British Prime Minister Boris Johnson accused Tehran of being behind attacks on Saudi oil installations, in remarks to reporters en route to New York where he will meet&nbsp;Iran's president.

"I can tell you that the UK is attributing responsibility with a very high degree of probability to Iran for the Aramco attacks," he said, cited by Britain's Press Association news agency on Monday.

He is due to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the UN General Assembly in New York.

He will also discuss the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mike-pompeo-says-abundantly-clear-iran-was-behind-saudi-oil-attacks-250674">attacks </a>at a joint meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"We think it very likely indeed that Iran was indeed responsible for using both UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), both drones and cruise missiles," Johnson told reporters.

"Clearly the difficulty is, how do we organise a global response? What is the way forward? And we will be working with our American friends and our European friends to construct a response that tries to de-escalate tensions in the Gulf region", he added.

The United States has accused <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-may-release-british-flagged-tanker-within-hours-swedish-owner-251217">Tehran</a> of carrying out air attacks on Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq plant and the Khurais oil field on September 14, knocking out half the kingdom's oil production.

Iran denies responsibility for the attacks which were claimed by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-to-present-plan-for-gulf-security-at-un-this-week-251202">Iranian-backed </a>Huthi rebels in Yemen.

Johnson said,&nbsp;"clearly if we are asked either by the Saudis or the Americans to have a role then we would consider in what way we could be useful."

The British premier also said he would raise the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian mother held in Tehran since 2016, when he meets with Rouhani.

Johnson has been accused of making her plight worse when, in a previous job as foreign minister, he said she had been training journalists in Iran before she was arrested for sedition.

Her family strongly denies this and he swiftly backtracked. Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the media group's philanthropic arm, denies all charges.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson accused Tehran of being behind attacks on Saudi oil installations, in remarks to reporters en route to New York where he will meet Iran's president.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson accused Tehran of being behind attacks on Saudi oil installations, in remarks to reporters en route to New York where he will meet Iran's president. "I can tell you that the UK is attributing responsibility with a very high degree of probability to Iran for the Aramco attacks," he said, cited by Britain's Press Association news agency on Monday. He is due to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the UN General Assembly in New York. He will also discuss the attacks at a joint meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "We think it very likely indeed that Iran was indeed responsible for using both UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), both drones and cruise missiles," Johnson told reporters. "Clearly the difficulty is, how do we organise a global response? What is the way forward? And we will be working with our American friends and our European friends to construct a response that tries to de-escalate tensions in the Gulf region", he added. The United States has accused Tehran of carrying out air attacks on Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq plant and the Khurais oil field on September 14, knocking out half the kingdom's oil production. Iran denies responsibility for the attacks which were claimed by Iranian-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen. Johnson said, "clearly if we are asked either by the Saudis or the Americans to have a role then we would consider in what way we could be useful." The British premier also said he would raise the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian mother held in Tehran since 2016, when he meets with Rouhani. Johnson has been accused of making her plight worse when, in a previous job as foreign minister, he said she had been training journalists in Iran before she was arrested for sedition. Her family strongly denies this and he swiftly backtracked. Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the media group's philanthropic arm, denies all charges.

Iran behind attacks on Saudi oil sites: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that the presence of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-issues-battlefield-warning-as-us-deploys-troops-251022">foreign forces creates "insecurity" in the Gulf</a>, after the US ordered the deployment of more troops to the region.

"Foreign forces can cause problems and insecurity for our people and for our region," Rouhani said in a televised speech at an annual military parade, adding that Iran would present to the UN a regional cooperation plan for peace.

Tensions escalated between arch-foes Iran and the United States after the devastating September 14 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-denies-successful-cyber-attacks-on-oil-sector-251063">attacks on Saudi oil installations</a> that Washington and Riyadh have blamed on Tehran.

Following the attacks, the United States announced on Friday that it was sending reinforcements to Saudi Arabia at "the kingdom's request".

In his speech on Sunday, Rouhani called on the foreign powers in the Gulf region to "stay away".

"If they're sincere, then they should not make our region the site of an arms race," he said.

"Your presence has always brought pain and misery for the region. The farther you keep yourselves from our region and our nations, the more security there will be for our region."

Rouhani said Iran would present a plan for peace to the United Nations in the coming days.

"In this sensitive and important historical moment, we announce to our neighbours, that we extend the hand of friendship and brotherhood to them," he said.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that the presence of foreign forces creates "insecurity" in the Gulf, after the US ordered the deployment of more troops to the region.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that the presence of foreign forces creates "insecurity" in the Gulf, after the US ordered the deployment of more troops to the region. "Foreign forces can cause problems and insecurity for our people and for our region," Rouhani said in a televised speech at an annual military parade, adding that Iran would present to the UN a regional cooperation plan for peace. Tensions escalated between arch-foes Iran and the United States after the devastating September 14 attacks on Saudi oil installations that Washington and Riyadh have blamed on Tehran. Following the attacks, the United States announced on Friday that it was sending reinforcements to Saudi Arabia at "the kingdom's request". In his speech on Sunday, Rouhani called on the foreign powers in the Gulf region to "stay away". "If they're sincere, then they should not make our region the site of an arms race," he said. "Your presence has always brought pain and misery for the region. The farther you keep yourselves from our region and our nations, the more security there will be for our region." Rouhani said Iran would present a plan for peace to the United Nations in the coming days. "In this sensitive and important historical moment, we announce to our neighbours, that we extend the hand of friendship and brotherhood to them," he said.

After US deployed more troops, Rouhani says foreign forces create 'insecurity' in Gulf

If Iran's oil exports are cut to zero, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wont-facilitate-iranian-tanker-to-deliver-oil-to-syria-greece-244605">international waterways</a> will not have the same security as before, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday at a meeting with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Khamenei's official website.

"World powers know that in the case that oil is completely sanctioned and Iran's oil exports are brought down to zero, international waterways can't have the same security as before," Rouhani said. "So unilateral pressure against Iran can't be to their advantage and won't guarantee their security in the region and the world."

Australia meanwhile said it would&nbsp;join the United States in a security mission to protect merchant vessels travelling through key Middle East waterways after Iran seized a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-will-act-if-iranian-tanker-tries-to-deliver-oil-to-syria-pompeo-244531">British-flagged vessel</a>.

Foremost among the areas to be patrolled is the Strait of Hormuz, between Oman and Iran, through which about one-fifth of the world's seaborne crude flows out of the Gulf.

Global commodity trading has been rocked in recent months by the seizure of the British tanker and a series of attacks on international merchant vessels that the US&nbsp;and Britain have blamed on Iran, though it denies involvement. Britain this month became the first US ally to announce its participation.

"This destabilising behaviour is a threat to Australia's interests in the region," Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told a news conference in Canberra. "Our contribution will be limited in scope and it will be time-bound."

Morrison said Australia would send a P-8A Poseidon surveillance plane to the Middle East for one month before the end of 2019, while an Australian frigate would be deployed for six months from January.

Australia is a staunch ally of the United States, which in recent months has urged partners to do more for global security.

Most European countries, which disagree with the US decision to reimpose sanctions on Iran, have been reluctant to sign up to the US-led mission for fear of adding to tension in the region.

President Donald Trump had withdrawn the US from a big-power deal in 2018 that had scrapped international sanctions in return for curbs on Iran's nuclear programme.

If Iran's oil exports are cut to zero, international waterways will not have the same security as before, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday at a meeting with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Khamenei's official website.

If Iran's oil exports are cut to zero, international waterways will not have the same security as before, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday at a meeting with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Khamenei's official website. "World powers know that in the case that oil is completely sanctioned and Iran's oil exports are brought down to zero, international waterways can't have the same security as before," Rouhani said. "So unilateral pressure against Iran can't be to their advantage and won't guarantee their security in the region and the world." Australia meanwhile said it would join the United States in a security mission to protect merchant vessels travelling through key Middle East waterways after Iran seized a British-flagged vessel. Foremost among the areas to be patrolled is the Strait of Hormuz, between Oman and Iran, through which about one-fifth of the world's seaborne crude flows out of the Gulf. Global commodity trading has been rocked in recent months by the seizure of the British tanker and a series of attacks on international merchant vessels that the US and Britain have blamed on Iran, though it denies involvement. Britain this month became the first US ally to announce its participation. "This destabilising behaviour is a threat to Australia's interests in the region," Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told a news conference in Canberra. "Our contribution will be limited in scope and it will be time-bound." Morrison said Australia would send a P-8A Poseidon surveillance plane to the Middle East for one month before the end of 2019, while an Australian frigate would be deployed for six months from January. Australia is a staunch ally of the United States, which in recent months has urged partners to do more for global security. Most European countries, which disagree with the US decision to reimpose sanctions on Iran, have been reluctant to sign up to the US-led mission for fear of adding to tension in the region. President Donald Trump had withdrawn the US from a big-power deal in 2018 that had scrapped international sanctions in return for curbs on Iran's nuclear programme.

International waterways won't be safe if Iran oil exports cut to zero: President Rouhani

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-proposes-consular-access-to-kulbhushan-jadhav-with-riders-239957">Pakistan proposes consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav with riders</a> 
 
The 42-page verdict was ruled 15 votes to one. The only Judge who ruled against is Ad Hoc Judge Jillani.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/uighurs-challenge-china-to-prove-missing-relatives-are-free-239974">Uighurs challenge China to prove missing relatives are free</a> 
 
Rights groups and experts say more than one million mostly Muslim ethnic minorities have been rounded up in internment camps in the tightly-controlled northwest region, home to China's Uighur population.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-chinas-army-garrison-in-hong-kong-releases-video-with-anti-riot-scenes-239968">Watch: China's army garrison in Hong Kong releases video with 'anti-riot' scenes</a> 
 
The three-minute video included footage of troops firing guns and rockets, and of light tanks, attack helicopters and missile launchers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rouhani-says-childish-of-us-to-sanction-iran-foreign-minister-zarif-239925">Rouhani says 'childish' of US to sanction Iran foreign minister Zarif</a> 
 
The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, blocking any property or interests he has in the United States. But Zarif said he had none.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-asking-asean-allies-to-choose-between-us-and-china-mike-pompeo-239944">Not asking ASEAN allies to 'choose' between US and China: Mike Pompeo</a>

The rivalry between the two superpowers is framed by a trade war that has cramped global growth and seeded uncertainty across Asia's economies.

Pakistan proposes consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav with riders The 42-page verdict was ruled 15 votes to one. The only Judge who ruled against is Ad Hoc Judge Jillani.

Pakistan proposes consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav with riders The 42-page verdict was ruled 15 votes to one. The only Judge who ruled against is Ad Hoc Judge Jillani. Uighurs challenge China to prove missing relatives are free Rights groups and experts say more than one million mostly Muslim ethnic minorities have been rounded up in internment camps in the tightly-controlled northwest region, home to China's Uighur population. Watch: China's army garrison in Hong Kong releases video with 'anti-riot' scenes The three-minute video included footage of troops firing guns and rockets, and of light tanks, attack helicopters and missile launchers. Rouhani says 'childish' of US to sanction Iran foreign minister Zarif The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, blocking any property or interests he has in the United States. But Zarif said he had none. Not asking ASEAN allies to 'choose' between US and China: Mike Pompeo The rivalry between the two superpowers is framed by a trade war that has cramped global growth and seeded uncertainty across Asia's economies.

News brief: Big stories of the day

In a cryptic message to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-should-respect-international-laws-britains-foreign-minister-239218">Iran amid rising</a> tensions in the Gulf, US president Donald Trump said that Iranians&nbsp;have "never won a war".

"Just remember, the Iranians never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!, the US president said in a tweet.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Just remember, the Iranians never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1155941248705761280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
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US president Trump who had pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran last year has imposed new sanctions againt Rouhani's government&nbsp;in the past few months leading to increased tensions in the Gulf with attack on tankers and downing of a US survellence drone by Iran's Republican Guards.

On Sunday, Iran termed Britain's move to send a European naval mission to escort tankers as "provocative" even as the UK government&nbsp;and Iran kept up the war of words over tanker seizure by the both sides.

Iran added that it considered Britain's seizure of an Iranian oil tanker a "breach"&nbsp;of the ailing 2015 nuclear deal,

Meanwhile, France said it was not willing to send extra military assets to the Gulf, but would share information and coordinate its currently deployed assets.

