the two sides during the&nbsp;Vienna&nbsp;talks.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani will return to Vienna on Sunday evening for talks on resolving the remaining issues in indirect negotiations with the United States to revive a 2015 deal, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani will return to Vienna on Sunday evening for talks on resolving the remaining issues in indirect negotiations with the United States to revive a 2015 deal, the official IRNA news agency reported. Bagheri Kani, who flew to Tehran last week for consultations with Iranian officials, will "pursue the negotiations with a clear agenda aimed at resolving" the remaining issues, IRNA said. Nournews, which is affiliated to Iran's Supreme National Security Council that is in charge of the nuclear talks dossier, said a council meeting stressed "the need to quickly resolve the remaining issues that border between agreement and dead end". Also read | Iran warns West not to challenge red lines in Vienna nuke talks It did not name the sticking points, but the main remaining disputes appear to include the extent of sanctions rollback and questions about uranium traces found at several old but undeclared sites. "No restriction on time can prevent the continuation of the talks for a good agreement," Nournews added. Iran has made clear it wants an end to the oil and banking sanctions that are hurting its economy, while insisting also on the lifting of human rights and terrorism-related curbs. On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said Tehran was ready to "immediately conclude" a deal in talks to revive its 2015 nuclear accord with world powers if Western powers show real will. "Seriously reviewing draft of the agreement...Our red lines are made clear to Western parties. Ready to immediately conclude a good deal, should they show real will," Amirabdollahian said on Twitter. Ambirabdollahin is due on Tuesday to report to the Iranian parliament on the progress of the talks, local media said. Also read | 'MuddyWater': Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security running malicious cyber campaigns, warns US On Friday, a senior U.S. State Department official said negotiators had made significant progress in the past week or so on reviving the deal but very tough issues remained. The pact was abandoned in 2018 by then-US President Donald Trump, who also reimposed extensive sanctions on Iran. The deal between Iran and world powers limited Tehran's enrichment of uranium to make it harder for it to develop material for nuclear weapons, if it chose to, in return for a lifting of interntional sanctions against Tehran. Other parties to the deal - Britain, China, France, Germany, and Russia - have shuttled between the two sides during the Vienna talks.

Iran's nuclear negotiator returns to Vienna for talks

Adviser to Iran's foreign minister dies of coronavirus

An adviser to Iran's foreign minister who took part in the 1979 US embassy hostage crisis has died from coronavirus, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Hossein Sheikholeslam, "a veteran and revolutionary diplomat" died late Thursday, IRNA said.

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Iran has been scrambling to contain the rapid spread of coronavirus which so far has infected 3,513 people and killed at least 107 people in the Islamic republic.

Six of those who died from coronavirus are politicians or government officials.

Before his death Sheikholeslam was advisor to Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

A former ambassador to Syria, he also served as deputy foreign minister from 1981 to 1997.

Sheikholeslam was also one of the students involved in the 1979 Iran hostage crisis.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-in-iran-three-senior-politicians-die-total-death-toll-rises-to-107-284639">Coronavirus in Iran: Three senior politicians die, total death toll rises to 107</a>

That year, and less than nine months after the toppling of the American-backed shah, Iranian students stormed the US embassy in Tehran and took 52 Americans hostage.

This prompted Washington to sever diplomatic ties with Iran in 1980.

The hostages were freed in January 1981, after 444 days in captivity.

The novel coronavirus has also claimed the lives of other high-profile Iranian officials, including Mohammad Mirmohammadi of the Expediency Council which advises supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Other officials who died of coronavirus include MP Mohammad Ali Ramezani and Mojtaba Pourkhanali, an agriculture ministry official, both from Gilan, one of the country's worst-hit provinces.

The others were Ahmad Toyserkani, an adviser to the judiciary chief, Hadi Khosroshahi, a former envoy to Vatican and Mojtaba Fazeli, a secretary to a senior cleric.

Tehran MP Fatemeh Rahbar is currently in a coma after being infected, according to ISNA news agency.

A host of other officials have been infected and are under quarantine, including vice-president Masoumeh Ebtekar, deputy health minister Iraj Harirchi and grand ayatollah Musa Shobairi Zanjani, who is considered one of the highest religious authorities.

Iran has closed schools and universities, suspended major cultural and sporting events and reduced working hours across the country to halt the rapid spread of coronavirus, which has spread to all of its 31 provinces

