Iran-Israel war - Ceasefire and future of Iranian nuclear programme: Remarks made by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, hinting that other countries can help Iran get a nuclear weapon, have ruffled quite a few feathers, with even US President Donald Trump slamming him. While Medvedev later clarified his remarks that he didn't mean Russia will give Iran the bomb, the reality is that Moscow is deeply entrenched in the Iranian nuclear programme. The Russian nuclear export industry is in fact one of the biggest in the world, helping several countries in their peaceful nuclear programmes. While Russia may not directly help Iran with the nuclear bomb, one must not forget Russia's deep involvement in the Iranian nuclear programme through personnel, material and knowledge transfer. Here is what you should know about the Russian nuclear industry, and how it has been helping Iran.&nbsp;<h2>Russian nuclear industry is a multi-billion-dollar enterprise</h2>Led by state-run Rosatom, Russia is a top global player in the nuclear export industry. As of 2023, Rosatom made $11.8 billion in revenue. Nuclear material exports, reactor construction, fuel supply, and related services contributed to this. Globally, Russia controls nearly 38 per cent of uranium conversion and 46 per cent of uranium enrichment. This makes Russia a dominant supplier in the nuclear fuel cycle in the world.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nato-summit-2025-donald-trump-says-iran-nuclear-facility-collapsed-nobody-can-go-inside-1750853229936/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/nato-summit-2025-donald-trump-says-iran-nuclear-facility-collapsed-nobody-can-go-inside-1750853229936/embed</a>&nbsp;Russian nuclear exports include a variety of services and materials: building nuclear power plants, supply of nuclear fuel, technical expertise and consulting. Russia has contracts with countries across continents.&nbsp;<h2>Which countries' nuclear programmes has Russia helped?</h2>Russia's clients for mainly peaceful nuclear programmes include Iran, China, India, Turkey and Egypt. Much of this is in the nuclear power generation, such as Turkey's Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, Egypt's El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, India's Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, China's Tianwan and Xudabao Nuclear Power Plants, Bangladesh's Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Hungary's Paks II Nuclear Power Plant and Belarus' Ostrovets Nuclear Power Plant.Russia has nuclear tech and fuel supply agreements with Vietnam and Uzbekistan.&nbsp;<h2>Russian civilian nuclear partnerships have raised dual-use concerns</h2>There are concerns that some of the dual-use material Russia has provided could cause the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The most significant currently is the case of Iran. Russia has, over the decades, extensively supported Iranian civilian nuclear infrastructure. From the Soviet Union era onwards, Russia has helped the nuclear programme of North Korea, though the cooperation currently is of limited scope. While Russia did discuss nuclear cooperation with Syria during the Assad regime, there are no active programmes, mainly due to international pressure.While Russia maintains that its nuclear exports are for civilian purposes, how the technology transfers could be used for military capabilities is a cause of concern, something Moscow may not be able to control.&nbsp;<h2>From manpower to fuel to infra, Russia has deep links to the Iranian nuclear programme</h2>Hundreds of Russian specialists are working at Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. They are engineers and technicians from Rosatom, and come from prestigious institutions like the Kurchatov Institute. They are engaged in overseeing reactor operations and maintenance and have trained Iranians for years, enhancing the Islamic Republic's nuclear know-how. According to some recent estimates, there are some 300 Russian firms and research institutions involved in the Iranian nuclear programme.&nbsp;On the one hand, it gives employment to Russians in the nuclear sector, while on the other, it provides an additional workforce for the Iranian nuclear programme.&nbsp;<h2>How Russia is helping Iranian nuclear programme</h2>Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant is the flagship entity in Iran's civil nuclear programme. Russia became the main contractor of the plant after the Germans, who started it, left the plant after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Russia helped build the first VVER-1000 reactor at Bushehr in 2011 and is helping the construction of two more reactors - Bushehr 2 and 3. In 2014, the two nations signed contracts for up to eight more reactors. Russia exports the nuclear fuel for Bushehr, monitored by the IAEA. Moscow has also conducted feasibility studies for additional reactors.&nbsp;Beyond nuclear fuel, the main help Iran gets from Russia is in technology transfer: reactor design, operational protocols and training. There is worry among the international community, particularly Israel and the US, that Iran could use the Russian expertise for a nuclear weapon, specifically in uranium enrichment and fuel cycle technologies.&nbsp;<h2>The Medvedev remarks: Can countries other than Russia help Iran in building the bomb?</h2>As per official records, Russia has not provided bomb-grade enrichment technology directly to Iran. But over the years, Russia has helped in Iran’s nuclear research and uranium mining capabilities, things that could be used by Tehran in its alleged quest for the bomb.It is in this context that Medvedev’s remarks should be seen. He said that “a number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads”. His comments came after American B2 bombers struck Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.&nbsp;<h2>Was Medvedev making a threat?</h2>Observers think Medvedevs' remarks were mostly rhetoric. An assessment by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, for instance, said that direct transfer of nuclear warheads is not practical: it is technically complex and can be traced.&nbsp;Note that nuclear weapons require specialised delivery systems and maintenance. Fissile material forensics can trace back any such transfers, including from Russia, if it indeed supplies nuclear warheads to Iran. Any such move by Russia will lead to global retaliation, particularly from the US, and will be violative of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).&nbsp;<h2>For the civil nuclear programme, Russia will continue to be a key helper for Iran</h2>In all likelihood, the Russian cooperation with Iran in its civilian nuclear programme will continue, partly due to the revenue and employment aspects mentioned earlier.Russia’s foreign ministry has already condemned the Israeli and American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites as violating international law. Russia vowed it will continue cooperating with Iran for a peaceful nuclear programme, including ongoing work at Bushehr. It might also include support for new enrichment facilities, given that Iran said after the strikes that it plans to install advanced centrifuges.&nbsp;<h2>What's Russia’s motivation to continue help in Iran's nuclear programme?</h2>Much of it has to do with global power play. Russia, under President Vladimir Putin, wants to continue countering US dominance, and keep its influence alive in the West Asian region. Nuclear energy contracts are lucrative, and a key aspect of the Russian economy.Therefore, Russia will most likely continue giving Iran fuel, technical expertise, and infrastructure support, ostensibly for the civilian nuclear programme, which might contain dual-use material that can be leveraged by Iran for the bomb.&nbsp;

While Russia may not directly help Iran with the nuclear bomb, one must not forget Russian involvement in the Iranian nuclear programme through fuel, personnel, and knowledge transfers



Iran-Israel war - Ceasefire and future of Iranian nuclear programme: Remarks made by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, hinting that other countries can help Iran get a nuclear weapon, have ruffled quite a few feathers, with even US President Donald Trump slamming him. While Medvedev later clarified his remarks that he didn't mean Russia will give Iran the bomb, the reality is that Moscow is deeply entrenched in the Iranian nuclear programme. The Russian nuclear export industry is in fact one of the biggest in the world, helping several countries in their peaceful nuclear programmes. While Russia may not directly help Iran with the nuclear bomb, one must not forget Russia's deep involvement in the Iranian nuclear programme through personnel, material and knowledge transfer. Here is what you should know about the Russian nuclear industry, and how it has been helping Iran. Russian nuclear industry is a multi-billion-dollar enterprise Led by state-run Rosatom, Russia is a top global player in the nuclear export industry. As of 2023, Rosatom made $11.8 billion in revenue. Nuclear material exports, reactor construction, fuel supply, and related services contributed to this. Globally, Russia controls nearly 38 per cent of uranium conversion and 46 per cent of uranium enrichment. This makes Russia a dominant supplier in the nuclear fuel cycle in the world. https://www.wionews.com/videos/nato-summit-2025-donald-trump-says-iran-nuclear-facility-collapsed-nobody-can-go-inside-1750853229936/embed Russian nuclear exports include a variety of services and materials: building nuclear power plants, supply of nuclear fuel, technical expertise and consulting. Russia has contracts with countries across continents. Which countries' nuclear programmes has Russia helped? Russia's clients for mainly peaceful nuclear programmes include Iran, China, India, Turkey and Egypt. Much of this is in the nuclear power generation, such as Turkey's Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, Egypt's El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, India's Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, China's Tianwan and Xudabao Nuclear Power Plants, Bangladesh's Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Hungary's Paks II Nuclear Power Plant and Belarus' Ostrovets Nuclear Power Plant. Russia has nuclear tech and fuel supply agreements with Vietnam and Uzbekistan. Russian civilian nuclear partnerships have raised dual-use concerns There are concerns that some of the dual-use material Russia has provided could cause the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The most significant currently is the case of Iran. Russia has, over the decades, extensively supported Iranian civilian nuclear infrastructure. From the Soviet Union era onwards, Russia has helped the nuclear programme of North Korea, though the cooperation currently is of limited scope. While Russia did discuss nuclear cooperation with Syria during the Assad regime, there are no active programmes, mainly due to international pressure. While Russia maintains that its nuclear exports are for civilian purposes, how the technology transfers could be used for military capabilities is a cause of concern, something Moscow may not be able to control. From manpower to fuel to infra, Russia has deep links to the Iranian nuclear programme Hundreds of Russian specialists are working at Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. They are engineers and technicians from Rosatom, and come from prestigious institutions like the Kurchatov Institute. They are engaged in overseeing reactor operations and maintenance and have trained Iranians for years, enhancing the Islamic Republic's nuclear know-how. According to some recent estimates, there are some 300 Russian firms and research institutions involved in the Iranian nuclear programme. On the one hand, it gives employment to Russians in the nuclear sector, while on the other, it provides an additional workforce for the Iranian nuclear programme. How Russia is helping Iranian nuclear programme Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant is the flagship entity in Iran's civil nuclear programme. Russia became the main contractor of the plant after the Germans, who started it, left the plant after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Russia helped build the first VVER-1000 reactor at Bushehr in 2011 and is helping the construction of two more reactors - Bushehr 2 and 3. In 2014, the two nations signed contracts for up to eight more reactors. Russia exports the nuclear fuel for Bushehr, monitored by the IAEA. Moscow has also conducted feasibility studies for additional reactors. Beyond nuclear fuel, the main help Iran gets from Russia is in technology transfer: reactor design, operational protocols and training. There is worry among the international community, particularly Israel and the US, that Iran could use the Russian expertise for a nuclear weapon, specifically in uranium enrichment and fuel cycle technologies. The Medvedev remarks: Can countries other than Russia help Iran in building the bomb? As per official records, Russia has not provided bomb-grade enrichment technology directly to Iran. But over the years, Russia has helped in Iran’s nuclear research and uranium mining capabilities, things that could be used by Tehran in its alleged quest for the bomb. It is in this context that Medvedev’s remarks should be seen. He said that “a number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads”. His comments came after American B2 bombers struck Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Was Medvedev making a threat? Observers think Medvedevs' remarks were mostly rhetoric. An assessment by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, for instance, said that direct transfer of nuclear warheads is not practical: it is technically complex and can be traced. Note that nuclear weapons require specialised delivery systems and maintenance. Fissile material forensics can trace back any such transfers, including from Russia, if it indeed supplies nuclear warheads to Iran. Any such move by Russia will lead to global retaliation, particularly from the US, and will be violative of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). For the civil nuclear programme, Russia will continue to be a key helper for Iran In all likelihood, the Russian cooperation with Iran in its civilian nuclear programme will continue, partly due to the revenue and employment aspects mentioned earlier. Russia’s foreign ministry has already condemned the Israeli and American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites as violating international law. Russia vowed it will continue cooperating with Iran for a peaceful nuclear programme, including ongoing work at Bushehr. It might also include support for new enrichment facilities, given that Iran said after the strikes that it plans to install advanced centrifuges. What's Russia’s motivation to continue help in Iran's nuclear programme? Much of it has to do with global power play. Russia, under President Vladimir Putin, wants to continue countering US dominance, and keep its influence alive in the West Asian region. Nuclear energy contracts are lucrative, and a key aspect of the Russian economy. Therefore, Russia will most likely continue giving Iran fuel, technical expertise, and infrastructure support, ostensibly for the civilian nuclear programme, which might contain dual-use material that can be leveraged by Iran for the bomb.