British authorities had detained an Iranian tanker the Grace 1 off its overseas territory Gibraltar with Iran taking control of British ship Stena Impero as tensions mounted between the two countries.

Iran government spokesman said it believed the country's security had to be maintained by countries in the region. Last week, Britain ordered its navy to escort UK-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz, where the Stena Impero was seized by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard.

The 33-kilometre (22-mile) wide Strait of Hormuz provides the eastern entrance and exit point into the Gulf and runs between the United Arab Emirates and Iran. 
&nbsp;

In a cryptic message to Iran amid rising tensions in the Gulf, US president Donald Trump said that Iranians have "never won a war". "Just remember, the Iranians never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!

In a cryptic message to Iran amid rising tensions in the Gulf, US president Donald Trump said that Iranians have "never won a war". "Just remember, the Iranians never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!, the US president said in a tweet. Just remember, the Iranians never won a war, but never lost a negotiation! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2019 × US president Trump who had pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran last year has imposed new sanctions againt Rouhani's government in the past few months leading to increased tensions in the Gulf with attack on tankers and downing of a US survellence drone by Iran's Republican Guards. On Sunday, Iran termed Britain's move to send a European naval mission to escort tankers as "provocative" even as the UK government and Iran kept up the war of words over tanker seizure by the both sides. Iran added that it considered Britain's seizure of an Iranian oil tanker a "breach" of the ailing 2015 nuclear deal, Meanwhile, France said it was not willing to send extra military assets to the Gulf, but would share information and coordinate its currently deployed assets. British authorities had detained an Iranian tanker the Grace 1 off its overseas territory Gibraltar with Iran taking control of British ship Stena Impero as tensions mounted between the two countries. Iran government spokesman said it believed the country's security had to be maintained by countries in the region. Last week, Britain ordered its navy to escort UK-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz, where the Stena Impero was seized by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard. The 33-kilometre (22-mile) wide Strait of Hormuz provides the eastern entrance and exit point into the Gulf and runs between the United Arab Emirates and Iran.

Iranians never won a war, but never lost a negotiation: Trump

Iran is ready for "just" negotiations but not if they mean surrender, Iran's<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-does-not-seek-confrontation-says-foreign-minister-mohammad-javad-zarif-after-tanker-seizure-237827"> President Hassan Rouhani</a> said on Wednesday, without saying what talks he had in mind.

Rouhani seemed to be referring to possible negotiations with the United States. US&nbsp;President Donald Trump withdrew from a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-chinese-oil-buyer-over-alleged-iran-violations-237836">landmark 2015 nuclear deal</a> with Iran last year but has said he is willing to hold talks with the Islamic Republic.

"As long as I have the responsibility for the executive duties of the country, we are completely ready for just, legal and honest negotiations to solve the problems," Rouhani said, according to his official website.

"But at the same time we are not ready to sit at the table of surrender under the name of negotiations."

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-vows-to-secure-strait-of-hormuz-238068/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Meanwhile, the US military said that a Navy ship had "destroyed" an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz after the aircraft threatened the vessel, but Iran said it had no information about losing a drone.

"This was a defensive action by the USS Boxer in response to aggressive interactions by two Iranian UAS platforms in international waters," Lieutenant Colonel Earl Brown, a US Central Command spokesman, said. UAS is an acronym for unmanned aerial system.

Tensions in the Gulf region are high, with fears that the United States and Iran could stumble into war.

The United States has blamed Iran for a series of attacks since mid-May on shipping around the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important oil artery. Tehran rejects the allegations.

Iran in June shot down a US military surveillance drone in the Gulf with a surface-to-air missile. Iran says the drone was in its airspace, but Washington says it was in international skies.

President Donald Trump said at the time the United States had come close to launching a military strike on Iran in retaliation for the downing of the US drone.

The increased use of drones by Iran and its allies for surveillance and attacks across the Middle East is raising alarms in Washington. 
&nbsp;

Iran is ready for "just" negotiations but not if they mean surrender, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday, without saying what talks he had in mind.

Iran is ready for "just" negotiations but not if they mean surrender, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday, without saying what talks he had in mind. Rouhani seemed to be referring to possible negotiations with the United States. US President Donald Trump withdrew from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran last year but has said he is willing to hold talks with the Islamic Republic. "As long as I have the responsibility for the executive duties of the country, we are completely ready for just, legal and honest negotiations to solve the problems," Rouhani said, according to his official website. "But at the same time we are not ready to sit at the table of surrender under the name of negotiations." Meanwhile, the US military said that a Navy ship had "destroyed" an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz after the aircraft threatened the vessel, but Iran said it had no information about losing a drone. "This was a defensive action by the USS Boxer in response to aggressive interactions by two Iranian UAS platforms in international waters," Lieutenant Colonel Earl Brown, a US Central Command spokesman, said. UAS is an acronym for unmanned aerial system. Tensions in the Gulf region are high, with fears that the United States and Iran could stumble into war. The United States has blamed Iran for a series of attacks since mid-May on shipping around the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important oil artery. Tehran rejects the allegations. Iran in June shot down a US military surveillance drone in the Gulf with a surface-to-air missile. Iran says the drone was in its airspace, but Washington says it was in international skies. President Donald Trump said at the time the United States had come close to launching a military strike on Iran in retaliation for the downing of the US drone. The increased use of drones by Iran and its allies for surveillance and attacks across the Middle East is raising alarms in Washington.

Ready for negotiations but will not surrender: Rouhani on standoff with US

Oil slipped to around $63 a barrel on Tuesday as concerns faded for now that rising tensions in the Middle East would escalate and hit oil supplies, compounding the impact of a weaker demand outlook.

Iran's capture of a British oil tanker late last week sparked concern about supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world's supply flows. Crude rose more than 1% on Monday.

On Tuesday, Brent crude fell 40 cents to $62.86 a barrel by 1052 GMT. US&nbsp;West Texas Intermediate crude slipped 20 cents to $56.02.

"The response of oil prices to the seizure of a British oil tanker by armed Iranian forces near the Strait of Hormuz has been amazingly muted so far," said Carsten Fritsch, an analyst at Commerzbank.

"It appears that the majority of market participants are convinced that there will be no open conflict between the West and Iran."

The tensions come as the United States aims to cut off Iran's oil exports and against the backdrop of supply cuts led by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries since the start of the year to prop up prices.

As part of that plan, the United States has sanctioned Chinese state-run energy company Zhuhai Zhenrong Co Ltd for allegedly violating restrictions imposed on Iran's oil sector.

But due to strong growth in supply from the United States and other non-OPEC producers, oil supply is exceeding demand, according to the International

A weaker outlook for oil demand due to slowing economic growth has weighed on prices, which are still up by 18% in 2019 helped by the OPEC-led Energy Agency, despite lower Iranian exports and OPEC's voluntary supply curbs supply pact.

"Although prices had been driven by supply developments in the first half of the year economic considerations are making oil bulls careful this month," said Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM.

Goldman Sachs on Sunday lowered its 2019 oil demand projection, joining other forecasters such as the IEA and OPEC in trimming its outlook for fuel use.

Oil may gain further support from expectations of another drop in US&nbsp;crude inventories in weekly reports due later on Tuesday and on Wednesday. Analysts expect a 3.4 million-barrel drop in crude stocks.

The American Petroleum Institute, an industry group, releases its inventory report at 2030 GMT.

Oil slipped to around $63 a barrel on Tuesday as concerns faded for now that rising tensions in the Middle East would escalate and hit oil supplies, compounding the impact of a weaker demand outlook.

Oil slipped to around $63 a barrel on Tuesday as concerns faded for now that rising tensions in the Middle East would escalate and hit oil supplies, compounding the impact of a weaker demand outlook. Iran's capture of a British oil tanker late last week sparked concern about supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world's supply flows. Crude rose more than 1% on Monday. On Tuesday, Brent crude fell 40 cents to $62.86 a barrel by 1052 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude slipped 20 cents to $56.02. "The response of oil prices to the seizure of a British oil tanker by armed Iranian forces near the Strait of Hormuz has been amazingly muted so far," said Carsten Fritsch, an analyst at Commerzbank. "It appears that the majority of market participants are convinced that there will be no open conflict between the West and Iran." The tensions come as the United States aims to cut off Iran's oil exports and against the backdrop of supply cuts led by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries since the start of the year to prop up prices. As part of that plan, the United States has sanctioned Chinese state-run energy company Zhuhai Zhenrong Co Ltd for allegedly violating restrictions imposed on Iran's oil sector. But due to strong growth in supply from the United States and other non-OPEC producers, oil supply is exceeding demand, according to the International A weaker outlook for oil demand due to slowing economic growth has weighed on prices, which are still up by 18% in 2019 helped by the OPEC-led Energy Agency, despite lower Iranian exports and OPEC's voluntary supply curbs supply pact. "Although prices had been driven by supply developments in the first half of the year economic considerations are making oil bulls careful this month," said Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM. Goldman Sachs on Sunday lowered its 2019 oil demand projection, joining other forecasters such as the IEA and OPEC in trimming its outlook for fuel use. Oil may gain further support from expectations of another drop in US crude inventories in weekly reports due later on Tuesday and on Wednesday. Analysts expect a 3.4 million-barrel drop in crude stocks. The American Petroleum Institute, an industry group, releases its inventory report at 2030 GMT.

Oil slips to around $63 as Iran concerns fades for now

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani urged Europe on Thursday to "accelerate" its efforts to salvage the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nuclear-deal-parties-not-ready-to-launch-dispute-mechanism-against-iran-prefer-more-diplomacy-european-union-236356">2015 nuclear deal</a>, during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron.

"Europe must accelerate its efforts to realise <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-prime-minister-blasts-european-union-for-trying-to-save-iran-nuclear-deal-236278">Iran's legitimate interests</a> and bring about a ceasefire (in Washington's) economic war" against Iran, Rouhani told Macron, according to the government's official website.

"Iran is determined to keep open all options" for preserving the landmark treaty, he added.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin and French leader Emmanuel Macron agreed on Thursday on the need to "consolidate efforts" to save the Iran nuclear deal following months of soaring tensions, the Kremlin said.

In a phone call, Putin and Macron agreed the Iran deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was an "important factor in ensuring security in the Middle East and maintaining a non-proliferation regime," the Kremlin said in a statement.

"Both sides stressed the advisability of consolidating efforts of all countries that are interested in preserving the Comprehensive Plan," it added.

US President Donald Trump last year withdrew from the accord negotiated by his predecessor Barack Obama with five other world powers under which Iran drastically scaled back its nuclear programme.

Trump instead imposed sweeping sanctions prohibiting Iranian oil exports in a bid to reduce the clerical regime's regional clout.

In Germany, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said "it would be a mistake to blame" Iran for the situation.

He said it was very important to reach "a common position of all the remaining parties of the JCPOA ... and we will not achieve a result if it is claimed that the safeguarding of this agreement depends solely on Iran".

His German counterpart Heiko Maas said that "we have always made it clear that we do not understand the exit of the United States from the JCPOA".

He added that "we expect Iran to respect its commitments -&nbsp;what has happened in recent days in Tehran is not acceptable".

Putin and Macron also discussed ways to settle a separatist conflict in Ukraine as the country is set to hold parliamentary elections on Sunday.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani urged Europe on Thursday to "accelerate" its efforts to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal, during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani urged Europe on Thursday to "accelerate" its efforts to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal, during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron. "Europe must accelerate its efforts to realise Iran's legitimate interests and bring about a ceasefire (in Washington's) economic war" against Iran, Rouhani told Macron, according to the government's official website. "Iran is determined to keep open all options" for preserving the landmark treaty, he added. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin and French leader Emmanuel Macron agreed on Thursday on the need to "consolidate efforts" to save the Iran nuclear deal following months of soaring tensions, the Kremlin said. In a phone call, Putin and Macron agreed the Iran deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was an "important factor in ensuring security in the Middle East and maintaining a non-proliferation regime," the Kremlin said in a statement. "Both sides stressed the advisability of consolidating efforts of all countries that are interested in preserving the Comprehensive Plan," it added. US President Donald Trump last year withdrew from the accord negotiated by his predecessor Barack Obama with five other world powers under which Iran drastically scaled back its nuclear programme. Trump instead imposed sweeping sanctions prohibiting Iranian oil exports in a bid to reduce the clerical regime's regional clout. In Germany, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said "it would be a mistake to blame" Iran for the situation. He said it was very important to reach "a common position of all the remaining parties of the JCPOA ... and we will not achieve a result if it is claimed that the safeguarding of this agreement depends solely on Iran". His German counterpart Heiko Maas said that "we have always made it clear that we do not understand the exit of the United States from the JCPOA". He added that "we expect Iran to respect its commitments - what has happened in recent days in Tehran is not acceptable". Putin and Macron also discussed ways to settle a separatist conflict in Ukraine as the country is set to hold parliamentary elections on Sunday.