Adviser to Iran's foreign minister dies of coronavirus An adviser to Iran's foreign minister who took part in the 1979 US embassy hostage crisis has died from coronavirus, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Adviser to Iran's foreign minister dies of coronavirus An adviser to Iran's foreign minister who took part in the 1979 US embassy hostage crisis has died from coronavirus, the official IRNA news agency reported. Hossein Sheikholeslam, "a veteran and revolutionary diplomat" died late Thursday, IRNA said. Also Read: Prominent cleric dies as coronavirus death toll rises to 26 in Iran Iran has been scrambling to contain the rapid spread of coronavirus which so far has infected 3,513 people and killed at least 107 people in the Islamic republic. Six of those who died from coronavirus are politicians or government officials. Before his death Sheikholeslam was advisor to Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. A former ambassador to Syria, he also served as deputy foreign minister from 1981 to 1997. Sheikholeslam was also one of the students involved in the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. Also Read: Coronavirus in Iran: Three senior politicians die, total death toll rises to 107 That year, and less than nine months after the toppling of the American-backed shah, Iranian students stormed the US embassy in Tehran and took 52 Americans hostage. This prompted Washington to sever diplomatic ties with Iran in 1980. The hostages were freed in January 1981, after 444 days in captivity. The novel coronavirus has also claimed the lives of other high-profile Iranian officials, including Mohammad Mirmohammadi of the Expediency Council which advises supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Other officials who died of coronavirus include MP Mohammad Ali Ramezani and Mojtaba Pourkhanali, an agriculture ministry official, both from Gilan, one of the country's worst-hit provinces. The others were Ahmad Toyserkani, an adviser to the judiciary chief, Hadi Khosroshahi, a former envoy to Vatican and Mojtaba Fazeli, a secretary to a senior cleric. Tehran MP Fatemeh Rahbar is currently in a coma after being infected, according to ISNA news agency. A host of other officials have been infected and are under quarantine, including vice-president Masoumeh Ebtekar, deputy health minister Iraj Harirchi and grand ayatollah Musa Shobairi Zanjani, who is considered one of the highest religious authorities. Iran has closed schools and universities, suspended major cultural and sporting events and reduced working hours across the country to halt the rapid spread of coronavirus, which has spread to all of its 31 provinces

Adviser to Iran's foreign minister dies of coronavirus

Iran arrested eight people "linked to the CIA" during <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-of-banks-and-government-sites-burned-in-iran-unrest-interior-minister-abdolreza-rahmani-fazli-264898">street violence</a> that erupted in nationwide demonstrations against a decision to hike fuel prices, state news agency IRNA reported late Wednesday.

"Some elements who tried to collect information about the recent riots and send them out of the country... were identified and arrested," IRNA quoted the director-general of the intelligence ministry's counter-espionage department as saying.

Six of those arrested were alleged to have been "attending the riots and carrying out orders", IRNA said, without naming the official.

Two others accused of trying to collect information and transfer it abroad were arrested before they could leave the country, the news agency said.

They had all been "trained in different countries on how to collect information... as citizen-journalists", it added.

Iran's arch-foe the United States said on Tuesday it had received thousands of messages from the Islamic republic about protests, including photos and videos, after issuing an appeal for them to defy internet restrictions.

"We've received to date nearly 20,000 messages, videos, pictures, notes of the regime's abuses through Telegram messaging services," Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beijing-slams-pompeo-for-outdated-cold-war-thinking-in-berlin-speech-against-china-261668">Mike Pompeo</a> said, referring to the encrypted app.

The unrest, triggered by a sharp rise in petrol prices, came after a year and a half of biting sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump that aim to contain Iran's regional role.

Amnesty International said Monday that at least 143 demonstrators have been killed since November 15 in Iran's crackdown.

Iran arrested eight people "linked to the CIA" during street violence that erupted in nationwide demonstrations against a decision to hike fuel prices, state news agency IRNA reported late Wednesday.

Iran arrested eight people "linked to the CIA" during street violence that erupted in nationwide demonstrations against a decision to hike fuel prices, state news agency IRNA reported late Wednesday. "Some elements who tried to collect information about the recent riots and send them out of the country... were identified and arrested," IRNA quoted the director-general of the intelligence ministry's counter-espionage department as saying. Six of those arrested were alleged to have been "attending the riots and carrying out orders", IRNA said, without naming the official. Two others accused of trying to collect information and transfer it abroad were arrested before they could leave the country, the news agency said. They had all been "trained in different countries on how to collect information... as citizen-journalists", it added. Iran's arch-foe the United States said on Tuesday it had received thousands of messages from the Islamic republic about protests, including photos and videos, after issuing an appeal for them to defy internet restrictions. "We've received to date nearly 20,000 messages, videos, pictures, notes of the regime's abuses through Telegram messaging services," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, referring to the encrypted app. The unrest, triggered by a sharp rise in petrol prices, came after a year and a half of biting sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump that aim to contain Iran's regional role. Amnesty International said Monday that at least 143 demonstrators have been killed since November 15 in Iran's crackdown.

Iran arrests eight 'linked to CIA' during unrest: State media

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran reportedly shot down a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gulf-of-oman-tanker-attacks-un-chief-pushes-for-an-independent-probe-as-iran-rejects-us-blame-227226">US</a> Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk spy drone, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

The news agency reported that the incident took place in the coastal Hormozgan province, facing the Persian Gulf.

In a statement issued by the IRGC said the US surveillance drone was brought down by its Air Force near the Kouh-e Mobarak region — which sits in the central district of Jask County — after the aircraft violated Iranian airspace.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is Iran's premier military force.