While Russia may not directly help Iran with the nuclear bomb, one must not forget Russia's deep involvement in the Iranian nuclear programme through fuel, personnel, and knowledge transfer.&nbsp;

Will Russia help Iran rebuild nuclear programme hit hard by B2 bombers and Israeli strikes? Moscow is deeply involved in…

Each B-2 can carry up to 16 B61-12 variable yield nuclear bombs or B83 bombs with a yield of up to 1.2 megatons. In total, a single B-2 squadron could deliver 192 nuclear bombs across targets worldwide.

The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber is often called the most deadly aircraft ever built. But what if a full squadron of B-2s was launched in a nuclear strike? Could they really end human civilisation?

How a squadron of B-2 Bombers can wipe out entire human civilisation?

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he is not seeking regime change in Iran, days after appearing to suggest otherwise on social media.Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump downplayed the idea of removing Iran’s current leadership. “If there was, there was, but no, I don’t want it. I’d like to see everything calm down as quickly as possible,” he said. “Regime change takes chaos, and ideally we don’t want to see so much chaos,” he added.“You know, the Iranians are very good traders, very good business people, and they’ve got a lot of oil. They should be fine. They should be able to rebuild and do a good job. They’re never going to have nuclear but other than that, they should do a great job,” the US President said.<h2>But his Truth Social post said otherwise</h2>The president’s comments appeared to contradict a post he made earlier on Truth Social. “It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a regime change??? MIGA!!!” he wrote.Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have all said the US goal is not to remove Iran’s leadership, but to end its nuclear ambitions.“We don’t want to achieve regime change. We want to achieve the end of the Iranian nuclear programme,” Vance told ABC, according to Politico.<h2>What regime change in Iran would mean</h2>Regime change would involve removing the Islamic Republic’s leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, potentially leading to the collapse of the political system established after the 1979 revolution.The last time the US played a role in changing Iran’s leadership was in 1953, when the CIA backed a coup against Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh.

Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have all said the US goal is not to remove Iran’s leadership, but to end its nuclear ambitions.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he is not seeking regime change in Iran, days after appearing to suggest otherwise on social media. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump downplayed the idea of removing Iran’s current leadership. “If there was, there was, but no, I don’t want it. I’d like to see everything calm down as quickly as possible,” he said. “Regime change takes chaos, and ideally we don’t want to see so much chaos,” he added. “You know, the Iranians are very good traders, very good business people, and they’ve got a lot of oil. They should be fine. They should be able to rebuild and do a good job. They’re never going to have nuclear but other than that, they should do a great job,” the US President said. But his Truth Social post said otherwise The president’s comments appeared to contradict a post he made earlier on Truth Social. “It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a regime change??? MIGA!!!” he wrote. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have all said the US goal is not to remove Iran’s leadership, but to end its nuclear ambitions. “We don’t want to achieve regime change. We want to achieve the end of the Iranian nuclear programme,” Vance told ABC, according to Politico. What regime change in Iran would mean Regime change would involve removing the Islamic Republic’s leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, potentially leading to the collapse of the political system established after the 1979 revolution. The last time the US played a role in changing Iran’s leadership was in 1953, when the CIA backed a coup against Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh.

Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have all said the US goal is not to remove Iran’s leadership, but to end its nuclear ambitions.

'Don’t want to see chaos': Trump says ‘no’ to regime change in Iran, despite calling for it days earlier

Tensions are rising, and several major US military bases across the Middle East are now on high alert. 

Tensions are rising, and several major US military bases across the Middle East are now on high alert.&nbsp;

Operation Basharat al-Fath: 5 US Army bases that are under immediate threat of attack by Iran after airstrikes on Qatar

When did the B-2 first make its presence felt in active warfare? The moment came in 1999, during NATO’s campaign in Kosovo. Here’s a breakdown of what happened, along with the long-standing question: did it deliver depleted uranium munitions?

When did the B-2 first make its presence felt in active warfare? The moment came in 1999, during NATO’s campaign in Kosovo. Here’s a breakdown of what happened, along with the long-standing question: did it deliver depleted uranium munitions?

Did US use B-2 bomber to drop depleted uranium in Kosovo War?

Iranian state media reported on Friday said that Tehran's naval flotilla briefly seized two American military unmanned research vessels in the Red Sea.

While carrying out a counter-terrorism mission, the Iranian navy's "Jamaran destroyer encountered several American military unmanned research vessels on the international shipping route".

Issuing a justification, Iran's state broadcaster said "After securing the passage of international shipping, the flotilla released the two vessels in a safe area."

After a US Navy patrol boat and helicopter were deployed to the location, the American military drone vessel was released, according to the Pentagon.

The seven-metre (23-foot) Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel was towed by a support ship from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy as per the US Central Command.

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Citing a statement by the navy, the state news agency IRNA reported that had foiled a pirate attack on an Iranian merchant vessel in the area.

Adding that the invading boat "left the area" after the escort flotilla, it said a squadron had come into confrontation with the "pirates in the Red Sea".

Following a help request by an Iranian ship in the Red Sea, the same flotilla had thwarted an overnight attack on another vessel belonging to the Islamic republic as per Rear Admiral Mustafa Tajeddini.

The incident comes as the US and Iran are trying to revive a nuclear deal from which former President Donald Trump had withdrawn in 2018.

Although Western nations and international inspectors say Tehran had a military nuclear programme up until 2003, Iran has maintained its programme is peaceful.

After a wave of attacks by Somalia-based pirates between 2000 and 2011, Iran stepped up its naval presence in the Gulf of Aden as it is dependent on the shipping lane through the Red Sea and Suez Canal.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Iranian state media reported on Friday said that Tehran's naval flotilla briefly seized two American military unmanned research vessels in the Red Sea. While carrying out a counter-terrorism mission, the Iranian navy's "Jamaran destroyer encountered several American military unmanned research vessels on the international shipping route".

Iranian state media reported on Friday said that Tehran's naval flotilla briefly seized two American military unmanned research vessels in the Red Sea. While carrying out a counter-terrorism mission, the Iranian navy's "Jamaran destroyer encountered several American military unmanned research vessels on the international shipping route". Issuing a justification, Iran's state broadcaster said "After securing the passage of international shipping, the flotilla released the two vessels in a safe area." After a US Navy patrol boat and helicopter were deployed to the location, the American military drone vessel was released, according to the Pentagon. The seven-metre (23-foot) Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel was towed by a support ship from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy as per the US Central Command. × Citing a statement by the navy, the state news agency IRNA reported that had foiled a pirate attack on an Iranian merchant vessel in the area. Adding that the invading boat "left the area" after the escort flotilla, it said a squadron had come into confrontation with the "pirates in the Red Sea". Following a help request by an Iranian ship in the Red Sea, the same flotilla had thwarted an overnight attack on another vessel belonging to the Islamic republic as per Rear Admiral Mustafa Tajeddini. The incident comes as the US and Iran are trying to revive a nuclear deal from which former President Donald Trump had withdrawn in 2018. Although Western nations and international inspectors say Tehran had a military nuclear programme up until 2003, Iran has maintained its programme is peaceful. After a wave of attacks by Somalia-based pirates between 2000 and 2011, Iran stepped up its naval presence in the Gulf of Aden as it is dependent on the shipping lane through the Red Sea and Suez Canal. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

United States Navy's two drone vessels seized by Iran in Red Sea amid tensions

A senior Israeli defence official said in a briefing with reporters that defence minister Benny Gantz received "positive hints" from White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan that the US is developing a military option against Iran.

According to the official, "We feel there is a trajectory for deepening and strengthening the capabilities against Iran, and the Americans understand deeply that it will give the Iranians an incentive to be more pragmatic about the nuclear deal and will strengthen their position."

The development comes after Gantz told Sullivan that the US needs to ensure that it retains a viable military option against Iran’s nuclear facilities even if a new deal is reached with the Islamic Republic.

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Emphasising the importance of maintaining and advancing operational capabilities for both defensive and offensive purposes, Gantz said Israel is staunchly opposed to efforts by world powers to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement.

Stressing that the only way Tehran will be more flexible in the negotiations is by a credible military threat, Gantz said Israel will maintain its freedom to act against Iran even if a deal is reached.

Although there is no deadline dictating the Biden administration's decision-making about the nuclear deal with Iran, Tehran has received Washington's response to an EU-drafted final offer for salvaging the 2015 deal.

Calling on the United States to show flexibility to resolve three remaining issues, Iran responded last week with "additional views and considerations".

Focusing on countering Tehran’s malign activity in the Middle East, Gantz welcomed the series of airstrikes by the US military against pro-Iranian militias in Syria in recent days.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A senior Israeli defence official said in a briefing with reporters that defence minister Benny Gantz received "positive hints" from White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan that the US is developing a military option against Iran.

A senior Israeli defence official said in a briefing with reporters that defence minister Benny Gantz received "positive hints" from White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan that the US is developing a military option against Iran. According to the official, "We feel there is a trajectory for deepening and strengthening the capabilities against Iran, and the Americans understand deeply that it will give the Iranians an incentive to be more pragmatic about the nuclear deal and will strengthen their position." The development comes after Gantz told Sullivan that the US needs to ensure that it retains a viable military option against Iran’s nuclear facilities even if a new deal is reached with the Islamic Republic. × Emphasising the importance of maintaining and advancing operational capabilities for both defensive and offensive purposes, Gantz said Israel is staunchly opposed to efforts by world powers to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement. Stressing that the only way Tehran will be more flexible in the negotiations is by a credible military threat, Gantz said Israel will maintain its freedom to act against Iran even if a deal is reached. Although there is no deadline dictating the Biden administration's decision-making about the nuclear deal with Iran, Tehran has received Washington's response to an EU-drafted final offer for salvaging the 2015 deal. Calling on the United States to show flexibility to resolve three remaining issues, Iran responded last week with "additional views and considerations". Focusing on countering Tehran’s malign activity in the Middle East, Gantz welcomed the series of airstrikes by the US military against pro-Iranian militias in Syria in recent days. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

United States hints it is developing military option against Iran after Gantz's visit to Washington: Report

Saeed Khatibzadeh, the spokesman of the Iranian foreign ministry, the crews of two Greek oil tankers it has seized in the Gulf are not under arrest and are in "good health".

According to him the ties between Iran and Greece have ties between the two countries as having "always been based on mutual respect."