Accelerate efforts to salvage nuclear deal: Rouhani to Macron in phone call

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said today that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-foreign-minister-javad-zarif-warns-us-says-its-playing-with-fire-236255">Iran will certainly continue to reduce </a>nuclear commitments even as the EU held a meeting on to diffuse the nuclear deal issue with &nbsp;Macron dispatched an envoy to Tehran for the second time in a month on Tuesday in an&nbsp;attempt to convince the Iranian government to come back into compliance with the landmark 2015 deal.

After <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-declines-to-set-united-states-uranium-production-quotas-235511">President Donald Trump </a>unilaterally pulled the United States out of the deal in May 2018, Iran has begun enriching uranium to higher levels, leading to fears the faltering accord could be doomed.&nbsp;

If it falls apart and Iran continues enriching uranium all the way to levels approaching those that could be used in a weapon, diplomats see a high risk of conflict in the Middle East involving the United States and possibly its ally Israel.

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French President Macron has taken an active mediation role, speaking to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Trump in recent days.

Last year, he was weighing whether to become the first French leader to travel to Tehran since 1976. But tensions over the nuclear issue and Iran's involvement in the wars in Syria and Yemen meant he never accepted an invitation to visit.

European nations are seen as wanting to avoid triggering a dispute mechanism in the text which could lead to sanctions being reimposed.

Such a move would heighten tensions, while the threat of fresh sanctions remains one of few levers available to the Europeans as they seek to convince Iran to respect the deal.

A top advisor to Iran's supreme leader had hinted Tehran could boost its uranium enrichment to five per cent for "peaceful" aims, ahead of deadline it set for world powers to save a landmark 2015 nuclear deal.

Iran is acting on its May 8 threat to suspend from Sunday parts of the agreement in response to US President Donald Trump's reimposition of crippling sanctions after withdrawing from the deal in May last year.

The accord capped Iran's enrichment maximum at 3.67 per cent, sufficient for power generation but far below the more than 90 per cent level required for a nuclear weapon.&nbsp;

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said today that Iran will certainly continue to reduce nuclear commitments even as the EU held a meeting on to diffuse the nuclear deal issue with Macron dispatched an envoy to Tehran for the second time in a month on Tuesday in an attempt to convince the Iranian government to come back into compliance with the landmark 2015 deal.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said today that Iran will certainly continue to reduce nuclear commitments even as the EU held a meeting on to diffuse the nuclear deal issue with Macron dispatched an envoy to Tehran for the second time in a month on Tuesday in an attempt to convince the Iranian government to come back into compliance with the landmark 2015 deal. After President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the United States out of the deal in May 2018, Iran has begun enriching uranium to higher levels, leading to fears the faltering accord could be doomed. If it falls apart and Iran continues enriching uranium all the way to levels approaching those that could be used in a weapon, diplomats see a high risk of conflict in the Middle East involving the United States and possibly its ally Israel. Watch Video: French President Macron has taken an active mediation role, speaking to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Trump in recent days. Last year, he was weighing whether to become the first French leader to travel to Tehran since 1976. But tensions over the nuclear issue and Iran's involvement in the wars in Syria and Yemen meant he never accepted an invitation to visit. European nations are seen as wanting to avoid triggering a dispute mechanism in the text which could lead to sanctions being reimposed. Such a move would heighten tensions, while the threat of fresh sanctions remains one of few levers available to the Europeans as they seek to convince Iran to respect the deal. A top advisor to Iran's supreme leader had hinted Tehran could boost its uranium enrichment to five per cent for "peaceful" aims, ahead of deadline it set for world powers to save a landmark 2015 nuclear deal. Iran is acting on its May 8 threat to suspend from Sunday parts of the agreement in response to US President Donald Trump's reimposition of crippling sanctions after withdrawing from the deal in May last year. The accord capped Iran's enrichment maximum at 3.67 per cent, sufficient for power generation but far below the more than 90 per cent level required for a nuclear weapon.

Iran will 'certainly continue' to reduce nuclear commitments: Khamenei

Iran is ready to hold talks with the United States if Washington lifts sanctions and returns to the 2015 nuclear deal it quit last year, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech on Sunday. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration says it is open to negotiations with Iran on a more far-reaching agreement on nuclear and security issues. But Iran has made any talks conditional on first being able to export as much oil as it did before the United States withdrew from the nuclear pact with world powers in May 2018.

Rouhani: Iran ready to talk to US if sanctions lifted

Iran's atomic energy agency said on Monday it could reverse its nuclear programme to its status before curbs were imposed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rouhani-says-iran-ready-to-talks-to-us-if-sanctions-lifted-report-235898">under a landmark 2015 agreement </a>with world powers.

"If the Europeans and the Americans don't want to carry out their duties... we will decrease our commitments and... reverse the conditions to four years ago," agency spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said, quoted by IRNA state news agency.

"These actions are not out of obstinacy. It is to give diplomacy a chance so that the other side come to their senses and carry out their duties," he added.

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The deal promised economic benefits and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-attempted-to-seize-british-tanker-fended-off-by-warship-hms-montrose-report-234800">sanctions relief to Iran</a>, but US President Donald Trump withdrew from the accord in May 2018 and reimposed tough punitive measures against Iran.

Angered that its beleaguered economy is not receiving sanctions relief it believes it was promised under the deal, Iran has intensified sensitive uranium enrichment work.

European foreign ministers were meeting in Brussels on Monday for crisis talks on the deal.

On Sunday, the European parties to the deal - Britain, France and Germany - called for dialogue as tensions further intensified between Iran and the United States.

In a statement, the so-called E3 expressed concern the deal was at risk of further unravelling but said it was up to Iran to ensure its survival.

Iran has repeatedly threatened to leave the deal unless the remaining parties to the agreement bypass US sanctions and deliver the promised benefits. 
&nbsp;

Iran's atomic energy agency said on Monday it could reverse its nuclear programme to its status before curbs were imposed under a landmark 2015 agreement with world powers.

Iran's atomic energy agency said on Monday it could reverse its nuclear programme to its status before curbs were imposed under a landmark 2015 agreement with world powers. "If the Europeans and the Americans don't want to carry out their duties... we will decrease our commitments and... reverse the conditions to four years ago," agency spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said, quoted by IRNA state news agency. "These actions are not out of obstinacy. It is to give diplomacy a chance so that the other side come to their senses and carry out their duties," he added. The deal promised economic benefits and sanctions relief to Iran, but US President Donald Trump withdrew from the accord in May 2018 and reimposed tough punitive measures against Iran. Angered that its beleaguered economy is not receiving sanctions relief it believes it was promised under the deal, Iran has intensified sensitive uranium enrichment work. European foreign ministers were meeting in Brussels on Monday for crisis talks on the deal. On Sunday, the European parties to the deal - Britain, France and Germany - called for dialogue as tensions further intensified between Iran and the United States. In a statement, the so-called E3 expressed concern the deal was at risk of further unravelling but said it was up to Iran to ensure its survival. Iran has repeatedly threatened to leave the deal unless the remaining parties to the agreement bypass US sanctions and deliver the promised benefits.

If Europeans, Americans don't carry out their duties, will reverse nuclear deal to four years ago, warns Iran

Three Iranian ships attempted to "impede the passage" of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-initiator-of-insecurity-will-realise-consequences-warns-rouhani-over-oil-tanker-seizure-234591">British oil tanker in Gulf waters</a>, forcing a UK frigate to intervene, the British government said on Thursday.

"Contrary to international law, three Iranian vessels attempted to impede the passage of a commercial vessel, British Heritage, through the Strait of Hormuz," a British government statement said of the incident, which occurred on Wednesday.

"HMS Montrose was forced to position herself between the Iranian vessels and British Heritage and issue verbal warnings to the Iranian vessels, which then turned away. We are concerned by this action and continue to urge the Iranian authorities to de-escalate the situation in the region," the statement said.

On Wednesday, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani had warned <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-standoff-tests-show-seized-tanker-was-loaded-to-capacity-with-crude-oil-confirms-uk-government-234176">Britain of "consequences"</a> over the detention of an Iranian oil tanker off the coast of Gibraltar.

"I point out to the British that you initiated insecurity (on the seas) and you shall grasp the consequences of it later on," Rouhani had said in comments to the cabinet broadcast by state TV.

Iran's president had called the seizure of the tanker "a foolish act."

The 330 metre (1,000 feet) Grace 1 tanker, capable of carrying two million barrels of oil, was halted on Thursday by police and customs in Gibraltar -- a tiny British overseas territory on Spain's southern tip -&nbsp;with the aid of a detachment of British Royal Marines.

Iran condemned the detention as an "illegal interception," but Gibraltar officials said that the cargo was believed to be destined for Syria, which is subject to European sanctions.

Iran denied it, saying that the destination "was somewhere else."

"The port named in Syria does not even have the capacity for such a supertanker to dock," Iran's deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi had said.

Three Iranian ships attempted to "impede the passage" of a British oil tanker in Gulf waters, forcing a UK frigate to intervene, the British government said on Thursday.

Three Iranian ships attempted to "impede the passage" of a British oil tanker in Gulf waters, forcing a UK frigate to intervene, the British government said on Thursday. "Contrary to international law, three Iranian vessels attempted to impede the passage of a commercial vessel, British Heritage, through the Strait of Hormuz," a British government statement said of the incident, which occurred on Wednesday. "HMS Montrose was forced to position herself between the Iranian vessels and British Heritage and issue verbal warnings to the Iranian vessels, which then turned away. We are concerned by this action and continue to urge the Iranian authorities to de-escalate the situation in the region," the statement said. On Wednesday, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani had warned Britain of "consequences" over the detention of an Iranian oil tanker off the coast of Gibraltar. "I point out to the British that you initiated insecurity (on the seas) and you shall grasp the consequences of it later on," Rouhani had said in comments to the cabinet broadcast by state TV. Iran's president had called the seizure of the tanker "a foolish act." The 330 metre (1,000 feet) Grace 1 tanker, capable of carrying two million barrels of oil, was halted on Thursday by police and customs in Gibraltar -- a tiny British overseas territory on Spain's southern tip - with the aid of a detachment of British Royal Marines. Iran condemned the detention as an "illegal interception," but Gibraltar officials said that the cargo was believed to be destined for Syria, which is subject to European sanctions. Iran denied it, saying that the destination "was somewhere else." "The port named in Syria does not even have the capacity for such a supertanker to dock," Iran's deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi had said.

Iranian vessels impeded passage of commercial ship in Strait of Hormuz, turned away after verbal warning: UK

Armed Iranian boats attempted to seize a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-initiator-of-insecurity-will-realise-consequences-warns-rouhani-over-oil-tanker-seizure-234591">British tanker in strategic Gulf waters</a> on Wednesday but were driven off by a Royal Navy frigate, CNN reported.

The Iranians ordered the British Heritage oil tanker, which was crossing into the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-sanctions-on-iran-will-soon-be-increased-substantially-234771">Strait of Hormuz area</a>, to change course and stop in Tehran's nearby waters, CNN said, citing two American officials.

A US aircraft shot video of the incident, which ended when the HMS Montrose -- which was escorting the tanker -- trained its guns on the boats and successfully warned them to back off, the channel said.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani had warned Britain of "consequences" on Wednesday over the detention of one of the country's oil tankers off the coast of Gibraltar.

Watch Video:&nbsp;

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"I point out to the British that you initiated insecurity (on the seas) and you shall grasp the consequences of it later on," Rouhani said in comments to the cabinet broadcast by state TV.

The 330-meter (1,000-foot) Grace 1 tanker, capable of carrying two million barrels of oil, was halted on Thursday by police and customs officers in Gibraltar -- a British overseas territory on Spain's southern tip -- with the aid of a detachment of British Royal Marines.