The United States Armed Forces&nbsp;spokesman, declined to comment when asked if a US spy drone was shot down.

The report comes amid increased tensions between US and Iran with Washington announcing a new deployment of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-approves-deployment-of-1000-additional-troops-to-middle-east-amid-iran-tensions-228136">additional forces of 1000</a> to the Middle East.

The US has accused Iran of being behind a series of operations against oil tankers in highly sensitive Gulf waters.&nbsp;

Tehran has denied involvement and instead suggested Washington could be the author of the attacks, using the operation to justify force against Iran.

Hormozgan borders the Strait of Hormuz, where the tanker attacks took place.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran reportedly shot down a US Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk spy drone, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran reportedly shot down a US Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk spy drone, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. The news agency reported that the incident took place in the coastal Hormozgan province, facing the Persian Gulf. In a statement issued by the IRGC said the US surveillance drone was brought down by its Air Force near the Kouh-e Mobarak region — which sits in the central district of Jask County — after the aircraft violated Iranian airspace. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is Iran's premier military force. The United States Armed Forces spokesman, declined to comment when asked if a US spy drone was shot down. The report comes amid increased tensions between US and Iran with Washington announcing a new deployment of additional forces of 1000 to the Middle East. The US has accused Iran of being behind a series of operations against oil tankers in highly sensitive Gulf waters. Tehran has denied involvement and instead suggested Washington could be the author of the attacks, using the operation to justify force against Iran. Hormozgan borders the Strait of Hormuz, where the tanker attacks took place.

Iran claims shooting down American drone, US military declines to comment

Iran has been holding talks with <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/8-taliban-militants-killed-in-afghanistan-185979">Afghanistan's Taliban</a> with the knowledge of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/death-toll-in-kabul-attack-rises-to-43-health-ministry-186264">the Afghan government</a>, a senior Iranian security official was quoted by the official news agency IRNA as saying on Wednesday during a visit to Kabul.

The news came days after reports last week of talks between US and Taliban officials over proposals for a ceasefire in Afghanistan and a future withdrawal of foreign troops ahead of possible peace negotiations.

Talks between Iran and the Taliban were held "to help curb the security problems in Afghanistan," Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was quoted by IRNA as saying.

"All contacts and talks with the Taliban group have been with the knowledge of Afghanistan's government and this process will continue," he said. He gave no further details.

Majority-Shi'ite Iran has long had close ties to Shi'ites in neighbouring Afghanistan whose militias have fought the Taliban's Sunni militants.

But in recent months Afghan officials have accused Tehran, which the United States says is trying to extend its influence in western Afghanistan, of providing the Taliban with money, weapons and explosives. Iran denies that.

Earlier this month, Afghan forces abandoned a remote western district bordering Iran, leaving the area to the Taliban after the government failed to resupply troops stationed there.

In November, the United States displayed pieces of what it said were Iranian weapons supplied to militants in Yemen and Afghanistan, a move by Washington to pressure Tehran to curb its regional activities. Iran denies supplying arms to the militants.

In October, the United States accused Iran of providing military training, financing and weapons to the Taliban and targeted sanctions against eight individuals, including two linked to the Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Tehran denies the accusations. 
&nbsp;

Iran has been holding talks with Afghanistan's Taliban with the knowledge of the Afghan government, a senior Iranian security official was quoted by the official news agency IRNA as saying on Wednesday during a visit to Kabul.

Iran has been holding talks with Afghanistan's Taliban with the knowledge of the Afghan government, a senior Iranian security official was quoted by the official news agency IRNA as saying on Wednesday during a visit to Kabul. The news came days after reports last week of talks between US and Taliban officials over proposals for a ceasefire in Afghanistan and a future withdrawal of foreign troops ahead of possible peace negotiations. Talks between Iran and the Taliban were held "to help curb the security problems in Afghanistan," Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was quoted by IRNA as saying. "All contacts and talks with the Taliban group have been with the knowledge of Afghanistan's government and this process will continue," he said. He gave no further details. Majority-Shi'ite Iran has long had close ties to Shi'ites in neighbouring Afghanistan whose militias have fought the Taliban's Sunni militants. But in recent months Afghan officials have accused Tehran, which the United States says is trying to extend its influence in western Afghanistan, of providing the Taliban with money, weapons and explosives. Iran denies that. Earlier this month, Afghan forces abandoned a remote western district bordering Iran, leaving the area to the Taliban after the government failed to resupply troops stationed there. In November, the United States displayed pieces of what it said were Iranian weapons supplied to militants in Yemen and Afghanistan, a move by Washington to pressure Tehran to curb its regional activities. Iran denies supplying arms to the militants. In October, the United States accused Iran of providing military training, financing and weapons to the Taliban and targeted sanctions against eight individuals, including two linked to the Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Tehran denies the accusations.

Iran in talks with Afghan Taliban: Report

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