In a veiled attack on the US for asking Greece to seize the crude oil cargo of an Iranian-flagged tanker, Khatibzadeh said the ties between Tehran and Athens "must not be hampered by deeply shortsighted miscalculations, including highway robbery on the command of a third party".

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The Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of Iran's military, had previously warned the United States that it would take "punitive action" following a “judicial intervention by US authorities concerning the ship’s cargo”.

Iran's Ports and Maritime Organisation said in a statement, "The crew of the two Greek tankers have not been arrested, and all crew members ... are in good health and are being protected, and provided with necessary services while on board, in accordance with international law."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tit-for-tat-iran-flares-tensions-after-seizing-two-greek-oil-tankers-in-persian-gulf-482765" hreflang="en">Tit-for-tat: Iran flares tensions after seizing two Greek oil tankers in Persian Gulf</a>

Slamming the "tantamount to acts of piracy", Greece had condemned Tehran's detention of the two ships.

According to the Greek foreign ministry, among the crew members of the two ships, nine of them are Greek citizens.

Comparing the seizing of its tankers to sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, Greece said Iranian navy helicopters had landed gunmen on the two tankers.

In 2018, the US had reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran's lucrative oil exports after former US President Donald Trump pulled out of a nuclear agreement between Tehran and major powers.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Saeed Khatibzadeh, the spokesman of the Iranian foreign ministry, the crews of two Greek oil tankers it has seized in the Gulf are not under arrest and are in "good health".

Saeed Khatibzadeh, the spokesman of the Iranian foreign ministry, the crews of two Greek oil tankers it has seized in the Gulf are not under arrest and are in "good health". According to him the ties between Iran and Greece have ties between the two countries as having "always been based on mutual respect." In a veiled attack on the US for asking Greece to seize the crude oil cargo of an Iranian-flagged tanker, Khatibzadeh said the ties between Tehran and Athens "must not be hampered by deeply shortsighted miscalculations, including highway robbery on the command of a third party". The Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of Iran's military, had previously warned the United States that it would take "punitive action" following a “judicial intervention by US authorities concerning the ship’s cargo”. Iran's Ports and Maritime Organisation said in a statement, "The crew of the two Greek tankers have not been arrested, and all crew members ... are in good health and are being protected, and provided with necessary services while on board, in accordance with international law." Also read | Tit-for-tat: Iran flares tensions after seizing two Greek oil tankers in Persian Gulf Slamming the "tantamount to acts of piracy", Greece had condemned Tehran's detention of the two ships. According to the Greek foreign ministry, among the crew members of the two ships, nine of them are Greek citizens. Comparing the seizing of its tankers to sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, Greece said Iranian navy helicopters had landed gunmen on the two tankers. In 2018, the US had reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran's lucrative oil exports after former US President Donald Trump pulled out of a nuclear agreement between Tehran and major powers. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran's foreign ministry says crews of seized Greek tankers not arrested, 'in good health'

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani has slammed the Western powers for playing a blame game over the 2015 nuclear deal.

According to him, "Some actors persist in their blame game habit, instead of real diplomacy. We proposed our ideas early, and worked constructively and flexibly to narrow gaps."

"Diplomacy is a two-way street. If there's a real will to remedy the culprit's wrongdoing, the way for a quick, good deal will be paved," he added.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-has-iran-been-doing-after-us-left-landmark-nuclear-deal-433617">How has Iran been doing after US left landmark nuclear deal?</a>

Kani highlighted that "time is running out" and the pact will become "an empty shell" without progress in negotiations.

The 2015 agreement ensured sanctions relief in return for tight curbs on Iran's nuclear programme, which was put under extensive UN monitoring.

Former US President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the accord in 2018. US President Joe Biden restarted negotiations for Washington's return&nbsp;after the election of hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-prepares-for-space-launch-at-imam-khomeini-spaceport-suggest-satellite-images-expert-436529">Also read |&nbsp;Iran prepares for space launch at Imam Khomeini Spaceport, suggest satellite images, expert</a>

"The two parties are at the point of agreeing on the matters which should be on the agenda," Kani said.

"It's a positive and important evolution since, at the start, they weren't even in agreement on the issues to negotiate."

Iran claims it only wants to develop a civilian capability but Western powers say its stockpile of enriched uranium goes well beyond that, and could be used to develop a nuclear weapon.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Washington continues to pursue diplomacy with Iran because "it remains, at this moment, the best option", but added that it was "actively engaging with allies and partners on alternatives".

Chances of an agreement between the arch-foes seem remote as significant gaps still remain between the nations on some key issues, such as the speed and scope of lifting sanctions and how and when Iran will reverse its nuclear steps.

With&nbsp;Israel pushing for a tough policy if diplomacy fails to rein in Iran’s nuclear work, stakes are&nbsp;are high as failure in the negotiations would carry the risk of a new regional war.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani has slammed the Western powers for playing a blame game over the 2015 nuclear deal. According to him, "Some actors persist in their blame game habit, instead of real diplomacy.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani has slammed the Western powers for playing a blame game over the 2015 nuclear deal. According to him, "Some actors persist in their blame game habit, instead of real diplomacy. We proposed our ideas early, and worked constructively and flexibly to narrow gaps." "Diplomacy is a two-way street. If there's a real will to remedy the culprit's wrongdoing, the way for a quick, good deal will be paved," he added. Also see | How has Iran been doing after US left landmark nuclear deal? Kani highlighted that "time is running out" and the pact will become "an empty shell" without progress in negotiations. The 2015 agreement ensured sanctions relief in return for tight curbs on Iran's nuclear programme, which was put under extensive UN monitoring. Former US President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the accord in 2018. US President Joe Biden restarted negotiations for Washington's return after the election of hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi. Also read | Iran prepares for space launch at Imam Khomeini Spaceport, suggest satellite images, expert "The two parties are at the point of agreeing on the matters which should be on the agenda," Kani said. "It's a positive and important evolution since, at the start, they weren't even in agreement on the issues to negotiate." Iran claims it only wants to develop a civilian capability but Western powers say its stockpile of enriched uranium goes well beyond that, and could be used to develop a nuclear weapon. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Washington continues to pursue diplomacy with Iran because "it remains, at this moment, the best option", but added that it was "actively engaging with allies and partners on alternatives". Chances of an agreement between the arch-foes seem remote as significant gaps still remain between the nations on some key issues, such as the speed and scope of lifting sanctions and how and when Iran will reverse its nuclear steps. With Israel pushing for a tough policy if diplomacy fails to rein in Iran’s nuclear work, stakes are are high as failure in the negotiations would carry the risk of a new regional war. (With inputs from agencies)

'Diplomacy is a two-way street': Iran slams West for playing blame game over 2015 nuclear deal

Iran this week is to resume nuclear negotiations with world powers that have been suspended since June, an Iranian lawmaker said Sunday, but there was no immediate confirmation from the EU hosts.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-talks-with-eu-on-nuclear-deal-iran-tests-anti-missile-defences-420489">Also Read:&nbsp;Ahead of talks with EU on nuclear deal, Iran tests anti-missile defences</a>

Foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that "talks with the 4+1 Group will restart on Thursday in Brussels", MP Ahmad Alirezabeigui told the ultraconservative news agency Fars after a closed-door session with the minister.

The lawmaker was referring to four UN Security Council permanent members -- Britain, China, France and Russia -- along with Germany.

Iran and the&nbsp;five nations opened talks in Vienna in April with the European Union also attending, while the United States has taken part in indirect negotiations.

The United States, China, Russia, Germany, France and Britain struck an accord in Vienna with Iran on its nuclear programme in 2015.

Former president Donald Trump had pulled the US out of the deal in 2018 and reimposed biting sanctions.

Since then, Tehran -- which insists its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only -- has also retreated from many of its commitments under the accord.

Trump's successor Joe Biden has said he is ready to return to the agreement if the Islamic republic re-adheres to its nuclear commitments.

The Vienna talks aimed at reviving the deal were suspended in June, when Iran elected ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi as president.

EU envoy Enrique Mora was in Tehran Thursday to press for a firm date for resuming talks.

Tehran said following the discussions that Iran and the EU had agreed to hold further dialogue in Brussels within days.

The EU's diplomatic chief Josep Borrell said Friday he was "ready" to meet Iranian leaders in Brussels as part of efforts to revive the faltering deal.

But a spokesperson for Borrell was unable to confirm "if and when" a meeting in Brussels would place.

"The goal remains to resume negotiations in Vienna as quickly as possible," the spokesperson said.

Another Iranian lawmaker, Behrouz Mohebbi Najmabadi, said on Twitter Sunday that negotiations would resume "this week".

Iran this week is to resume nuclear negotiations with world powers that have been suspended since June, an Iranian lawmaker said Sunday, but there was no immediate confirmation from the EU hosts.

Iran this week is to resume nuclear negotiations with world powers that have been suspended since June, an Iranian lawmaker said Sunday, but there was no immediate confirmation from the EU hosts. Also Read: Ahead of talks with EU on nuclear deal, Iran tests anti-missile defences Foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that "talks with the 4+1 Group will restart on Thursday in Brussels", MP Ahmad Alirezabeigui told the ultraconservative news agency Fars after a closed-door session with the minister. The lawmaker was referring to four UN Security Council permanent members -- Britain, China, France and Russia -- along with Germany. Iran and the five nations opened talks in Vienna in April with the European Union also attending, while the United States has taken part in indirect negotiations. The United States, China, Russia, Germany, France and Britain struck an accord in Vienna with Iran on its nuclear programme in 2015. Former president Donald Trump had pulled the US out of the deal in 2018 and reimposed biting sanctions. Since then, Tehran -- which insists its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only -- has also retreated from many of its commitments under the accord. Trump's successor Joe Biden has said he is ready to return to the agreement if the Islamic republic re-adheres to its nuclear commitments. The Vienna talks aimed at reviving the deal were suspended in June, when Iran elected ultraconservative Ebrahim Raisi as president. EU envoy Enrique Mora was in Tehran Thursday to press for a firm date for resuming talks. Tehran said following the discussions that Iran and the EU had agreed to hold further dialogue in Brussels within days. The EU's diplomatic chief Josep Borrell said Friday he was "ready" to meet Iranian leaders in Brussels as part of efforts to revive the faltering deal. But a spokesperson for Borrell was unable to confirm "if and when" a meeting in Brussels would place. "The goal remains to resume negotiations in Vienna as quickly as possible," the spokesperson said. Another Iranian lawmaker, Behrouz Mohebbi Najmabadi, said on Twitter Sunday that negotiations would resume "this week".

Iran to resume nuclear negotiations, says lawmaker

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that the outgoing government's experience of engaging with world powers including the United States shows that "trusting the West does not work".

"Future generations should use this experience. It was made clear during this government that trusting the West does not work," Khamenei told outgoing President Hassan Rouhani and cabinet members, his official website reported.

Earlier, the&nbsp;American authorities seized a range of Iran’s state-linked news website domains they accused of spreading disinformation, the US&nbsp;Justice Department said, a move that appeared to be a far-reaching crackdown on Iranian media amid heightened tensions between the two countries.

The takedowns come as world powers scramble to resurrect Tehran’s tattered 2015 nuclear deal and just days before&nbsp;Rouhani&nbsp;will hand over the presidency to hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi on August&nbsp;5.