Iran condemned the detention as an "illegal interception," but Gibraltar officials said that the cargo was believed to be destined for Syria, which is subject to European sanctions.

Iran denied this, saying that the destination "was somewhere else."

The latest reported incident comes after Iran said it had lost patience with perceived inaction by European countries more than a year after US President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the US out of a landmark 2015 international agreement curbing Tehran's nuclear program, and started to impose punishing sanctions, raising tensions between the US and Iran. 
&nbsp;

Armed Iranian boats attempted to seize a British tanker in strategic Gulf waters on Wednesday but were driven off by a Royal Navy frigate, CNN reported. The Iranians ordered the British Heritage oil tanker, which was crossing into the Strait of Hormuz area, to change course and stop in Tehran's nearby waters, CNN said, citing two American officials.

Armed Iranian boats attempted to seize a British tanker in strategic Gulf waters on Wednesday but were driven off by a Royal Navy frigate, CNN reported. The Iranians ordered the British Heritage oil tanker, which was crossing into the Strait of Hormuz area, to change course and stop in Tehran's nearby waters, CNN said, citing two American officials. A US aircraft shot video of the incident, which ended when the HMS Montrose -- which was escorting the tanker -- trained its guns on the boats and successfully warned them to back off, the channel said. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani had warned Britain of "consequences" on Wednesday over the detention of one of the country's oil tankers off the coast of Gibraltar. Watch Video: "I point out to the British that you initiated insecurity (on the seas) and you shall grasp the consequences of it later on," Rouhani said in comments to the cabinet broadcast by state TV. The 330-meter (1,000-foot) Grace 1 tanker, capable of carrying two million barrels of oil, was halted on Thursday by police and customs officers in Gibraltar -- a British overseas territory on Spain's southern tip -- with the aid of a detachment of British Royal Marines. Iran condemned the detention as an "illegal interception," but Gibraltar officials said that the cargo was believed to be destined for Syria, which is subject to European sanctions. Iran denied this, saying that the destination "was somewhere else." The latest reported incident comes after Iran said it had lost patience with perceived inaction by European countries more than a year after US President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the US out of a landmark 2015 international agreement curbing Tehran's nuclear program, and started to impose punishing sanctions, raising tensions between the US and Iran.

Iran attempted to seize British tanker, fended off by warship HMS Montrose: Report

Britain and the United States will regret detaining an Iranian oil tanker, a deputy commander of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards said on Thursday, according to the Tasnim news agency.

Last week, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iranian-vessels-impeded-passage-of-commercial-ship-in-strait-of-hormuz-turned-away-after-verbal-warning-uk-234877">British Royal Marines</a> boarded an Iranian tanker, the Grace 1, off Gibraltar and seized it on suspicion that it was breaking EU sanctions by taking oil to Syria.

“Now an action that does not need ability but some stupidity has been carried out by them,” Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, a deputy Guards commander, said, according to Tasnim.&nbsp;

“The American government ... and also England .... should not have taken action if they had made the smallest calculation,” he said.

“We had rented this ship and we carried the cargo. Their action was very silly and they will certainly regret it. Our reciprocal action will be announced.”

Britain and the United States will regret detaining an Iranian oil tanker, a deputy commander of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards said on Thursday, according to the Tasnim news agency.

Britain and the United States will regret detaining an Iranian oil tanker, a deputy commander of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards said on Thursday, according to the Tasnim news agency. Last week, British Royal Marines boarded an Iranian tanker, the Grace 1, off Gibraltar and seized it on suspicion that it was breaking EU sanctions by taking oil to Syria. “Now an action that does not need ability but some stupidity has been carried out by them,” Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, a deputy Guards commander, said, according to Tasnim. “The American government ... and also England .... should not have taken action if they had made the smallest calculation,” he said. “We had rented this ship and we carried the cargo. Their action was very silly and they will certainly regret it. Our reciprocal action will be announced.”

Britain and US will regret detaining our oil tanker: Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards deputy commander

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday Britain would face "consequences" over the seizure of an<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britains-oil-tanker-seizure-will-not-go-without-a-response-iran-defence-minister-233959"> Iranian oil tanker</a>, and said Iran's increase in uranium enrichment was for peaceful aims, the semi-official news agency Tasnim reported.

Iran has demanded the immediate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-standoff-tests-show-seized-tanker-was-loaded-to-capacity-with-crude-oil-confirms-uk-government-234176">release of the tanker Grace 1</a>, which British Royal Marines boarded off the coast of Gibraltar last week and seized over accusations it was breaking sanctions by taking oil to Syria.

"You (Britain) are the initiator of insecurity and you will realise the consequences later," Rouhani was quoted by Tasnim as saying after a cabinet meeting.

Rouhani also said Iran's decision to increase uranium enrichment would produce fuel for power plants and serve other peaceful aims, and that it was within the framework of Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister Abbas Araqchi had said the Iranian tanker captured by British Royal Marines in Gibraltar was not headed to Syria

Royal Marines had seized the tanker last Thursday for trying to take oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions, a dramatic intervention described as "maritime robbery" by Araqchi.

The minister said the giant tanker has a capacity of up to two million barrels of oil and that is why it was travelling through the Strait of Gibraltar rather than the Suez Canal.

The government of Gibraltar said on Friday that they had received permission from their supreme court to hold the tanker for fourteen days.

An Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander had earlier threatened to seize a British ship in retaliation.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday Britain would face "consequences" over the seizure of an Iranian oil tanker, and said Iran's increase in uranium enrichment was for peaceful aims, the semi-official news agency Tasnim reported.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday Britain would face "consequences" over the seizure of an Iranian oil tanker, and said Iran's increase in uranium enrichment was for peaceful aims, the semi-official news agency Tasnim reported. Iran has demanded the immediate release of the tanker Grace 1, which British Royal Marines boarded off the coast of Gibraltar last week and seized over accusations it was breaking sanctions by taking oil to Syria. "You (Britain) are the initiator of insecurity and you will realise the consequences later," Rouhani was quoted by Tasnim as saying after a cabinet meeting. Rouhani also said Iran's decision to increase uranium enrichment would produce fuel for power plants and serve other peaceful aims, and that it was within the framework of Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Iran’s deputy foreign minister Abbas Araqchi had said the Iranian tanker captured by British Royal Marines in Gibraltar was not headed to Syria Royal Marines had seized the tanker last Thursday for trying to take oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions, a dramatic intervention described as "maritime robbery" by Araqchi. The minister said the giant tanker has a capacity of up to two million barrels of oil and that is why it was travelling through the Strait of Gibraltar rather than the Suez Canal. The government of Gibraltar said on Friday that they had received permission from their supreme court to hold the tanker for fourteen days. An Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander had earlier threatened to seize a British ship in retaliation.

Britain initiator of insecurity, will realise consequences, warns Rouhani over oil tanker seizure

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-resolutely-pursue-protesters-for-violent-acts-at-parliament-hong-kong-police-232886">Will resolutely pursue protesters for violent acts at Parliament: Hong Kong police</a>

Hong Kong authorities vowed Wednesday to hunt down the protesters who stormed parliament in an unprecedented challenge to the Beijing-backed government.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/be-careful-iran-threats-will-come-back-to-bite-you-warns-trump-232882">Be careful Iran, threats will 'come back to bite you', warns Trump</a>

After Iran President Rouhani said his country will enrich uranium to any amount the country needs after July 7, US President warned "Iran to be careful" as tensions between the two nations continued to boil over the 2015 nuclear deal issue.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boeing-to-give-100-million-to-families-affected-by-two-737-max-crashes-232883">Boeing to give $100 million to families affected by two 737 MAX crashes</a>

Boeing announced on Wednesday it would give $100 million to communities and families affected by two crashes on its 737 MAX planes that claimed 346 lives.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-hell-bent-on-hostile-acts-despite-wanting-to-talk-north-korea-232880">US 'hell-bent on hostile acts' despite wanting to talk: North Korea</a>

North Korea's mission to the United Nations accused the United States on Wednesday of being "more and more hell-bent on hostile acts" against Pyongyang, despite President Donald Trump wanting talks between the two countries.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-death-toll-rises-to-14-in-ratnagiris-tiware-dam-breach-232885">Maharashtra: Death toll rises to 14 in Ratnagiri's Tiware dam breach</a>

At least 14 were killed and 11 others were reported missing after Tiware dam in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri was breached on Wednesday following heavy rain over the last 48 hours.

Will resolutely pursue protesters for violent acts at Parliament: Hong Kong police Hong Kong authorities vowed Wednesday to hunt down the protesters who stormed parliament in an unprecedented challenge to the Beijing-backed government.

Will resolutely pursue protesters for violent acts at Parliament: Hong Kong police Hong Kong authorities vowed Wednesday to hunt down the protesters who stormed parliament in an unprecedented challenge to the Beijing-backed government. Be careful Iran, threats will 'come back to bite you', warns Trump After Iran President Rouhani said his country will enrich uranium to any amount the country needs after July 7, US President warned "Iran to be careful" as tensions between the two nations continued to boil over the 2015 nuclear deal issue. Boeing to give $100 million to families affected by two 737 MAX crashes Boeing announced on Wednesday it would give $100 million to communities and families affected by two crashes on its 737 MAX planes that claimed 346 lives. US 'hell-bent on hostile acts' despite wanting to talk: North Korea North Korea's mission to the United Nations accused the United States on Wednesday of being "more and more hell-bent on hostile acts" against Pyongyang, despite President Donald Trump wanting talks between the two countries. Maharashtra: Death toll rises to 14 in Ratnagiri's Tiware dam breach At least 14 were killed and 11 others were reported missing after Tiware dam in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri was breached on Wednesday following heavy rain over the last 48 hours.

After Iran <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-increase-uranium-enrichment-level-after-july-7-to-whatever-levels-iran-needs-rouhani-232694">President Rouhani said his country </a>will enrich uranium to any amount the country needs after July 7, US President warned "Iran to be careful" as tensions between the two nations continued to boil over the 2015 nuclear deal issue.

"Iran has just issued a new warning. Rouhani says that they will enrich uranium to “any amount we want” if there is no new nuclear deal. Be careful with the threats, Iran," the US president said, adding, "they can come back to bite you like nobody has been bitten before!"

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Iran has just issued a New Warning. Rouhani says that they will Enrich Uranium to “any amount we want” if there is no new Nuclear Deal. Be careful with the threats, Iran. They can come back to bite you like nobody has been bitten before!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1146517318509481984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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On Wednesday, Iran President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-france-germany-and-uk-urge-iran-to-reverse-uranium-decision-232571">Hassan Rouhani had said Iran </a>would increase its level of uranium enrichment after July 7 to whatever levels it needs beyond the 3.67% cap set in the 2015 nuclear deal.

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The enrichment maximum set in under the nuclear agreement is sufficient for power generation but far below the more than 90 per cent level required for a nuclear weapon.&nbsp;

"If the remaining signatories of the nuclear deal with world powers do not fulfil their promises, then the Arak nuclear reactor will return to its previous activities after July 7," Rouhani said.

Iran had recently breached the nuclear stockpile limit. Iran Fars news agency had reported that the country's enriched uranium stockpile had passed the 300-kg(661 lb) limit allowed under the nuclear deal.

The US had pulled out of the nuclear deal in May last year alleging that Iran hadn't done enough to limit its weapons stockpile and had continued to work on its nuclear programme, a claim denied by Iranian authorities.

The nuclear deal issue combined with the attack on oil tankers last month which the Trump administration alleged was carried out by Iran's Republican Guard army led to further deterioration of relations between US and Iran.&nbsp;

Finally, the downing of US surveillance drone a week after the tanker attack led Trump to call in for air strikes on Iran which he ultimately stopped in mid-air due to the threat of heavy civilian casualties.

After Iran President Rouhani said his country will enrich uranium to any amount the country needs after July 7, US President warned "Iran to be careful" as tensions between the two nations continued to boil over the 2015 nuclear deal issue.

After Iran President Rouhani said his country will enrich uranium to any amount the country needs after July 7, US President warned "Iran to be careful" as tensions between the two nations continued to boil over the 2015 nuclear deal issue. "Iran has just issued a new warning. Rouhani says that they will enrich uranium to “any amount we want” if there is no new nuclear deal. Be careful with the threats, Iran," the US president said, adding, "they can come back to bite you like nobody has been bitten before!" Iran has just issued a New Warning. Rouhani says that they will Enrich Uranium to “any amount we want” if there is no new Nuclear Deal. Be careful with the threats, Iran. They can come back to bite you like nobody has been bitten before! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 3, 2019 × On Wednesday, Iran President Hassan Rouhani had said Iran would increase its level of uranium enrichment after July 7 to whatever levels it needs beyond the 3.67% cap set in the 2015 nuclear deal. The enrichment maximum set in under the nuclear agreement is sufficient for power generation but far below the more than 90 per cent level required for a nuclear weapon. "If the remaining signatories of the nuclear deal with world powers do not fulfil their promises, then the Arak nuclear reactor will return to its previous activities after July 7," Rouhani said. Iran had recently breached the nuclear stockpile limit. Iran Fars news agency had reported that the country's enriched uranium stockpile had passed the 300-kg(661 lb) limit allowed under the nuclear deal. The US had pulled out of the nuclear deal in May last year alleging that Iran hadn't done enough to limit its weapons stockpile and had continued to work on its nuclear programme, a claim denied by Iranian authorities. The nuclear deal issue combined with the attack on oil tankers last month which the Trump administration alleged was carried out by Iran's Republican Guard army led to further deterioration of relations between US and Iran. Finally, the downing of US surveillance drone a week after the tanker attack led Trump to call in for air strikes on Iran which he ultimately stopped in mid-air due to the threat of heavy civilian casualties.

Be careful Iran, threats will 'come back to bite you', warns Trump

Iran will increase its level of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-was-violating-nuclear-deal-with-us-long-before-i-became-president-trump-232663">uranium enrichment after July 7</a> to whatever levels it needs beyond the 3.67% cap set in the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday, according to the IRIB news agency.

If the remaining signatories of the nuclear deal with world powers do not fulfil their promises, then the Arak nuclear reactor will return to its previous activities after July 7, Rouhani said.

Iran had recently breached the nuclear stockpile limit. Iran Fars news agency had reported that the country's enriched uranium stockpile had passed the 300-kg(661 lb) limit allowed under the nuclear deal.

Rouhani's announcement came just hours after US President Trump alleged that &nbsp;Iran was violating the nuclear deal long before he became president.

"Iran was violating the 150 billion dollar (plus 1.8 billion dollars in cash) nuclear deal with the United States, and others who paid nothing," he said on Twitter, adding,"long before I became president - and they have now breached their stockpile limit. Not good!"

The US had walked out of the Iran nuclear deal in May last year after President Trump alleged that Iran hadn't done enough to address its missile programme. 
&nbsp;

Iran will increase its level of uranium enrichment after July 7 to whatever levels it needs beyond the 3.67% cap set in the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday, according to the IRIB news agency.

Iran will increase its level of uranium enrichment after July 7 to whatever levels it needs beyond the 3.67% cap set in the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday, according to the IRIB news agency. If the remaining signatories of the nuclear deal with world powers do not fulfil their promises, then the Arak nuclear reactor will return to its previous activities after July 7, Rouhani said. Iran had recently breached the nuclear stockpile limit. Iran Fars news agency had reported that the country's enriched uranium stockpile had passed the 300-kg(661 lb) limit allowed under the nuclear deal. Rouhani's announcement came just hours after US President Trump alleged that Iran was violating the nuclear deal long before he became president. "Iran was violating the 150 billion dollar (plus 1.8 billion dollars in cash) nuclear deal with the United States, and others who paid nothing," he said on Twitter, adding,"long before I became president - and they have now breached their stockpile limit. Not good!" The US had walked out of the Iran nuclear deal in May last year after President Trump alleged that Iran hadn't done enough to address its missile programme.

Will increase uranium enrichment level after July 7 to whatever levels Iran needs: Rouhani

US President Donald Trump warned Monday that Iran is "playing with fire" after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-chief-antonio-guterres-urges-iran-to-stick-to-nuclear-deal-after-breaching-cap-232148">Tehran said it exceeded a limit</a> on enriched uranium reserves under a 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by Washington.

Israel urged European states to sanction Iran, while Russia voiced regret but said the move was a consequence of US pressure, which has pushed the deal towards collapse.

Britain called on Tehran "to avoid any further steps away" from the landmark deal, and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-it-has-broken-enriched-uranium-stockpile-limit-set-by-2015-nuclear-deal-232067">UN said Iran must stick </a>to its commitments under the accord.

"Iran has crossed the 300-kilogram limit based on its plan" announced in May, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told semi-official news agency ISNA.

But he also said the move could be reversed.

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"They know what they're doing. They know what they're playing with and I think they're playing with fire," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if he had a message for Iran.

The United States withdrew from the nuclear deal last year and hit Iran's crucial oil exports and financial transactions as well as other sectors with biting sanctions.

Tehran, which has sought to pressure the remaining parties to save the deal, announced on May 8 it would no longer respect the limit set on its enriched uranium and heavy water stockpiles.

It threatened to abandon further nuclear commitments unless the remaining partners -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- helped it circumvent sanctions, especially to sell its oil.

The White House had earlier said that "the United States and its allies will never allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons," vowing to continue exerting "maximum pressure" on the regime.

"It was a mistake under the Iran nuclear deal to allow Iran to enrich uranium at any level," spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in a statement.

- 'One mustn't dramatize' -&nbsp; 
Zarif insisted Iran had done nothing wrong. "We have NOT violated the #JCPOA," he tweeted, referring to the deal.

He said Iran would "reverse" its decision "as soon as E3 abide by their obligations" -- referring to the European parties to the deal: Britain, France and Germany.

Zarif's American counterpart Mike Pompeo accused Iran of using its nuclear program "to extort the international community and threaten regional security."

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Iran had exceeded the limit that the deal imposed on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium (LEU).&nbsp;

A diplomat in Vienna, where the UN's nuclear watchdog is based, told AFP that Iran had exceeded the 300 kilogram (661 pound) limit by two kilograms.

Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, said Iran's move was a cause for "regret" but also "a natural consequence of recent events" and a result of the "unprecedented pressure" from the US.

"One mustn't dramatize the situation," Ryabkov, whose country is a close ally of Tehran, said in comments reported by Russian news agencies.

Britain's Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt said on Twitter that London was "deeply worried" and urged Iran to "come back to compliance" with the nuclear deal.

UN chief Antonio Guterres said it was "essential" that Iran stick to the deal.

- 'Europe's efforts not enough' - 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged European countries to impose sanctions on his country's arch-foe Iran.

Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday about Iran's breach of the nuclear deal limit, the White House said.

The European Union said Friday after a crisis meeting aimed at salvaging the deal that a special payment mechanism set up to help Iran skirt the sanctions, known as INSTEX, was finally "operational" and that the first transactions were being processed.

But "the Europeans' efforts were not enough, therefore Iran will go ahead with its announced measures," Zarif said.

INSTEX, which "is just the beginning" of their commitments, has not yet been fully implemented, he added.

The 2015 deal saw Iran commit to never acquiring an atomic bomb, accept drastic limits on its nuclear program and submit to IAEA inspections in exchange for a partial lifting of crippling international sanctions.

Iran has also threatened to start enriching uranium above the agreed maximum purification level of 3.67 percent from July 7. That remains far short of the 90 percent purity required to build a weapon.

The latest tensions coincide with a buildup of US forces in the Gulf and a series of incidents including Iran's shooting down of a US drone it claimed had entered its airspace.

US President Donald Trump warned Monday that Iran is "playing with fire" after Tehran said it exceeded a limit on enriched uranium reserves under a 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by Washington.

US President Donald Trump warned Monday that Iran is "playing with fire" after Tehran said it exceeded a limit on enriched uranium reserves under a 2015 nuclear deal abandoned by Washington. Israel urged European states to sanction Iran, while Russia voiced regret but said the move was a consequence of US pressure, which has pushed the deal towards collapse. Britain called on Tehran "to avoid any further steps away" from the landmark deal, and the UN said Iran must stick to its commitments under the accord. "Iran has crossed the 300-kilogram limit based on its plan" announced in May, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told semi-official news agency ISNA. But he also said the move could be reversed. "They know what they're doing. They know what they're playing with and I think they're playing with fire," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if he had a message for Iran. The United States withdrew from the nuclear deal last year and hit Iran's crucial oil exports and financial transactions as well as other sectors with biting sanctions. Tehran, which has sought to pressure the remaining parties to save the deal, announced on May 8 it would no longer respect the limit set on its enriched uranium and heavy water stockpiles. It threatened to abandon further nuclear commitments unless the remaining partners -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- helped it circumvent sanctions, especially to sell its oil. The White House had earlier said that "the United States and its allies will never allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons," vowing to continue exerting "maximum pressure" on the regime. "It was a mistake under the Iran nuclear deal to allow Iran to enrich uranium at any level," spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in a statement. - 'One mustn't dramatize' - Zarif insisted Iran had done nothing wrong. "We have NOT violated the #JCPOA," he tweeted, referring to the deal. He said Iran would "reverse" its decision "as soon as E3 abide by their obligations" -- referring to the European parties to the deal: Britain, France and Germany. Zarif's American counterpart Mike Pompeo accused Iran of using its nuclear program "to extort the international community and threaten regional security." The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Iran had exceeded the limit that the deal imposed on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium (LEU). A diplomat in Vienna, where the UN's nuclear watchdog is based, told AFP that Iran had exceeded the 300 kilogram (661 pound) limit by two kilograms. Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, said Iran's move was a cause for "regret" but also "a natural consequence of recent events" and a result of the "unprecedented pressure" from the US. "One mustn't dramatize the situation," Ryabkov, whose country is a close ally of Tehran, said in comments reported by Russian news agencies. Britain's Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt said on Twitter that London was "deeply worried" and urged Iran to "come back to compliance" with the nuclear deal. UN chief Antonio Guterres said it was "essential" that Iran stick to the deal. - 'Europe's efforts not enough' - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged European countries to impose sanctions on his country's arch-foe Iran. Trump spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday about Iran's breach of the nuclear deal limit, the White House said. The European Union said Friday after a crisis meeting aimed at salvaging the deal that a special payment mechanism set up to help Iran skirt the sanctions, known as INSTEX, was finally "operational" and that the first transactions were being processed. But "the Europeans' efforts were not enough, therefore Iran will go ahead with its announced measures," Zarif said. INSTEX, which "is just the beginning" of their commitments, has not yet been fully implemented, he added. The 2015 deal saw Iran commit to never acquiring an atomic bomb, accept drastic limits on its nuclear program and submit to IAEA inspections in exchange for a partial lifting of crippling international sanctions. Iran has also threatened to start enriching uranium above the agreed maximum purification level of 3.67 percent from July 7. That remains far short of the 90 percent purity required to build a weapon. The latest tensions coincide with a buildup of US forces in the Gulf and a series of incidents including Iran's shooting down of a US drone it claimed had entered its airspace.

Iran playing with fire on nuclear deal: Trump

US national security advisor(NSA) John Bolton on Tuesday described as "deafening" <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-dismisses-new-us-sanctions-calls-white-house-retarded-230254">Iran's apparent silence</a> on an offer to negotiate with Washington.

"The president has held the door open to real negotiations," Bolton said in a statement.

"In response, Iran's silence has been deafening," he added during a visit to Jerusalem.

The United States imposed sanctions Monday on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-mean-permanent-closure-of-path-to-diplomacy-iran-230174">Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a> and others, which the Iranian foreign ministry said meant a "permanent closure of the path to diplomacy" with the US administration.

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Tensions are running high after Iran shot down a US spy drone last week and Trump considered, then cancelled, a retaliatory strike.

Bolton said Tuesday the US remains open to negotiations, more than a year after Washington pulled out of a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.

"All that Iran needs to do is to walk through that open door," he said.

But Iran's president said Washington's decision to impose sanctions on senior officials including its top diplomat proved the US was "lying" about talks.

"At the same time as you call for negotiations, you seek to sanction the foreign minister? It's obvious that you're lying," President Hassan Rouhani said in a meeting with ministers broadcast live on TV.

US national security advisor(NSA) John Bolton on Tuesday described as "deafening" Iran's apparent silence on an offer to negotiate with Washington. "The president has held the door open to real negotiations," Bolton said in a statement.