Like&nbsp;Khamenei, Raisi has backed indirect talks between Tehran and Washington aimed at bringing back the arch-foes into full compliance with the accord. Trump quit the deal three years ago, saying it was biased in favour of Iran, and reimposed crippling sanctions on Tehran.

The sixth round of nuclear talks in Vienna adjourned on June 20. The next round of the talks has yet to be scheduled, and Iranian and Western officials have said that significant gaps still remain to be resolved.

Relations between Iran and the US&nbsp;have deteriorated for years following President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from Tehran’s nuclear deal and the return of devastating sanctions on the country. That decision has seen Iran, over time, gradually abandon every limit on uranium enrichment.

The country is now enriching uranium to 60 per cent, its highest level ever, though still short of weapons-grade levels.

Iran provides support to militant groups in the region, such as Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, as it seeks to wield its influence far afield and counter its foes.

Trump blacklisted dozens of institutions vital to Iran's economy using laws designed to punish foreign actors for supporting terrorism or weapons proliferation.

Removing oil and financial sanctions is essential if Iran is to export its oil, the top prize for Tehran for complying with the nuclear agreement and reining in its atomic program.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali&nbsp;Khamenei, not the president, has the last say on all state matters such as nuclear policy.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that the outgoing government's experience of engaging with world powers including the United States shows that "trusting the West does not work".

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that the outgoing government's experience of engaging with world powers including the United States shows that "trusting the West does not work". "Future generations should use this experience. It was made clear during this government that trusting the West does not work," Khamenei told outgoing President Hassan Rouhani and cabinet members, his official website reported. Earlier, the American authorities seized a range of Iran’s state-linked news website domains they accused of spreading disinformation, the US Justice Department said, a move that appeared to be a far-reaching crackdown on Iranian media amid heightened tensions between the two countries. The takedowns come as world powers scramble to resurrect Tehran’s tattered 2015 nuclear deal and just days before Rouhani will hand over the presidency to hardline cleric Ebrahim Raisi on August 5. Like Khamenei, Raisi has backed indirect talks between Tehran and Washington aimed at bringing back the arch-foes into full compliance with the accord. Trump quit the deal three years ago, saying it was biased in favour of Iran, and reimposed crippling sanctions on Tehran. The sixth round of nuclear talks in Vienna adjourned on June 20. The next round of the talks has yet to be scheduled, and Iranian and Western officials have said that significant gaps still remain to be resolved. Relations between Iran and the US have deteriorated for years following President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from Tehran’s nuclear deal and the return of devastating sanctions on the country. That decision has seen Iran, over time, gradually abandon every limit on uranium enrichment. The country is now enriching uranium to 60 per cent, its highest level ever, though still short of weapons-grade levels. Iran provides support to militant groups in the region, such as Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, as it seeks to wield its influence far afield and counter its foes. Trump blacklisted dozens of institutions vital to Iran's economy using laws designed to punish foreign actors for supporting terrorism or weapons proliferation. Removing oil and financial sanctions is essential if Iran is to export its oil, the top prize for Tehran for complying with the nuclear agreement and reining in its atomic program. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, not the president, has the last say on all state matters such as nuclear policy. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran's supreme leader says experience shows 'trusting West does not work'

Iran&nbsp;rejected as "ridiculous and baseless" the United States' claim of Tehran's involvement in plotting to kidnap a New York journalist and human rights activist who was critical of the Islamic Republic,&nbsp;Iranian state media reported on Wednesday.

"This new claim by the US&nbsp;government ... is so baseless and ridiculous that it is not really worth answering," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh.

A Justice Department indictment unsealed on Tuesday showed that US&nbsp;prosecutors have charged four&nbsp;Iranians, alleged to be intelligence operatives for Tehran, with plotting to kidnap the activist. The indictment did not name the target of the plot, but Reuters has confirmed that she is&nbsp;Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad.

"This is not the first time that the United States has undertaken such Hollywood scenarios," Khatibzadeh said.

Iran's intelligence services have in the past detained opposition figures and journalists abroad, including the 2020 arrest of Jamshid Sharmahd, a US-based leader of a pro-monarchist group whom Tehran accused of being behind a deadly 2008 bombing and of plotting other attacks.

Iran&nbsp;did not say how or where Sharmahd, who is in jail in&nbsp;Iran, was detained.

In October 2019,&nbsp;Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards Corps said it had trapped Paris-based dissident journalist Ruhollah Zam in a “complex operation using intelligence deception”. It did not say where the operation took place.

Zam, who was convicted of fomenting violence during anti-government protests in 2017, was executed in&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;in 2020.

Iran rejected as "ridiculous and baseless" the United States' claim of Tehran's involvement in plotting to kidnap a New York journalist and human rights activist who was critical of the Islamic Republic, Iranian state media reported on Wednesday.

Iran rejected as "ridiculous and baseless" the United States' claim of Tehran's involvement in plotting to kidnap a New York journalist and human rights activist who was critical of the Islamic Republic, Iranian state media reported on Wednesday. "This new claim by the US government ... is so baseless and ridiculous that it is not really worth answering," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh. A Justice Department indictment unsealed on Tuesday showed that US prosecutors have charged four Iranians, alleged to be intelligence operatives for Tehran, with plotting to kidnap the activist. The indictment did not name the target of the plot, but Reuters has confirmed that she is Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad. "This is not the first time that the United States has undertaken such Hollywood scenarios," Khatibzadeh said. Iran's intelligence services have in the past detained opposition figures and journalists abroad, including the 2020 arrest of Jamshid Sharmahd, a US-based leader of a pro-monarchist group whom Tehran accused of being behind a deadly 2008 bombing and of plotting other attacks. Iran did not say how or where Sharmahd, who is in jail in Iran, was detained. In October 2019, Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards Corps said it had trapped Paris-based dissident journalist Ruhollah Zam in a “complex operation using intelligence deception”. It did not say where the operation took place. Zam, who was convicted of fomenting violence during anti-government protests in 2017, was executed in Iran in 2020.

US claim on plot to kidnap journalist ridiculous: Iran

Iranian President Hassan&nbsp;Rouhani&nbsp;said on Thursday that the United States was ready to lift sanctions on his country's oil, banking and shipping sectors that were reimposed after former US&nbsp;President Donald Trump exited a 2015 nuclear deal three years ago.

Iran and world powers have been in talks since April on reviving the deal and the EU official leading the discussions said on Wednesday he was confident a deal would be reached.

But European diplomats said success was not guaranteed and very difficult issues remained, while a senior Iranian official contradicted the president.

"The talks in Vienna are about minor issues. They have accepted to lift sanctions on Iran's oil and shipping sectors as well as sanctions on the Central Bank and others," President Hassan&nbsp;Rouhani&nbsp;said during a televised cabinet meeting.

Rouhani&nbsp;was speaking a few weeks ahead of Iran's presidential election, in which the revival of the nuclear accord could boost moderate candidates close to him.

Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018, prompting Iran to steadily overstep the accord’s limits on its nuclear programme designed to make it harder to develop an atomic bomb,&nbsp;an ambition Tehran denies.

Iran's top nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi said on Wednesday that some "key issues" needed to be discussed further.

And a senior Iranian official told the country's Press TV that Washington had no intention to "completely lift any sanctions on the oil, banking, finance and energy sectors".

"Washington intends to temporarily suspend some of the sanctions over a long period of time and in various steps," said the official, who was not identified by the station run by hardliners and which is close to the Revolutionary Guards.

Oil prices were on course for a third day of losses on Thursday after diplomats said progress was made towards a deal to lift sanctions on Iran, which could boost crude supply.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday that the United States was ready to lift sanctions on his country's oil, banking and shipping sectors that were reimposed after former US President Donald Trump exited a 2015 nuclear deal three years ago.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday that the United States was ready to lift sanctions on his country's oil, banking and shipping sectors that were reimposed after former US President Donald Trump exited a 2015 nuclear deal three years ago. Iran and world powers have been in talks since April on reviving the deal and the EU official leading the discussions said on Wednesday he was confident a deal would be reached. But European diplomats said success was not guaranteed and very difficult issues remained, while a senior Iranian official contradicted the president. "The talks in Vienna are about minor issues. They have accepted to lift sanctions on Iran's oil and shipping sectors as well as sanctions on the Central Bank and others," President Hassan Rouhani said during a televised cabinet meeting. Rouhani was speaking a few weeks ahead of Iran's presidential election, in which the revival of the nuclear accord could boost moderate candidates close to him. Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018, prompting Iran to steadily overstep the accord’s limits on its nuclear programme designed to make it harder to develop an atomic bomb, an ambition Tehran denies. Iran's top nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi said on Wednesday that some "key issues" needed to be discussed further. And a senior Iranian official told the country's Press TV that Washington had no intention to "completely lift any sanctions on the oil, banking, finance and energy sectors". "Washington intends to temporarily suspend some of the sanctions over a long period of time and in various steps," said the official, who was not identified by the station run by hardliners and which is close to the Revolutionary Guards. Oil prices were on course for a third day of losses on Thursday after diplomats said progress was made towards a deal to lift sanctions on Iran, which could boost crude supply.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says US is ready to lift sanctions

The Iranian government has said that an investigation has been ordered into the "conspiracy" of leaked audio in which Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) are too influential in diplomacy.

President Hassan Rouhani ordered the investigation to identify who leaked the "stolen" three-hour-long recording by top diplomat and member of his moderate government Mohammad Javad Zarif, the spokesman said.

The tape, which comes ahead of presidential elections in June, has dominated the discussion in the Islamic republic since its publication by media outlets outside Iran on Sunday.

"We believe this theft of documents is a conspiracy against the government, the system, the integrity of effective domestic institutions, and also against our national interests," government spokesman Ali Rabiei told reporters.

"The president has ordered the intelligence ministry to identify the agents of this conspiracy," he added.

The file was "stolen for clear reasons", he said, without elaborating further.

Foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh did not deny the authenticity of the recording but said on Monday that it was cut from a seven-hour interview that included "personal opinions".

Zarif did not comment on the controversy, but published on Tuesday a brief audio message on Instagram, saying "I believe you should not work for history... I say that don't worry about history so much, but worry about God and the people".

He did not specify when he recorded this message.

The leaked remarks sparked harsh criticism from conservative media and politicians, with the mention of Iran's slain general Qasem Soleimani hitting a nerve.

Soleimani, considered one of the prominent architects of Iranian regional policy, was killed early last year in an American drone strike in Baghdad, ordered by former US President Donald Trump.

The leak and probe come ahead of presidential elections on June 18, which will see the moderate Rouhani step down after two terms in office and after conservatives fared well in parliamentary elections last year.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Iranian government has said that an investigation has been ordered into the "conspiracy" of leaked audio in which Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) are too influential in diplomacy.