US national security advisor(NSA) John Bolton on Tuesday described as "deafening" Iran's apparent silence on an offer to negotiate with Washington. "The president has held the door open to real negotiations," Bolton said in a statement. "In response, Iran's silence has been deafening," he added during a visit to Jerusalem. The United States imposed sanctions Monday on Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and others, which the Iranian foreign ministry said meant a "permanent closure of the path to diplomacy" with the US administration. Tensions are running high after Iran shot down a US spy drone last week and Trump considered, then cancelled, a retaliatory strike. Bolton said Tuesday the US remains open to negotiations, more than a year after Washington pulled out of a landmark nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers. "All that Iran needs to do is to walk through that open door," he said. But Iran's president said Washington's decision to impose sanctions on senior officials including its top diplomat proved the US was "lying" about talks. "At the same time as you call for negotiations, you seek to sanction the foreign minister? It's obvious that you're lying," President Hassan Rouhani said in a meeting with ministers broadcast live on TV.

US remains open to negotiations, Iran needs to walk through  that open door: Bolton

Russia has military intelligence that shows that a US drone was in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-remains-open-to-negotiations-iran-needs-walk-though-that-open-door-bolton-230284">Iranian air space </a>when it was shot down by Iran last week, Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of Russia's Security Council, said on Tuesday.

An Iranian surface-to-air missile destroyed a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-dismisses-new-us-sanctions-calls-white-house-retarded-230254">US Global Hawk surveillance drone</a>.

Speaking at a briefing for journalists in Jerusalem, Patrushev said evidence presented by the United States alleging Iran was behind attacks on ships in the Gulf of Oman was poor quality and unprofessional.

Iran had shot down a US military drone it said was on a spy mission over its territory. Washington said the aircraft was targeted in international air space in "an unprovoked attack".

US President Trump had said last week that he aborted a military strike to retaliate for Iran's downing of the US drone because it could have killed 150 people, and signaled he was open to talks with Tehran.

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Tehran said the drone was shot down over its territory and Washington said it occurred in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump's decision to cancel what he said was a planned attack on three sites suggests he wants a diplomatic solution to end weeks of festering tensions with Iran, which Washington accuses of a spate of attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf region.

"I'm not looking for war, and if there is, it'll be obliteration like you've never seen before. But I'm not looking to do that," Trump told NBC News in an interview.

In a series of early-morning tweets, Trump said he was in no hurry to launch a strike and that U.S. economic sanctions designed to force Iran to curb its nuclear and missile programs and its involvement in regional wars were having an effect.

"We were cocked &amp; loaded to retaliate last night," Trump tweeted.

"Ten minutes before the strike I stopped it, not proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone. I am in no hurry, our military is rebuilt, new, and ready to go, by far the best in the world," Trump tweeted.

Russia has military intelligence that shows that a US drone was in Iranian air space when it was shot down by Iran last week, Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of Russia's Security Council, said on Tuesday.

Russia has military intelligence that shows that a US drone was in Iranian air space when it was shot down by Iran last week, Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of Russia's Security Council, said on Tuesday. An Iranian surface-to-air missile destroyed a US Global Hawk surveillance drone. Speaking at a briefing for journalists in Jerusalem, Patrushev said evidence presented by the United States alleging Iran was behind attacks on ships in the Gulf of Oman was poor quality and unprofessional. Iran had shot down a US military drone it said was on a spy mission over its territory. Washington said the aircraft was targeted in international air space in "an unprovoked attack". US President Trump had said last week that he aborted a military strike to retaliate for Iran's downing of the US drone because it could have killed 150 people, and signaled he was open to talks with Tehran. Tehran said the drone was shot down over its territory and Washington said it occurred in international airspace over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump's decision to cancel what he said was a planned attack on three sites suggests he wants a diplomatic solution to end weeks of festering tensions with Iran, which Washington accuses of a spate of attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf region. "I'm not looking for war, and if there is, it'll be obliteration like you've never seen before. But I'm not looking to do that," Trump told NBC News in an interview. In a series of early-morning tweets, Trump said he was in no hurry to launch a strike and that U.S. economic sanctions designed to force Iran to curb its nuclear and missile programs and its involvement in regional wars were having an effect. "We were cocked & loaded to retaliate last night," Trump tweeted. "Ten minutes before the strike I stopped it, not proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone. I am in no hurry, our military is rebuilt, new, and ready to go, by far the best in the world," Trump tweeted.

Have military intelligence to show US drone was in Iranian airspace: Russia

Oil Prices, Geopolitical Concerns; Here Is What The U.S.-Iran Tensions Mean From A Global Point Of View

Gravitas: U.S-Iran Tensions: The Global Perspective

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-oil-sanctions-wont-go-without-response-iran-213205">Iran</a> said on Wednesday it would not give European powers more time beyond July 8 to save its nuclear deal by shielding it from US sanctions.

The spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation said Tehran was ready to go through with a threat to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-exceed-enriched-uranium-limit-in-10-days-iran-227944">enrich uranium to a higher level </a>if Europe did not step in, a move that would breach the terms of a nuclear pact with world powers.

Any such breach would raise already heightened tensions between Iran and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-us-is-very-prepared-with-regard-to-iran-228665">US President Donald Trump</a> who has said he is ready to take military action to stop Tehran getting a nuclear bomb.

Tehran said in May it would reduce compliance with the nuclear pact it agreed with world powers in 2015, in protest at the United States’ decision to unilaterally pull out of the agreement and reimpose sanctions last year.

Iran added that it would start enriching uranium at a higher level unless other European signatories to the deal protected its economy from the US sanctions within 60 days.

"Iran's two-month deadline to remaining signatories of the JCPOA (nuclear deal) cannot be extended, and the second phase will be implemented exactly as planned," atomic agency spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.

President Hassan Rouhani said Iran’s actions were the "minimum" measures Tehran could adopt one year after the US withdrawal from the deal, but said they were reversible.

"If our demands are not met, we will take new measures after 60 days, calculated from May 8," Rouhani said in a cabinet meeting broadcast on state television.

"But if they return to their commitments, we will cancel all measures taken in the first 60 days or possibly the second 60 days, and there won't be any problem."

Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said Europe was not helping to counteract US sanctions on its energy sector by buying its oil.

Confrontation

The 2015 nuclear pact seeks to head off any pathway to an Iranian nuclear bomb in return for the removal of most international sanctions.

The accord requires Iran to curb its uranium enrichment capacity, capping Iran’s stock of low-enriched uranium at 300 kg of uranium hexafluoride enriched to 3.67 per cent or its equivalent for 15 years.

A series of more intrusive UN inspections under the deal have verified that Iran has been meeting its commitments. Iran has always said its nuclear programme is for electricity generation and medical purposes only.

Trump said he was pulling out of the deal because it was not permanent and failed to address Iran's missile programme or punish it for waging proxy wars in the Middle East. Trump's action has forced countries around the world to boycott Iranian oil or face sanctions of their own.

Britain, France and Germany have been planning a new push to keep Iran in the 2015 deal, but European officials have acknowledged they may be nearing the end of the diplomatic road.

Worries about a confrontation between Iran and the United States have mounted since attacks last week on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz shipping lane.

Washington blamed Iran, and the Pentagon announced the deployment of about 1,000 more US troops to the Middle East, citing concerns about a threat from Iran.

Iran has denied any involvement in the tanker attacks.

The secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, said on Wednesday there would be no military confrontation with the United States - echoing a statement from Iran's president a day earlier.

Iran said on Wednesday it would not give European powers more time beyond July 8 to save its nuclear deal by shielding it from US sanctions. The spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation said Tehran was ready to go through with a threat to enrich uranium to a higher level if Europe did not step in, a move that would breach the terms of a nuclear pact with world powers.

Iran said on Wednesday it would not give European powers more time beyond July 8 to save its nuclear deal by shielding it from US sanctions. The spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation said Tehran was ready to go through with a threat to enrich uranium to a higher level if Europe did not step in, a move that would breach the terms of a nuclear pact with world powers. Any such breach would raise already heightened tensions between Iran and US President Donald Trump who has said he is ready to take military action to stop Tehran getting a nuclear bomb. Tehran said in May it would reduce compliance with the nuclear pact it agreed with world powers in 2015, in protest at the United States’ decision to unilaterally pull out of the agreement and reimpose sanctions last year. Iran added that it would start enriching uranium at a higher level unless other European signatories to the deal protected its economy from the US sanctions within 60 days. "Iran's two-month deadline to remaining signatories of the JCPOA (nuclear deal) cannot be extended, and the second phase will be implemented exactly as planned," atomic agency spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency. President Hassan Rouhani said Iran’s actions were the "minimum" measures Tehran could adopt one year after the US withdrawal from the deal, but said they were reversible. "If our demands are not met, we will take new measures after 60 days, calculated from May 8," Rouhani said in a cabinet meeting broadcast on state television. "But if they return to their commitments, we will cancel all measures taken in the first 60 days or possibly the second 60 days, and there won't be any problem." Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said Europe was not helping to counteract US sanctions on its energy sector by buying its oil. Confrontation The 2015 nuclear pact seeks to head off any pathway to an Iranian nuclear bomb in return for the removal of most international sanctions. The accord requires Iran to curb its uranium enrichment capacity, capping Iran’s stock of low-enriched uranium at 300 kg of uranium hexafluoride enriched to 3.67 per cent or its equivalent for 15 years. A series of more intrusive UN inspections under the deal have verified that Iran has been meeting its commitments. Iran has always said its nuclear programme is for electricity generation and medical purposes only. Trump said he was pulling out of the deal because it was not permanent and failed to address Iran's missile programme or punish it for waging proxy wars in the Middle East. Trump's action has forced countries around the world to boycott Iranian oil or face sanctions of their own. Britain, France and Germany have been planning a new push to keep Iran in the 2015 deal, but European officials have acknowledged they may be nearing the end of the diplomatic road. Worries about a confrontation between Iran and the United States have mounted since attacks last week on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz shipping lane. Washington blamed Iran, and the Pentagon announced the deployment of about 1,000 more US troops to the Middle East, citing concerns about a threat from Iran. Iran has denied any involvement in the tanker attacks. The secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, said on Wednesday there would be no military confrontation with the United States - echoing a statement from Iran's president a day earlier.

Will not give Europe more time to save nuclear deal: Iran

Iran said Monday it will surpass from June 27 its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-weighing-full-range-of-options-to-counter-iran-including-a-military-strike-mike-pompeo-on-iran-227800">uranium stockpile limit set under </a>the nuclear deal with world powers, turning up the pressure after the US walked away from the landmark pact last year.

"Today the countdown to pass the 300 kilogrammes reserve of enriched uranium has started and in 10 days time... we will pass this limit," Iran's atomic energy organisation spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said at a press conference broadcast live.

The move "will be reversed once other parties live up to their commitments," he added, speaking from the Arak nuclear plant south-west of Tehran.

On May 8,<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-to-scale-back-nuclear-deal-commitments-report-227660"> President Hassan Rouhani</a> announced that Iran would stop observing restrictions on its stocks of enriched uranium and heavy water agreed under the 2015 nuclear deal.

He said the move was in retaliation for the unilateral US withdrawal from the accord a year earlier, which saw Washington impose tough economic sanctions on Tehran.

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Tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated ever since, with Washington bolstering its military presence in the region and blacklisting Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation.

The US has also blamed Iran for last week's attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman, a charge Tehran has denied as "baseless".

Iran has threatened to go even further in scaling down nuclear commitments by July 8 unless remaining partners to the deal -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- help it circumvent US sanctions and especially enable it to sell its oil.

Under the agreement, Iran pledged to reduce its nuclear capacities for several years and allow international inspectors inside the country to monitor its activities in return for relief from international sanctions.

The deal set a limit on the number of uranium-enriching centrifuges, and restricted its right to enrich uranium to no higher than 3.67 per cent, well below weapons-grade levels of around 90 per cent.

It also called on Iran to export enriched uranium and heavy water to ensure that the country's reserves would stay within the production ceiling set by the agreement, yet recent US restrictions have made such exports virtually impossible.

According to Rouhani, his ultimatum last month was intended to "save the (deal), not destroy it".

The three European parties to the accord created a trade mechanism meant to bypass US sanctions, but their attempt was dismissed by Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a "bitter joke."

If world powers do not step up to help Iran, the atomic energy organisation spokesman warned further steps could be taken.

"They range from going to 3.68 per cent to any other per cent according to the country's needs," said Kamalvandi.

Authorities are still debating whether to "redesign or revive" the Arak reactor, he added.

Uranium enriched to much higher levels than Iran's current stocks can be used as the fissile core of a nuclear weapon, while heavy water is a source of plutonium, which can be used as an alternative way to produce a warhead.

"A point to Europeans: if the first step took time to be done, other steps, especially increasing enrichment... need no more than a day or two," said Kamalvandi.

Germany has acknowledged the economic benefits Tehran hoped for from the deal were now "more difficult to obtain", but has urged Iran to fully respect the "extraordinarily important" nuclear deal.

Iran said Monday it will surpass from June 27 its uranium stockpile limit set under the nuclear deal with world powers, turning up the pressure after the US walked away from the landmark pact last year.

Iran said Monday it will surpass from June 27 its uranium stockpile limit set under the nuclear deal with world powers, turning up the pressure after the US walked away from the landmark pact last year. "Today the countdown to pass the 300 kilogrammes reserve of enriched uranium has started and in 10 days time... we will pass this limit," Iran's atomic energy organisation spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said at a press conference broadcast live. The move "will be reversed once other parties live up to their commitments," he added, speaking from the Arak nuclear plant south-west of Tehran. On May 8, President Hassan Rouhani announced that Iran would stop observing restrictions on its stocks of enriched uranium and heavy water agreed under the 2015 nuclear deal. He said the move was in retaliation for the unilateral US withdrawal from the accord a year earlier, which saw Washington impose tough economic sanctions on Tehran. Tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated ever since, with Washington bolstering its military presence in the region and blacklisting Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation. The US has also blamed Iran for last week's attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman, a charge Tehran has denied as "baseless". Iran has threatened to go even further in scaling down nuclear commitments by July 8 unless remaining partners to the deal -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- help it circumvent US sanctions and especially enable it to sell its oil. Under the agreement, Iran pledged to reduce its nuclear capacities for several years and allow international inspectors inside the country to monitor its activities in return for relief from international sanctions. The deal set a limit on the number of uranium-enriching centrifuges, and restricted its right to enrich uranium to no higher than 3.67 per cent, well below weapons-grade levels of around 90 per cent. It also called on Iran to export enriched uranium and heavy water to ensure that the country's reserves would stay within the production ceiling set by the agreement, yet recent US restrictions have made such exports virtually impossible. According to Rouhani, his ultimatum last month was intended to "save the (deal), not destroy it". The three European parties to the accord created a trade mechanism meant to bypass US sanctions, but their attempt was dismissed by Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a "bitter joke." If world powers do not step up to help Iran, the atomic energy organisation spokesman warned further steps could be taken. "They range from going to 3.68 per cent to any other per cent according to the country's needs," said Kamalvandi. Authorities are still debating whether to "redesign or revive" the Arak reactor, he added. Uranium enriched to much higher levels than Iran's current stocks can be used as the fissile core of a nuclear weapon, while heavy water is a source of plutonium, which can be used as an alternative way to produce a warhead. "A point to Europeans: if the first step took time to be done, other steps, especially increasing enrichment... need no more than a day or two," said Kamalvandi. Germany has acknowledged the economic benefits Tehran hoped for from the deal were now "more difficult to obtain", but has urged Iran to fully respect the "extraordinarily important" nuclear deal.

Will exceed enriched uranium limit in 10 days: Iran

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said he would be willing for talks with the US but not under the current situation, local media IRNA reported on Monday.

"Today's situation is not suitable for talks and our choice is resistance only" IRNA quoted Rouhani as saying.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/americas/us-will-respond-with-great-force-if-iran-attacks-interests-donald-trump-220247">Trump on Monday warned Iran</a> would be met with "great force" if it attacked US interests in the Middle East.

''I think Iran would be making a very big mistake if they did anything,''&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-not-trying-to-set-up-negotiation-with-iran-trump-220237">Trump told reporters</a> as he left the White House yesterday evening for an event in Pennsylvania. ''If they do something, it will be met with great force but we have no indication that they will.''

Trump also said that he was willing to have talks with Iran "when they're ready."

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Trump's comments came as two US government sources said the United States strongly suspects Shi'ite militias with ties to, and possibly encouragement from, Iran fired a rocket on Sunday into Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.

The sources, who are familiar with US national security assessments and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the United States was still trying to establish which militia fired the Katyusha rocket on Sunday and the extent, if any, of Iranian involvement.

The rocket fell in the Green Zone which houses government buildings and embassies and caused no casualties, the latest in a series of regional attacks the United States believes may have been inspired by Iran.&nbsp;

Iran has rejected allegations of its possible involvement in attacks last week and Iran's Iraqi allies rushed to condemn Sunday's rocket blast.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said he would be willing for talks with the US but not under the current situation, local media IRNA reported on Monday. "Today's situation is not suitable for talks and our choice is resistance only" IRNA quoted Rouhani as saying.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said he would be willing for talks with the US but not under the current situation, local media IRNA reported on Monday. "Today's situation is not suitable for talks and our choice is resistance only" IRNA quoted Rouhani as saying. Trump on Monday warned Iran would be met with "great force" if it attacked US interests in the Middle East. ''I think Iran would be making a very big mistake if they did anything,'' Trump told reporters as he left the White House yesterday evening for an event in Pennsylvania. ''If they do something, it will be met with great force but we have no indication that they will.'' Trump also said that he was willing to have talks with Iran "when they're ready." Trump's comments came as two US government sources said the United States strongly suspects Shi'ite militias with ties to, and possibly encouragement from, Iran fired a rocket on Sunday into Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone. The sources, who are familiar with US national security assessments and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the United States was still trying to establish which militia fired the Katyusha rocket on Sunday and the extent, if any, of Iranian involvement. The rocket fell in the Green Zone which houses government buildings and embassies and caused no casualties, the latest in a series of regional attacks the United States believes may have been inspired by Iran. Iran has rejected allegations of its possible involvement in attacks last week and Iran's Iraqi allies rushed to condemn Sunday's rocket blast.

Today's situation not suitable for talks, choice is resistance only: Iran's Rouhani

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-iran-nuclear-pact-must-be-upheld-216980"> imposed new sanctions on Iran</a>, targeting revenue from its exports of industrial metals, the latest salvo in tensions between Washington and Tehran over a 2015 international accord curbing the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.

Iran had announced hours earlier that it was relaxing some restrictions on its nuclear program, steps that stopped short of violating the deal with world powers for now, but threatening more action if countries do not shield it <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-will-resume-uranium-enrichment-if-world-powers-do-not-keep-nuclear-agreement-promise-rouhani-216939">from US sanctions</a>.

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An executive order issued by Trump covers Iran's iron, steel, aluminium, and copper sectors, the government's largest non-petroleum-related sources of export revenue and 10 percent of its export economy, a White House statement said.

&nbsp;

"Tehran can expect further actions unless it fundamentally alters its conduct," Trump said.

The administration says the nuclear deal, negotiated by Trump's predecessor Barack Obama, was flawed as it is not permanent, does not address Iran's ballistic missile program and does not punish it for waging proxy wars in the Middle East.

Tensions between the two countries were already high when the Trump administration said last weekend that it was deploying a carrier strike group and bombers to the Middle East in response to what it said were "troubling indications and warnings" from Iran.

On Wednesday, a senior administration official said the United States was "not escalating militarily against Iran" and accused Iran of being "provocative." It was in Iran's best interests to continue complying with the pact, the official said.

The executive order effectively bans entities from the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of those minerals and their products from Iran or face sanctions.

It also says any individuals and entities would be subject to US sanctions if they knowingly engaged in a significant transaction for the sale, supply, or transfer to Iran of significant goods or services used in connection with those industrial metal sectors.

The US Treasury said it was allowing a 90-day winding down period for transactions related to Iran's metals sectors and warned against entering into any new business after May 8, saying that would not be considered a wind-down activity.

A year ago, Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the nuclear deal signed by Iran, Russia, China, Britain, France, Germany and the United States. The accord relaxed international sanctions on Iran in return for Tehran accepting curbs on its nuclear program that were designed to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons. Tehran has said it pursued a peaceful nuclear program only.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced changes on Wednesday that experts said seemed tailored to ensure Tehran avoids triggering the deal's mechanism to punish it for violations, at least for now. The main new measure that takes effect now would have limited practical impact: a halt to Iran's sales of enriched uranium and heavy water to other countries.

The deal allows such sales so Iran can keep reducing its stockpiles below maximum thresholds, but Washington already effectively barred the sales with a sanctions move last week. For now, Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium is still well below the deal's cap and heavy water is less sensitive.

"The Iranian people and the world should know that today is not the end of the JCPOA," Rouhani said in a televised address, using the acronym for the nuclear deal. "These are actions in line with the JCPOA."

Rouhani also threatened that in 60 days Iran would resume enrichment of uranium beyond the low fissile purity - suitable for civilian nuclear power generation - allowed under the deal, unless the five other powers signed up to it found a way to protect Iran's oil and banking industries from U.S. sanctions.

Tehran halting compliance with some elements of the nuclear deal was "nothing less than nuclear blackmail of Europe," Tim Morrison, special assistant to the U.S. president and senior director for weapons of mass destruction, told a conference.

"Now is the time for the community of nations to strongly condemn Iran’s nuclear misconduct and increase pressure on the regime to comply with US demands," Morrison said.

Morrison said the United States would move quickly against any attempt by European countries to undermine Washington's sanctions pressure on Iran. He advised them against using the so-called Special Purpose Vehicle to facilitate non-dollar trade to circumvent US sanctions.

From this month, Washington has effectively ordered countries worldwide to stop buying Iranian oil or face sanctions of their own. The Trump administration has revoked waivers that had allowed some countries to continue buying Iranian oil and it aims to reduce Iranian crude exports to zero.

Washington has also blacklisted Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist group. Iran responded with threats to close the Gulf's Strait of Hormuz - the conduit for about a third of the world's seaborne oil exports - if its ships were blocked there.

"We have made our focus diplomatic isolation and economic pressure and that policy is working," Brian Hook, Special Envoy for Iran, said in a briefing. Hook said that more nations now, compared with a year ago, were in agreement with the United States on Iran.