The Iranian government has said that an investigation has been ordered into the "conspiracy" of leaked audio in which Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) are too influential in diplomacy. President Hassan Rouhani ordered the investigation to identify who leaked the "stolen" three-hour-long recording by top diplomat and member of his moderate government Mohammad Javad Zarif, the spokesman said. The tape, which comes ahead of presidential elections in June, has dominated the discussion in the Islamic republic since its publication by media outlets outside Iran on Sunday. "We believe this theft of documents is a conspiracy against the government, the system, the integrity of effective domestic institutions, and also against our national interests," government spokesman Ali Rabiei told reporters. "The president has ordered the intelligence ministry to identify the agents of this conspiracy," he added. The file was "stolen for clear reasons", he said, without elaborating further. Foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh did not deny the authenticity of the recording but said on Monday that it was cut from a seven-hour interview that included "personal opinions". Zarif did not comment on the controversy, but published on Tuesday a brief audio message on Instagram, saying "I believe you should not work for history... I say that don't worry about history so much, but worry about God and the people". He did not specify when he recorded this message. The leaked remarks sparked harsh criticism from conservative media and politicians, with the mention of Iran's slain general Qasem Soleimani hitting a nerve. Soleimani, considered one of the prominent architects of Iranian regional policy, was killed early last year in an American drone strike in Baghdad, ordered by former US President Donald Trump. The leak and probe come ahead of presidential elections on June 18, which will see the moderate Rouhani step down after two terms in office and after conservatives fared well in parliamentary elections last year. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani  orders probe into leaked audio 'conspiracy'

Iran on Monday insisted that the United States should&nbsp;lift sanctions first to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers that former President Donald Trump abandoned.

President Joe Biden has said Washington is ready for talks about both nations resuming compliance with the pact, under which Tehran secured an easing of sanctions by limiting its nuclear work. But each side wants the other to move first.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-rejects-nuclear-deal-talks-says-time-not-suitable-367126/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The West fears&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;wants to build nuclear weapons, while Tehran says that has never been its goal.

"President Joe Biden's administration should change Trump's maximum pressure policy towards Tehran ... If they want talks with&nbsp;Iran, first they should lift sanctions," Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said.

Washington said on Sunday it was disappointed by Tehran's refusal to hold talks but was ready to "re-engage in meaningful diplomacy" and would consult with major powers.

While&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;has been demanding the lifting of US&nbsp;sanctions first, Washington says Tehran must return to compliance with the deal, which&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;has been progressively breaching since 2019.

"The new US administration's refusal to return to the deal is a historic mistake," Khatibzadeh said, saying Tehran would continue to work with the U.N. nuclear watchdog despite scaling back cooperation.

Iran's foreign minister urged the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) 35-nation Board of Governors not to "create a mess" by endorsing a US-led push to adopt a resolution against Tehran's decision to scale back its cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog.

"Europeans, with the backing of the United States, have initiated a wrong path in the IAEA's board ... we believe this move will lead to a mess,"&nbsp;Iranian media quoted Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying on Monday. "We have solutions for all scenarios."

The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog appealed Monday for its inspection work in Iran not to become a "bargaining chip" as world powers mull negotiations to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/striking-throughout-the-region-israel-pm-netanyahu-blames-iran-for-vessel-blast-in-gulf-of-oman-367110" hreflang="en">'Striking throughout the region': Israel PM Netanyahu blames Iran for vessel blast in Gulf of Oman</a>

"The inspection work of the IAEA must be preserved... (it) should not be put in the middle of a negotiating table as a bargaining chip," International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi told a press conference at the start of the agency's quarterly meeting of its board of governors.

On February 23, Iran suspended some IAEA inspections in response to the US refusal so far to lift sanctions imposed by former President Donald Trump.

Grossi described the suspension of those inspections as a "huge loss", but when asked if the agency could still reassure the international community that the Iranian nuclear programme was exclusively peaceful, he replied: "So far, so good."

Grossi said the IAEA would continue to have the means to verify the amount of uranium enriched by Iran.

On February 21 Grossi announced after two days of talks with Iranian officials in Tehran that Iran and the IAEA had struck an interim three-month deal to mitigate the impact of the suspended inspections.

Recordings from monitoring equipment the IAEA installed at Iran's nuclear sites will be kept by Iran for three months and provided to the IAEA if US sanctions are lifted.

European states are considering putting forward a resolution at this week's meeting condemning Iran's decision to suspend some inspections.

Iran has said that the introduction of such a resolution would push it to abandon the temporary agreement with the IAEA.

Grossi refused to be drawn on the utility of a critical resolution.

"My appeal to all is to have constructive discussions and to preserve the work of the agency," Grossi said.

Iran on Monday insisted that the United States should lift sanctions first to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers that former President Donald Trump abandoned.

Iran on Monday insisted that the United States should lift sanctions first to salvage the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers that former President Donald Trump abandoned. President Joe Biden has said Washington is ready for talks about both nations resuming compliance with the pact, under which Tehran secured an easing of sanctions by limiting its nuclear work. But each side wants the other to move first. The West fears Iran wants to build nuclear weapons, while Tehran says that has never been its goal. "President Joe Biden's administration should change Trump's maximum pressure policy towards Tehran ... If they want talks with Iran, first they should lift sanctions," Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said. Washington said on Sunday it was disappointed by Tehran's refusal to hold talks but was ready to "re-engage in meaningful diplomacy" and would consult with major powers. While Iran has been demanding the lifting of US sanctions first, Washington says Tehran must return to compliance with the deal, which Iran has been progressively breaching since 2019. "The new US administration's refusal to return to the deal is a historic mistake," Khatibzadeh said, saying Tehran would continue to work with the U.N. nuclear watchdog despite scaling back cooperation. Iran's foreign minister urged the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) 35-nation Board of Governors not to "create a mess" by endorsing a US-led push to adopt a resolution against Tehran's decision to scale back its cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog. "Europeans, with the backing of the United States, have initiated a wrong path in the IAEA's board ... we believe this move will lead to a mess," Iranian media quoted Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying on Monday. "We have solutions for all scenarios." The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog appealed Monday for its inspection work in Iran not to become a "bargaining chip" as world powers mull negotiations to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Also read: 'Striking throughout the region': Israel PM Netanyahu blames Iran for vessel blast in Gulf of Oman "The inspection work of the IAEA must be preserved... (it) should not be put in the middle of a negotiating table as a bargaining chip," International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi told a press conference at the start of the agency's quarterly meeting of its board of governors. On February 23, Iran suspended some IAEA inspections in response to the US refusal so far to lift sanctions imposed by former President Donald Trump. Grossi described the suspension of those inspections as a "huge loss", but when asked if the agency could still reassure the international community that the Iranian nuclear programme was exclusively peaceful, he replied: "So far, so good." Grossi said the IAEA would continue to have the means to verify the amount of uranium enriched by Iran. On February 21 Grossi announced after two days of talks with Iranian officials in Tehran that Iran and the IAEA had struck an interim three-month deal to mitigate the impact of the suspended inspections. Recordings from monitoring equipment the IAEA installed at Iran's nuclear sites will be kept by Iran for three months and provided to the IAEA if US sanctions are lifted. European states are considering putting forward a resolution at this week's meeting condemning Iran's decision to suspend some inspections. Iran has said that the introduction of such a resolution would push it to abandon the temporary agreement with the IAEA. Grossi refused to be drawn on the utility of a critical resolution. "My appeal to all is to have constructive discussions and to preserve the work of the agency," Grossi said.

Iran insists US lift sanctions first to revive nuclear deal talks

The United States on Monday denounced Iran's plan&nbsp;to step up uranium enrichment as "nuclear extortion,"&nbsp;breaching a 2015 nuclear pact with major powers and possibly complicating efforts by US&nbsp;President-elect Joe Biden to rejoin the deal.

US State Department said, "Iran enriching uranium to 20 per cent at Fordow is a clear attempt to increase its campaign of nuclear extortion, an attempt that will continue to fail."

"We have confidence that the IAEA will monitor and report on any new Iranian nuclear activities," the spokesperson said, referring to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-has-started-enriching-uranium-to-20-confirms-iaea-354461">Iran has started enriching uranium to 20%, confirms IAEA</a>

The enrichment decision,&nbsp;Iran's latest contravention of the accord, coincides with increasing tensions between&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;and the United States in the last days of President Donald Trump's administration.

Tehran started violating the accord in 2019 in a step-by-step response to Trump's withdrawal from it in 2018 and the reimposition of US&nbsp;sanctions lifted under the deal.

The agreement's main aim was to extend the time&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;would need to produce enough fissile material for a nuclear bomb, if it chose to, to at least a year from roughly two to three months. It also lifted international sanctions against Tehran.

"A few minutes ago, the process of producing 20 per cent&nbsp;enriched uranium has started in Fordow enrichment complex," government spokesman Ali Rabiei told&nbsp;Iranian state media.

The UN watchdog confirmed that Iran stepped up the enrichment at its underground Fordow facility in Tehran's biggest breach yet of a 2015 nuclear deal negotiated under former President Barack Obama.

Trump withdrew from the deal and reimposed crippling sanctions in violation of the accord.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said after the enrichment announcement that his country would return to full compliance if all countries do,&nbsp;a signal to Biden to remove sanctions.

Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of&nbsp;Iran's arch-foe Israel, said the move was aimed at developing nuclear weapons and Israel would never allow Tehran to build them.

Tehran's move could hinder efforts to salvage the nuclear pact as its breaches have increasingly worried some of the deal's other parties, which have urged&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;to act responsibly.

However, it could also be accumulating bargaining chips that could be negotiated away in talks with the Biden administration.

Iran&nbsp;had earlier breached the deal's 3.67&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;limit on the purity to which it can enrich uranium, but it had only gone up to 4.5 per cent&nbsp;so far, well short of the 20&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;level and of the 90&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;that is weapons-grade.

US&nbsp;intelligence agencies and the IAEA believe&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;had a secret, coordinated nuclear weapons programme that it halted in 2003.&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;denies ever having had one.

The United States on Monday denounced Iran's plan to step up uranium enrichment as "nuclear extortion," breaching a 2015 nuclear pact with major powers and possibly complicating efforts by US President-elect Joe Biden to rejoin the deal.

The United States on Monday denounced Iran's plan to step up uranium enrichment as "nuclear extortion," breaching a 2015 nuclear pact with major powers and possibly complicating efforts by US President-elect Joe Biden to rejoin the deal. US State Department said, "Iran enriching uranium to 20 per cent at Fordow is a clear attempt to increase its campaign of nuclear extortion, an attempt that will continue to fail." "We have confidence that the IAEA will monitor and report on any new Iranian nuclear activities," the spokesperson said, referring to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Also read: Iran has started enriching uranium to 20%, confirms IAEA The enrichment decision, Iran's latest contravention of the accord, coincides with increasing tensions between Iran and the United States in the last days of President Donald Trump's administration. Tehran started violating the accord in 2019 in a step-by-step response to Trump's withdrawal from it in 2018 and the reimposition of US sanctions lifted under the deal. The agreement's main aim was to extend the time Iran would need to produce enough fissile material for a nuclear bomb, if it chose to, to at least a year from roughly two to three months. It also lifted international sanctions against Tehran. "A few minutes ago, the process of producing 20 per cent enriched uranium has started in Fordow enrichment complex," government spokesman Ali Rabiei told Iranian state media. The UN watchdog confirmed that Iran stepped up the enrichment at its underground Fordow facility in Tehran's biggest breach yet of a 2015 nuclear deal negotiated under former President Barack Obama. Trump withdrew from the deal and reimposed crippling sanctions in violation of the accord. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said after the enrichment announcement that his country would return to full compliance if all countries do, a signal to Biden to remove sanctions. Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Iran's arch-foe Israel, said the move was aimed at developing nuclear weapons and Israel would never allow Tehran to build them. Tehran's move could hinder efforts to salvage the nuclear pact as its breaches have increasingly worried some of the deal's other parties, which have urged Iran to act responsibly. However, it could also be accumulating bargaining chips that could be negotiated away in talks with the Biden administration. Iran had earlier breached the deal's 3.67 per cent limit on the purity to which it can enrich uranium, but it had only gone up to 4.5 per cent so far, well short of the 20 per cent level and of the 90 per cent that is weapons-grade. US intelligence agencies and the IAEA believe Iran had a secret, coordinated nuclear weapons programme that it halted in 2003. Iran denies ever having had one.