Washington's European allies opposed Trump's decision to pull out and have tried, so far in vain, to find ways to blunt the economic impact of new U.S. sanctions, which include an all-out effort to block Iran's oil exports to throttle its economy.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed new sanctions on Iran, targeting revenue from its exports of industrial metals, the latest salvo in tensions between Washington and Tehran over a 2015 international accord curbing the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed new sanctions on Iran, targeting revenue from its exports of industrial metals, the latest salvo in tensions between Washington and Tehran over a 2015 international accord curbing the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. Iran had announced hours earlier that it was relaxing some restrictions on its nuclear program, steps that stopped short of violating the deal with world powers for now, but threatening more action if countries do not shield it from US sanctions. An executive order issued by Trump covers Iran's iron, steel, aluminium, and copper sectors, the government's largest non-petroleum-related sources of export revenue and 10 percent of its export economy, a White House statement said. "Tehran can expect further actions unless it fundamentally alters its conduct," Trump said. The administration says the nuclear deal, negotiated by Trump's predecessor Barack Obama, was flawed as it is not permanent, does not address Iran's ballistic missile program and does not punish it for waging proxy wars in the Middle East. Tensions between the two countries were already high when the Trump administration said last weekend that it was deploying a carrier strike group and bombers to the Middle East in response to what it said were "troubling indications and warnings" from Iran. On Wednesday, a senior administration official said the United States was "not escalating militarily against Iran" and accused Iran of being "provocative." It was in Iran's best interests to continue complying with the pact, the official said. The executive order effectively bans entities from the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of those minerals and their products from Iran or face sanctions. It also says any individuals and entities would be subject to US sanctions if they knowingly engaged in a significant transaction for the sale, supply, or transfer to Iran of significant goods or services used in connection with those industrial metal sectors. The US Treasury said it was allowing a 90-day winding down period for transactions related to Iran's metals sectors and warned against entering into any new business after May 8, saying that would not be considered a wind-down activity. A year ago, Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the nuclear deal signed by Iran, Russia, China, Britain, France, Germany and the United States. The accord relaxed international sanctions on Iran in return for Tehran accepting curbs on its nuclear program that were designed to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons. Tehran has said it pursued a peaceful nuclear program only. Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced changes on Wednesday that experts said seemed tailored to ensure Tehran avoids triggering the deal's mechanism to punish it for violations, at least for now. The main new measure that takes effect now would have limited practical impact: a halt to Iran's sales of enriched uranium and heavy water to other countries. The deal allows such sales so Iran can keep reducing its stockpiles below maximum thresholds, but Washington already effectively barred the sales with a sanctions move last week. For now, Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium is still well below the deal's cap and heavy water is less sensitive. "The Iranian people and the world should know that today is not the end of the JCPOA," Rouhani said in a televised address, using the acronym for the nuclear deal. "These are actions in line with the JCPOA." Rouhani also threatened that in 60 days Iran would resume enrichment of uranium beyond the low fissile purity - suitable for civilian nuclear power generation - allowed under the deal, unless the five other powers signed up to it found a way to protect Iran's oil and banking industries from U.S. sanctions. Tehran halting compliance with some elements of the nuclear deal was "nothing less than nuclear blackmail of Europe," Tim Morrison, special assistant to the U.S. president and senior director for weapons of mass destruction, told a conference. "Now is the time for the community of nations to strongly condemn Iran’s nuclear misconduct and increase pressure on the regime to comply with US demands," Morrison said. Morrison said the United States would move quickly against any attempt by European countries to undermine Washington's sanctions pressure on Iran. He advised them against using the so-called Special Purpose Vehicle to facilitate non-dollar trade to circumvent US sanctions. From this month, Washington has effectively ordered countries worldwide to stop buying Iranian oil or face sanctions of their own. The Trump administration has revoked waivers that had allowed some countries to continue buying Iranian oil and it aims to reduce Iranian crude exports to zero. Washington has also blacklisted Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist group. Iran responded with threats to close the Gulf's Strait of Hormuz - the conduit for about a third of the world's seaborne oil exports - if its ships were blocked there. "We have made our focus diplomatic isolation and economic pressure and that policy is working," Brian Hook, Special Envoy for Iran, said in a briefing. Hook said that more nations now, compared with a year ago, were in agreement with the United States on Iran. Washington's European allies opposed Trump's decision to pull out and have tried, so far in vain, to find ways to blunt the economic impact of new U.S. sanctions, which include an all-out effort to block Iran's oil exports to throttle its economy.

Trump targets Iran's iron, steel, aluminium & copper sectors in new sanctions

Iran will resume <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-to-reduce-nuclear-commitments-state-media-216851">high-level enrichment</a> of uranium if world powers do not keep their promises under a 2015 nuclear agreement, President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday, responding to the US withdrawal from the deal a year ago.

In a speech broadcast on national television, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-suggests-sanctions-could-be-reimposed-if-iran-reneges-on-deal-216860">Rouhani said the remaining</a> signatories - the United Kingdom, France, Germany, China and Russia - had 60 days to implement their promises to protect Iran's oil and banking sectors from US sanctions.

Rouhani has written to the leaders of those countries, saying it will start rolling back some of its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal on Wednesday, and will no longer sell enriched uranium and heavy water to other nations.

"If the five countries came to the negotiating table and we reached an agreement, and if they could protect our interests in oil and banking sectors, we will go back to square one (and will resume our commitments)," Rouhani said.

Iran told ambassadors from the signatory countries that it would roll back some of its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal, state broadcaster IRIB reported on Wednesday.

Rouhani warned of a firm response if Iran's nuclear case is referred again to the United Nations Security Council, but said Tehran was ready for negotiations over its nuclear programme.

He also said his country will no longer sell enriched uranium and heavy water to other nations.

Meanwhile, the US military said that B-52 bombers will be part of additional forces being sent to the Middle East to counter what the Trump administration says are "clear indications" of threats from Iran to US forces there.

White House national security adviser John Bolton had said on Sunday that the United States was deploying a carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East.

Captain Bill Urban, a spokesman for US&nbsp;Central Command, said that the bomber task force would consist of B-52 bombers.

However, Iran's top security body dismissed the US&nbsp;plan to send forces to the region as "psychological warfare."

The US military confirmed that the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group had already been scheduled to go to the Middle East, but that its movement was "expedited" due to heightened tension with Iran.

Iran will resume high-level enrichment of uranium if world powers do not keep their promises under a 2015 nuclear agreement, President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday, responding to the US withdrawal from the deal a year ago.

Iran will resume high-level enrichment of uranium if world powers do not keep their promises under a 2015 nuclear agreement, President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday, responding to the US withdrawal from the deal a year ago. In a speech broadcast on national television, Rouhani said the remaining signatories - the United Kingdom, France, Germany, China and Russia - had 60 days to implement their promises to protect Iran's oil and banking sectors from US sanctions. Rouhani has written to the leaders of those countries, saying it will start rolling back some of its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal on Wednesday, and will no longer sell enriched uranium and heavy water to other nations. "If the five countries came to the negotiating table and we reached an agreement, and if they could protect our interests in oil and banking sectors, we will go back to square one (and will resume our commitments)," Rouhani said. Iran told ambassadors from the signatory countries that it would roll back some of its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal, state broadcaster IRIB reported on Wednesday. Rouhani warned of a firm response if Iran's nuclear case is referred again to the United Nations Security Council, but said Tehran was ready for negotiations over its nuclear programme. He also said his country will no longer sell enriched uranium and heavy water to other nations. Meanwhile, the US military said that B-52 bombers will be part of additional forces being sent to the Middle East to counter what the Trump administration says are "clear indications" of threats from Iran to US forces there. White House national security adviser John Bolton had said on Sunday that the United States was deploying a carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East. Captain Bill Urban, a spokesman for US Central Command, said that the bomber task force would consist of B-52 bombers. However, Iran's top security body dismissed the US plan to send forces to the region as "psychological warfare." The US military confirmed that the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group had already been scheduled to go to the Middle East, but that its movement was "expedited" due to heightened tension with Iran.

Iran will resume uranium enrichment if world powers do not keep nuclear agreement promise: Rouhani

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran Tuesday that Israeli missiles can travel "very far", on the eve of a conference in Poland about peace and security in the Middle East.

Speaking during a visit to a naval base in the northern port of Haifa, Netanyahu said, "The missiles you see behind me can go very far, against any enemy, including Iran's proxies in our region" -- an apparent reference to Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah movement.

"We are constantly working according to our u

nderstanding and the need to prevent Iran and its proxies from entrenching on our northern border and in our region in general," Netanyahu added.

"We are doing everything necessary," said Netanyahu, as he inspected Israel's Iron Dome aerial defence system.

Netanyahu has repeatedly said Israel would not allow Iran and its ally Hezbollah to entrench themselves in neighbouring Syria where they are backing the Damascus regime against rebels and jihadists.

Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes in Syria in the past few years against Iranian and Hezbollah targets.

On Wednesday the Israeli prime minister is set to take part in an international conference in Warsaw co-organised by the United States and Poland.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last month announced the two-day conference saying it would focus on the "destabilising influence" of Iran in the Middle East.

But with few RSVPs coming, Poland and the US have toned down the agenda to focus on ways of promoting peace and security in the Middle East.

During the conference, US President Donald Trump son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, who has been putting final touches on a "deal of the century" for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, will make a rare speaking appearance.

Kushner may offer hints of the US peace proposal but is not expected to unveil the full deal until after the April 9 election in Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran Tuesday that Israeli missiles can travel "very far", on the eve of a conference in Poland about peace and security in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran Tuesday that Israeli missiles can travel "very far", on the eve of a conference in Poland about peace and security in the Middle East. Speaking during a visit to a naval base in the northern port of Haifa, Netanyahu said, "The missiles you see behind me can go very far, against any enemy, including Iran's proxies in our region" -- an apparent reference to Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah movement. "We are constantly working according to our u nderstanding and the need to prevent Iran and its proxies from entrenching on our northern border and in our region in general," Netanyahu added. "We are doing everything necessary," said Netanyahu, as he inspected Israel's Iron Dome aerial defence system. Netanyahu has repeatedly said Israel would not allow Iran and its ally Hezbollah to entrench themselves in neighbouring Syria where they are backing the Damascus regime against rebels and jihadists. Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes in Syria in the past few years against Iranian and Hezbollah targets. On Wednesday the Israeli prime minister is set to take part in an international conference in Warsaw co-organised by the United States and Poland. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last month announced the two-day conference saying it would focus on the "destabilising influence" of Iran in the Middle East. But with few RSVPs coming, Poland and the US have toned down the agenda to focus on ways of promoting peace and security in the Middle East. During the conference, US President Donald Trump son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, who has been putting final touches on a "deal of the century" for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, will make a rare speaking appearance. Kushner may offer hints of the US peace proposal but is not expected to unveil the full deal until after the April 9 election in Israel.

Israel warns Iran that its missiles can travel 'very far'

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/13-dead-2-still-missing-in-cargo-plane-crash-iran-army-190221">Iran's president</a> said Monday the Islamic Republic plans to launch two domestically made satellites into orbit in the "coming days" to gather information on the country's environment, state TV reported.

"In the coming days we will launch two satellites into space," President Hassan Rouhani said during a trip to the northeastern Golestan province.

"Both the Payam satellite and its carrier rocket are made in our own country and by the youth of this nation," he added.

Payam would orbit the earth at about 600 kilometres (370 miles) above its surface, according to state TV.

Rouhani did not name the second satellite but said both were manufactured at Tehran's Amirkabir University of Technology.

Iran's telecommunications minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi said Wednesday that Payam and a second satellite called Doosti had been successfully tested and that there would be "good news" soon, the conservative Tasnim news agency reported.

Doosti would be tasked with the same purpose as Payam, with a focus on agriculture, and would orbit at an altitude of 250 kilometres, he added.

Earlier this month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Iran's plans for sending satellites into orbit would violate a 2015 UN Security Council resolution which endorsed an international accord on ending Tehran's nuclear programme.

Resolution 2231 called on Iran to refrain from any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

"The United States will not stand by and watch the Iranian regime's destructive policies place international stability and security at risk," Pompeo said in a statement on January 3.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cargo-plane-crashes-in-iran-10-feared-dead-190173">Tehran</a> and Washington have been at loggerheads since the US walked away in May last year from the landmark deal with Iran and reimposed crippling sanctions on the country.

Tehran denied the charges Monday that its aerospace activities were a violation of the security council resolution, semi-official ISNA news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi as saying.

"The satellite is part of a civil project with purely scientific aims. Iran will wait for no country's permission to conduct such scientific projects," Ghasemi added.

'In the coming days we will launch two satellites into space,' President Hassan Rouhani said during a trip to the northeastern Golestan province.

Iran's president said Monday the Islamic Republic plans to launch two domestically made satellites into orbit in the "coming days" to gather information on the country's environment, state TV reported. "In the coming days we will launch two satellites into space," President Hassan Rouhani said during a trip to the northeastern Golestan province. "Both the Payam satellite and its carrier rocket are made in our own country and by the youth of this nation," he added. Payam would orbit the earth at about 600 kilometres (370 miles) above its surface, according to state TV. Rouhani did not name the second satellite but said both were manufactured at Tehran's Amirkabir University of Technology. Iran's telecommunications minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi said Wednesday that Payam and a second satellite called Doosti had been successfully tested and that there would be "good news" soon, the conservative Tasnim news agency reported. Doosti would be tasked with the same purpose as Payam, with a focus on agriculture, and would orbit at an altitude of 250 kilometres, he added. Earlier this month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Iran's plans for sending satellites into orbit would violate a 2015 UN Security Council resolution which endorsed an international accord on ending Tehran's nuclear programme. Resolution 2231 called on Iran to refrain from any activity related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons. "The United States will not stand by and watch the Iranian regime's destructive policies place international stability and security at risk," Pompeo said in a statement on January 3. Tehran and Washington have been at loggerheads since the US walked away in May last year from the landmark deal with Iran and reimposed crippling sanctions on the country. Tehran denied the charges Monday that its aerospace activities were a violation of the security council resolution, semi-official ISNA news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi as saying. "The satellite is part of a civil project with purely scientific aims. Iran will wait for no country's permission to conduct such scientific projects," Ghasemi added.

Iran to launch two satellites in 'coming days': President Hassan Rouhani

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