'Nuclear extortion': US denounces Iran's plan to step up uranium enrichment

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused the United States on Thursday of aiming to fabricate a "pretext for war" as tensions mount between the two countries.

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Instead of fighting Covid in US, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> &amp; cohorts waste billions to fly B52s &amp; send armadas to OUR region 
 
Intelligence from Iraq indicate plot to FABRICATE pretext for war. 
 
Iran doesn't seek war but will OPENLY &amp; DIRECTLY defend its people, security &amp; vital interests.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) <a href="https://twitter.com/JZarif/status/1344619249214627842?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2020</a></blockquote>
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US President Donald Trump had recently tweeted that the US was hearing "chatter of additional attacks against Americans in Iraq" and warned that "if one American is killed, I will hold&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;responsible. Think it over."

Since mid-November,&nbsp;the United States has sent B-52 bombers on&nbsp;missions in the Persian Gulf three times, including a 30-hour round trip from North Dakota to the Gulf on December 29.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-honours-martyr-soleimani-killed-a-year-ago-by-us-353483">Iran honours 'martyr' Soleimani, killed a year ago by US</a>

Pentagon officials say the military muscle-flexing is meant to warn Tehran off attacking American interests or personnel in the days surrounding the January 3 anniversary of the Trump administration's assassination of the powerful Iranian leader military commander&nbsp;Qasem Soleimani.

Soleimani's killing at age 62 sharply heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, whose decades-old animosity had deepened when Trump withdrew from&nbsp;Iran's nuclear deal and launched a "maximum pressure" campaign to isolate&nbsp;Iran.

Within days,&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;retaliated to the killing of a military leader long deemed untouchable by firing rockets at Iraqi bases housing US forces, which claimed no lives but caused injuries and preceded a tragedy.

&nbsp;

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused the United States on Thursday of aiming to fabricate a "pretext for war" as tensions mount between the two countries.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused the United States on Thursday of aiming to fabricate a "pretext for war" as tensions mount between the two countries. Instead of fighting Covid in US, @realDonaldTrump & cohorts waste billions to fly B52s & send armadas to OUR region Intelligence from Iraq indicate plot to FABRICATE pretext for war. Iran doesn't seek war but will OPENLY & DIRECTLY defend its people, security & vital interests. — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) December 31, 2020 × US President Donald Trump had recently tweeted that the US was hearing "chatter of additional attacks against Americans in Iraq" and warned that "if one American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible. Think it over." Since mid-November, the United States has sent B-52 bombers on missions in the Persian Gulf three times, including a 30-hour round trip from North Dakota to the Gulf on December 29. Also read: Iran honours 'martyr' Soleimani, killed a year ago by US Pentagon officials say the military muscle-flexing is meant to warn Tehran off attacking American interests or personnel in the days surrounding the January 3 anniversary of the Trump administration's assassination of the powerful Iranian leader military commander Qasem Soleimani. Soleimani's killing at age 62 sharply heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, whose decades-old animosity had deepened when Trump withdrew from Iran's nuclear deal and launched a "maximum pressure" campaign to isolate Iran. Within days, Iran retaliated to the killing of a military leader long deemed untouchable by firing rockets at Iraqi bases housing US forces, which claimed no lives but caused injuries and preceded a tragedy.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accuses US of plotting to fabricate war pretext

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday rejected a bill approved by parliament that would have suspended U.N. inspections and boosted uranium enrichment, saying it was "harmful" to diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring the 2015 nuclear deal and easing US&nbsp;sanctions.

The tug-of-war over the bill, which gained momentum after the killing of a prominent Iranian nuclear scientist last month, reflects the rivalry between Rouhani, a relative moderate, and hard-line lawmakers who dominate parliament and favor a more confrontational approach&nbsp;to the West.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-security-council-unlikely-to-act-on-iran-scientist-killing-diplomats-346796">UN Security Council unlikely to act on Iran scientist killing: Diplomats&nbsp;</a>

The bill would have suspended U.N. inspections of&nbsp;Iran's nuclear facilities and to "produce and store 120 kilogrammes per year of uranium enriched to 20 percent"&nbsp;if European nations failed to provide relief from crippling US&nbsp;sanctions on the country's oil and banking sectors. That level falls short of the threshold needed for nuclear weapons but is higher than that required for civilian purposes.

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, Rouhani said his administration, "does not agree with the bill and considers it harmful to the ongoing diplomatic work." He implied the lawmakers were positioning themselves ahead of elections planned for June.

He said there had been speculation in the media that he had not gone to parliament because of the bill.

"Not going to parliament is solely because of (coronavirus) safety guidelines," he said.

The Iranian parliament's backing on Tuesday of a plan to end nuclear inspections after the assassination of the country's top nuclear scientist has met immediate opposition from the government.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-says-israel-used-electronic-devices-to-remotely-kill-nuclear-scientist-346586/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Deputies supported a draft bill "for the lifting of sanctions and protection of the Iranian people's interests", saying they wanted to achieve the objectives of "martyred" scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.

Fakhrizadeh was assassinated on a major road outside Tehran on Friday in a bomb and gun attack that the Islamic republic has blamed on its arch foe Israel.

"The government has explicitly announced that it does not agree with (this) plan" which it considers "neither necessary nor useful", foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told a news conference Tuesday.

Seemingly in response to Israel's characterisation of Fakhrizadeh as the father of a secret nuclear weapons programme, Khatibzadeh said that the scientist had been "one of the main assistants behind the scenes in discussions" that led to the 2015 accord.

State news agency IRNA on Tuesday released undated pictures of Fakhrizadeh&nbsp;being awarded a medal by&nbsp;Iran's President Hassan Rouhani for his "contribution" to the Vienna agreement. &nbsp;

The multilateral accord has been hanging by a thread since 2018, when President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States and reimposed sanctions that have battered&nbsp;Iran's economy.

The Islamic republic has retaliated by gradually rolling back most of its commitments under the nuclear deal.

In its latest report last month, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;had enriched uranium over the 3.67 percent limit set out in the 2015 accord.

The UN's nuclear watchdog said that&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;had not exceeded the threshold of 4.5 percent and that the country was still complying with its strict inspections regime.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday,&nbsp;Iran's government spokesman Ali Rabiei emphasised that the only institution mandated to make decisions on the country's nuclear programme was the Supreme National Security Council.

He also noted that any decisions made by that body require approval by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.&nbsp;

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday rejected a bill approved by parliament that would have suspended U.N. inspections and boosted uranium enrichment, saying it was "harmful" to diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring the 2015 nuclear deal and easing US sanctions.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday rejected a bill approved by parliament that would have suspended U.N. inspections and boosted uranium enrichment, saying it was "harmful" to diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring the 2015 nuclear deal and easing US sanctions. The tug-of-war over the bill, which gained momentum after the killing of a prominent Iranian nuclear scientist last month, reflects the rivalry between Rouhani, a relative moderate, and hard-line lawmakers who dominate parliament and favor a more confrontational approach to the West. Also read| UN Security Council unlikely to act on Iran scientist killing: Diplomats The bill would have suspended U.N. inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities and to "produce and store 120 kilogrammes per year of uranium enriched to 20 percent" if European nations failed to provide relief from crippling US sanctions on the country's oil and banking sectors. That level falls short of the threshold needed for nuclear weapons but is higher than that required for civilian purposes. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, Rouhani said his administration, "does not agree with the bill and considers it harmful to the ongoing diplomatic work." He implied the lawmakers were positioning themselves ahead of elections planned for June. He said there had been speculation in the media that he had not gone to parliament because of the bill. "Not going to parliament is solely because of (coronavirus) safety guidelines," he said. The Iranian parliament's backing on Tuesday of a plan to end nuclear inspections after the assassination of the country's top nuclear scientist has met immediate opposition from the government. Deputies supported a draft bill "for the lifting of sanctions and protection of the Iranian people's interests", saying they wanted to achieve the objectives of "martyred" scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. Fakhrizadeh was assassinated on a major road outside Tehran on Friday in a bomb and gun attack that the Islamic republic has blamed on its arch foe Israel. "The government has explicitly announced that it does not agree with (this) plan" which it considers "neither necessary nor useful", foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh told a news conference Tuesday. Seemingly in response to Israel's characterisation of Fakhrizadeh as the father of a secret nuclear weapons programme, Khatibzadeh said that the scientist had been "one of the main assistants behind the scenes in discussions" that led to the 2015 accord. State news agency IRNA on Tuesday released undated pictures of Fakhrizadeh being awarded a medal by Iran's President Hassan Rouhani for his "contribution" to the Vienna agreement. The multilateral accord has been hanging by a thread since 2018, when President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States and reimposed sanctions that have battered Iran's economy. The Islamic republic has retaliated by gradually rolling back most of its commitments under the nuclear deal. In its latest report last month, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran had enriched uranium over the 3.67 percent limit set out in the 2015 accord. The UN's nuclear watchdog said that Iran had not exceeded the threshold of 4.5 percent and that the country was still complying with its strict inspections regime. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Iran's government spokesman Ali Rabiei emphasised that the only institution mandated to make decisions on the country's nuclear programme was the Supreme National Security Council. He also noted that any decisions made by that body require approval by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says parliament nuclear bill 'harmful'

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that his country will remove&nbsp;Sudan&nbsp;from its list of state sponsors of terrorism as soon as Khartoum sets aside the $335 million it has agreed to pay to American victims of militant attacks and their families.

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GREAT news! New government of Sudan, which is making great progress, agreed to pay $335 MILLION to U.S. terror victims and families. Once deposited, I will lift Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. At long last, JUSTICE for the American people and BIG step for Sudan!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1318251010595303424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The move is being considered&nbsp;a landmark boost for the civilian-backed government as it turns the page on the nation's decades as an international pariah.

Sudan&nbsp;is one of four nations branded by Washington as a state sponsor of terrorism, along with Iran, North Korea, and Syria, severely impeding economic development, with few major foreign investors willing to run afoul of US laws.

Sudan's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism dates to its toppled ruler Omar al-Bashir, who had welcomed Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden as he imposed a brand of political Islamism on the country.

Many in&nbsp;Sudan&nbsp;say the designation, imposed in 1993 because Washington believed Bashir was supporting militant groups, has become outdated since he was removed last year and&nbsp;Sudan&nbsp;has long cooperated on counterterrorism.

The conflict-ridden nation experienced a historic shift last year as Bashir was ousted in the face of youth-led street protests and a civilian-backed transitional government was later installed.

Trump's announcement marks "the strongest support to&nbsp;Sudan's transition to democracy and to the Sudanese people," said Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, a reform-minded economist and face of the government that will rule until 2022 elections.

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that his country will remove Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism as soon as Khartoum sets aside the $335 million it has agreed to pay to American victims of militant attacks and their families.

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that his country will remove Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism as soon as Khartoum sets aside the $335 million it has agreed to pay to American victims of militant attacks and their families. GREAT news! New government of Sudan, which is making great progress, agreed to pay $335 MILLION to U.S. terror victims and families. Once deposited, I will lift Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. At long last, JUSTICE for the American people and BIG step for Sudan! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 19, 2020 × The move is being considered a landmark boost for the civilian-backed government as it turns the page on the nation's decades as an international pariah. Sudan is one of four nations branded by Washington as a state sponsor of terrorism, along with Iran, North Korea, and Syria, severely impeding economic development, with few major foreign investors willing to run afoul of US laws. Sudan's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism dates to its toppled ruler Omar al-Bashir, who had welcomed Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden as he imposed a brand of political Islamism on the country. Many in Sudan say the designation, imposed in 1993 because Washington believed Bashir was supporting militant groups, has become outdated since he was removed last year and Sudan has long cooperated on counterterrorism. The conflict-ridden nation experienced a historic shift last year as Bashir was ousted in the face of youth-led street protests and a civilian-backed transitional government was later installed. Trump's announcement marks "the strongest support to Sudan's transition to democracy and to the Sudanese people," said Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, a reform-minded economist and face of the government that will rule until 2022 elections.

US to delist Sudan from state terrorism sponsors list in exchange of $335 million

&nbsp;Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Friday accused France, Germany and Britain of serving Iran's arch-foes the United States and Israel by drafting a nuclear resolution against Tehran.

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BoG should not allow JCPOA enemies to jeopardize Iran's supreme interests. E3 should not be an accessory, after failing own JCPOA duties 
 
We've nothing to hide. More inspections in Iran over last 5 yrs than in IAEA history 
 
An agreeable solution is possible, but Res will ruin it. <a href="https://t.co/qg9mblIjMy">pic.twitter.com/qg9mblIjMy</a>
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) <a href="https://twitter.com/JZarif/status/1273677894041120774?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"Behind (the) facade, E3 are accessories to (US&nbsp;President Donald) Trump and&nbsp;(Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu and&nbsp;in no position to counsel Iran," Zarif tweeted.

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E3 must stop public face-saving &amp; muster the courage to state publicly what they admit privately: their failure to fulfill even own JCPOA duties due to total impotence in resisting US bullying 
Behind facade, E3 are accessories to Trump &amp; Netanyahu—&amp; in no position to counsel Iran <a href="https://t.co/sdoOBJECeS">pic.twitter.com/sdoOBJECeS</a>
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) <a href="https://twitter.com/JZarif/status/1274048922835718144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The U.N. nuclear watchdog's 35-nation Board of Governors called on Iran in the resolution earlier on Friday to stop denying the agency access to two suspected former nuclear sites and to cooperate fully with it, diplomats attending the meeting said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Friday accused France, Germany and Britain of serving Iran's arch-foes the United States and Israel by drafting a nuclear resolution against Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Friday accused France, Germany and Britain of serving Iran's arch-foes the United States and Israel by drafting a nuclear resolution against Tehran. BoG should not allow JCPOA enemies to jeopardize Iran's supreme interests. E3 should not be an accessory, after failing own JCPOA duties We've nothing to hide. More inspections in Iran over last 5 yrs than in IAEA history An agreeable solution is possible, but Res will ruin it. pic.twitter.com/qg9mblIjMy — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) June 18, 2020 × "Behind (the) facade, E3 are accessories to (US President Donald) Trump and (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu and in no position to counsel Iran," Zarif tweeted. E3 must stop public face-saving & muster the courage to state publicly what they admit privately: their failure to fulfill even own JCPOA duties due to total impotence in resisting US bullying Behind facade, E3 are accessories to Trump & Netanyahu—& in no position to counsel Iran pic.twitter.com/sdoOBJECeS — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) June 19, 2020 × The U.N. nuclear watchdog's 35-nation Board of Governors called on Iran in the resolution earlier on Friday to stop denying the agency access to two suspected former nuclear sites and to cooperate fully with it, diplomats attending the meeting said.

France, Germany, UK 'accessories' to Trump, Netanyahu: Iran Foreign Minister Zarif

Iran's military spokesman on&nbsp;Wednesday said US President Donald Trump should concentrate on "saving" his own country from the "major crisis" caused by coronavirus rather than&nbsp;making threats.

Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesman for&nbsp;Iran's armed forces, said "today, instead of intimidating others, the Americans would do better to save their troops infected by the coronavirus."

"If the US is skilful and competent, they will withdraw their troops (from the Middle East) in order to save (the country) from the coronavirus disease... before mobilising all other forces in the US... to save the people from this major crisis hitting their country," Shekarchi said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/instructed-us-navy-to-shoot-down-iranian-gunboats-if-they-harass-our-ships-at-sea-trump-294036" hreflang="en">Instructed US Navy to shoot Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships: Trump</a>

His comments came after Trump said on Twitter he had "instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea".

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I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1252932181447630848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The Pentagon later said the US military considered the tweet a message to the Iranian regime, suggesting that no new orders had been issued to US Navy ships patrolling the Gulf.

The US Defence Department had accused Iran of "dangerous and provocative" actions in the Gulf. The US department had said that eleven Iran boats had "repeatedly crossed the bows and sterns" of US vessels in international waters.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-due-to-coronavirus-rises-to-5391-in-iran-businesses-open-294039" hreflang="en">Death toll due to coronavirus rises to 5,391 in Iran; businesses open</a>

Iran dismissed the US allegation, saying that it was a "Hollywood account of the encounter" while warning the US that any "miscalculation will receive a decisive response".

The tensions between the two nations have escalated since a US drone strike killed Major General Qasem Soleimani, the former head of the country's elite Quds Force.

However, with the coronavirus sweeping the country Iran has accused the US of hurting it with sanctions at a time when its citizens are suffering.&nbsp;

Iran's military spokesman on Wednesday said US President Donald Trump should concentrate on "saving" his own country from the "major crisis" caused by coronavirus rather than making threats.

Iran's military spokesman on Wednesday said US President Donald Trump should concentrate on "saving" his own country from the "major crisis" caused by coronavirus rather than making threats. Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesman for Iran's armed forces, said "today, instead of intimidating others, the Americans would do better to save their troops infected by the coronavirus." "If the US is skilful and competent, they will withdraw their troops (from the Middle East) in order to save (the country) from the coronavirus disease... before mobilising all other forces in the US... to save the people from this major crisis hitting their country," Shekarchi said. Also read: Instructed US Navy to shoot Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships: Trump His comments came after Trump said on Twitter he had "instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea". I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 22, 2020 × The Pentagon later said the US military considered the tweet a message to the Iranian regime, suggesting that no new orders had been issued to US Navy ships patrolling the Gulf. The US Defence Department had accused Iran of "dangerous and provocative" actions in the Gulf. The US department had said that eleven Iran boats had "repeatedly crossed the bows and sterns" of US vessels in international waters. Also read: Death toll due to coronavirus rises to 5,391 in Iran; businesses open Iran dismissed the US allegation, saying that it was a "Hollywood account of the encounter" while warning the US that any "miscalculation will receive a decisive response". The tensions between the two nations have escalated since a US drone strike killed Major General Qasem Soleimani, the former head of the country's elite Quds Force. However, with the coronavirus sweeping the country Iran has accused the US of hurting it with sanctions at a time when its citizens are suffering.

Iran general takes jibe at Trump, says should focus on saving US from virus

The assassination of Iran’s General Qasem Soleimani by the US and Iran’s retaliation by missile attacks on the US bases in Iraq early January brought the US and Iran on the brink of war. The subsequent decisions of the two countries to show restraint and step back has helped de-escalation, and thereby, defused the situation for the time being. The core issues which form the cause of the US-Iran conflict, however, remain on the table and are far from resolved. &nbsp;

From the US and Europe’s perspective, Iran must give up its plans to develop nuclear weapons and also its interference through proxy wars in Iraq, Yemen, Syria etc. Iran on its part is determined to drive the USA out of the region.&nbsp;

As far as the nuclear issue is concerned, Iran, it may be recalled, had it agreed to put a cap on its nuclear ambitions by signing the Iran Nuclear deal, officially described as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015 with US, Russia, China, France, UK, Germany and EU. President Donald Trump’s decision to walk out of the deal (May 2018) and re-impose severe and crippling sanctions on Iran did not meet the approval of the other countries which are party to the deal, and they remained interested in salvaging the deal somehow. In the wake of the recent crisis triggered by the USA, The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran was reported to have declared that from now on, “Iran’s nuclear program no longer faces any operating restrictions,” but also added that “If the sanctions are lifted and Iran benefits from its interests, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to return to its obligations”. The announcement came after Tehran’s alleged gradual escalation of its nuclear programme in recent months.&nbsp;

France, UK and Germany –three European countries which are also party to the deal- have decided not to respond to the US call for walking out of the deal but have instead invoked the dispute settlement mechanism of the JCPOA to put pressure on Iran and save the deal. While Russia says “we see no reason for this action”, Iran has warned that any misuse of the mechanism would be met with a “serious and strong response”.&nbsp;

It remains to be seen how the situation pans out in the near future. Will the Europeans be able to persuade Iran to return to full compliance of the obligations under the nuclear deal? How will they be able to do so without minimising the impact of the US sanctions? Or will Iran adopt a hard line and stop cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency( IAEA) which is entrusted with the task of monitoring the implementation of the (JCPOA), and even go to the extent of walking out of the deal as well as NPT? Needless to add that any hard-line approach by Iran would have implications not only for Iran’s economy but also the global economy including India. &nbsp;

India has multiple interests in the region which can be hit severely in the event of instability. For instance, India sources significant quantities of oil and gas from the Middle East and armed conflict in the region is bound to adversely impact on oil prices as well supplies due to disruptions in the supply routes; this, in turn, would impact on Indian economy which has registered drop in growth in the recent past. Further, India has invested considerably in the development of Chabahar Port in Iran and any impact on its operations would disrupt India’s connectivity with Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia and beyond, bypassing Pakistan. India may also have to incur significant expenditure on the evacuation of Indians living and working in the Middle East – a region which is a source of substantial revenue from palpable inward remittances into India.&nbsp;

The situation poses a challenge for the foreign policy of India which on the one hand has a strategic partnership with the US and long civilisational links with Iran on the other hand. Iran is also a source of predictable and affordable energy supplies.&nbsp;

Though the Indian side gave no details, the possibility of PM Narendra Modi having discussed the issue during his tele-conversation with President Trump cannot be ruled out as a White House statement said the two leaders also reviewed the “regional security matters”. The External Affairs Minister in his Tweet was more forthcoming to share that he had “highlighted India’s stakes and concerns" during his telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Mike &nbsp;Pompeo.&nbsp;

The Indian leadership also reiterated India’s “Strong interest in peace, security and stability in the region” during the Iranian Foreign Minister’s meetings in New Delhi with External Affairs Minister and Prime Minister, besides having earlier urged all concerned parties-to-the-conflict to exercise restraint. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Neither of the two core issues is likely to be resolved in the foreseeable future, and therefore, a simmering conflict would continue to prevail, threatening the peace and stability in the region with worldwide implications.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The assassination of Iran’s General Qasem Soleimani by the US and Iran’s retaliation by missile attacks on the US bases in Iraq early January brought the US and Iran on the brink of war.

The assassination of Iran’s General Qasem Soleimani by the US and Iran’s retaliation by missile attacks on the US bases in Iraq early January brought the US and Iran on the brink of war. The subsequent decisions of the two countries to show restraint and step back has helped de-escalation, and thereby, defused the situation for the time being. The core issues which form the cause of the US-Iran conflict, however, remain on the table and are far from resolved. From the US and Europe’s perspective, Iran must give up its plans to develop nuclear weapons and also its interference through proxy wars in Iraq, Yemen, Syria etc. Iran on its part is determined to drive the USA out of the region. As far as the nuclear issue is concerned, Iran, it may be recalled, had it agreed to put a cap on its nuclear ambitions by signing the Iran Nuclear deal, officially described as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015 with US, Russia, China, France, UK, Germany and EU. President Donald Trump’s decision to walk out of the deal (May 2018) and re-impose severe and crippling sanctions on Iran did not meet the approval of the other countries which are party to the deal, and they remained interested in salvaging the deal somehow. In the wake of the recent crisis triggered by the USA, The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran was reported to have declared that from now on, “Iran’s nuclear program no longer faces any operating restrictions,” but also added that “If the sanctions are lifted and Iran benefits from its interests, the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to return to its obligations”. The announcement came after Tehran’s alleged gradual escalation of its nuclear programme in recent months. France, UK and Germany –three European countries which are also party to the deal- have decided not to respond to the US call for walking out of the deal but have instead invoked the dispute settlement mechanism of the JCPOA to put pressure on Iran and save the deal. While Russia says “we see no reason for this action”, Iran has warned that any misuse of the mechanism would be met with a “serious and strong response”. It remains to be seen how the situation pans out in the near future. Will the Europeans be able to persuade Iran to return to full compliance of the obligations under the nuclear deal? How will they be able to do so without minimising the impact of the US sanctions? Or will Iran adopt a hard line and stop cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency( IAEA) which is entrusted with the task of monitoring the implementation of the (JCPOA), and even go to the extent of walking out of the deal as well as NPT? Needless to add that any hard-line approach by Iran would have implications not only for Iran’s economy but also the global economy including India. India has multiple interests in the region which can be hit severely in the event of instability. For instance, India sources significant quantities of oil and gas from the Middle East and armed conflict in the region is bound to adversely impact on oil prices as well supplies due to disruptions in the supply routes; this, in turn, would impact on Indian economy which has registered drop in growth in the recent past. Further, India has invested considerably in the development of Chabahar Port in Iran and any impact on its operations would disrupt India’s connectivity with Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia and beyond, bypassing Pakistan. India may also have to incur significant expenditure on the evacuation of Indians living and working in the Middle East – a region which is a source of substantial revenue from palpable inward remittances into India. The situation poses a challenge for the foreign policy of India which on the one hand has a strategic partnership with the US and long civilisational links with Iran on the other hand. Iran is also a source of predictable and affordable energy supplies. Though the Indian side gave no details, the possibility of PM Narendra Modi having discussed the issue during his tele-conversation with President Trump cannot be ruled out as a White House statement said the two leaders also reviewed the “regional security matters”. The External Affairs Minister in his Tweet was more forthcoming to share that he had “highlighted India’s stakes and concerns" during his telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The Indian leadership also reiterated India’s “Strong interest in peace, security and stability in the region” during the Iranian Foreign Minister’s meetings in New Delhi with External Affairs Minister and Prime Minister, besides having earlier urged all concerned parties-to-the-conflict to exercise restraint. Neither of the two core issues is likely to be resolved in the foreseeable future, and therefore, a simmering conflict would continue to prevail, threatening the peace and stability in the region with worldwide implications. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Iran-US conflict: Worst is over, but core issues remain unresolved

Iraqi&nbsp;security&nbsp;forces&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eleven-us-troops-injured-in-january-8-iran-missile-attack-in-iraq-274776">killed</a> at least&nbsp;one&nbsp;protester&nbsp;and&nbsp;wounded&nbsp;25&nbsp;others on Friday when they launched tear gas canisters to break up a crowd trying to breach Baghdad's Sinak bridge,&nbsp;security&nbsp;and medical&nbsp;sources&nbsp;told Reuters.

The bridge is close to the capital's central <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-of-iraqis-rally-against-government-iran-and-us-273470">Tahrir Square</a> where thousands have been camped out for months, with recent clashes causing the authorities to restrict access to the crossing. The&nbsp;protester&nbsp;died after a tear gas canister was launched directly at his neck, the medical&nbsp;sources&nbsp;said.

<img alt="Iraqi demonstrators and tuk-tuk drivers are seen during ongoing anti-government protests" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6a980729-0987-49db-93f7-2a28d4c363ab" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2818%29_1.jpg" /> 
[ Iraqi&nbsp;demonstrators and tuk-tuk drivers are seen during ongoing anti-government protests&nbsp;at the Sinak bridge in Baghdad (Courtesy: Reuters)&nbsp;]

"Saboteurs attacked the barricades in the Sinak bridge area and&nbsp;security&nbsp;forces&nbsp;have been using <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-rockets-hit-iraq-base-hosting-us-troops-military-sources-273824">non-lethal</a> methods to stop them for hours," said a spokesman for the prime minister.

Mass protests have gripped Iraq since October&nbsp;1 and&nbsp;protesters, most of them young, are demanding an overhaul of a political system they see as profoundly corrupt and keeping most&nbsp;Iraqis in poverty. More than 450 people have been&nbsp;killed.

<img alt="Demonstrators stand on a concrete wall during ongoing anti-government protests at Sinak bridge in Baghdad" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3a3f3e2b-1c4a-4478-bc5c-79d86a4b0832" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2816%29_6.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Demonstrators stand on a concrete wall during ongoing anti-government protests at Sinak bridge in Baghdad (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Despite numbers recently dwindling,&nbsp;protesters took to the streets again last week, determined to keep up the momentum of their protests despite attention turning to the threat of a US-Iran conflict after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-iran-tensions-washington-turns-down-iraqi-request-to-remove-troops-273509">Washington</a>&nbsp;killed Tehran's top general in an airstrike inside Iraq.

Gunmen&nbsp;killed two local journalists covering protests last Friday in the southern city of Basra.

Iraqi security forces killed at least one protester and wounded 25 others on Friday when they launched tear gas canisters to break up a crowd trying to breach Baghdad's Sinak bridge, security and medical sources told Reuters.

Iraqi security forces killed at least one protester and wounded 25 others on Friday when they launched tear gas canisters to break up a crowd trying to breach Baghdad's Sinak bridge, security and medical sources told Reuters. The bridge is close to the capital's central Tahrir Square where thousands have been camped out for months, with recent clashes causing the authorities to restrict access to the crossing. The protester died after a tear gas canister was launched directly at his neck, the medical sources said. [ Iraqi demonstrators and tuk-tuk drivers are seen during ongoing anti-government protests at the Sinak bridge in Baghdad (Courtesy: Reuters) ] "Saboteurs attacked the barricades in the Sinak bridge area and security forces have been using non-lethal methods to stop them for hours," said a spokesman for the prime minister. Mass protests have gripped Iraq since October 1 and protesters, most of them young, are demanding an overhaul of a political system they see as profoundly corrupt and keeping most Iraqis in poverty. More than 450 people have been killed. [ Demonstrators stand on a concrete wall during ongoing anti-government protests at Sinak bridge in Baghdad (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Despite numbers recently dwindling, protesters took to the streets again last week, determined to keep up the momentum of their protests despite attention turning to the threat of a US-Iran conflict after Washington killed Tehran's top general in an airstrike inside Iraq. Gunmen killed two local journalists covering protests last Friday in the southern city of Basra.

Iraqi security forces kill one protester, wound 25: Report

Two sets of US government cables suggest that Iran hawks in and outside the Trump administration appear to have the upper hand as European countries give hardliners a helping hand by attempting to force Iran to seek a diplomatic solution to a crisis that threatens to engulf the Middle-East in yet another military conflict.

Disclosure of the cables advocating a military strike such as this month’s killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani coupled with the withdrawal of a US State Department olive branch that was intended to reassure Iran about the Trump administration’s intentions appears designed to persuade the Islamic Republic to back away from its strategy of gradual escalation.

The strategy aims to engineer a situation in which a return to negotiations on the basis of the 2015 international agreement that curbed Iran’s nuclear program is the only way to avoid an all-out war. The Trump administration withdrew from the accord in 2018 and has since imposed ever-harsher economic sanctions on Iran.

Hardliners in Washington believe Iran’s accidental downing of a Ukrainian airliner that sparked anti-government protests days after millions of Iranians came out to mourn Soleimani’s death in what Iranian leaders project as rallying around the regime is a proof of concept of their approach.

The hard-liners’ strategy was spelled out in a series of unclassified memos sent by David Wurmser, a close associate of John Bolton, while Bolton was serving as national security advisor to President Donald J Trump. The memos projected a US military operation on the scale of the killing of Soleimani as a way of destabilising the government in Tehran.

Wurmser’s advice was in line with proposals for destabilising Iran presented to the White House by Bolton in the months before his appointment. Bolton was fired by Trump in September of last year.

“Iran has always been careful to execute its ambitions and aggressive aims incrementally to avoid Western reactions which depart from the expected. In contrast, were unexpected, rule-changing actions taken against Iran, it would confuse the regime. It would need to scramble,” Wurmser wrote.

Such a US attack would “Rattle the delicate internal balance of forces and the control over them upon which the regime depends for stability and survival… Iranians would both be impressed and potentially encouraged by a targeted attack on symbols of repression,” Wurmser added.

The leaking of Wurmser’s memos coincided with a cable from the State Department to US diplomatic missions worldwide that walked back an instruction earlier this month by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to limit contacts with Iranian opposition and exile groups in a bid to reassure Iran that the Trump administration was not seeking regime change in Tehran.

The Pompeo cable seemed to be a first step at bridging the gulf of distrust between Washington and Tehran that makes a resolution of the two countries’ differences all but impossible. Iran has long been convinced that regime change is the main driver of US policy since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Pompeo’s instruction came on the heels of Trump’s decision not to respond to Iranian missile attacks on US forces in Iraq in retaliation for the killing of Soleimani.

With the government in Tehran on the backfoot as a result of the downing of the Ukrainian airliner and renewed anti-government protests, leaders of Britain, France and Germany, cosignatories of the 2015 nuclear accord, appear to be buying into the strategy of the Washington hardliners.

The Europeans, responding to Iran’s gradual withdrawal from its commitments under the accord as part of its strategy of gradual escalation, this week triggered its dispute resolution mechanism, that could put Iran’s actions on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council and lead to a re-imposition of international sanctions.

British prime minister Boris Johnson further raised the stakes by telling the BBC that he would be willing to back an as yet non-existent proposal by Trump for a new agreement with Iran. “If we are going to get rid of it (the nuclear accord), then we need a replacement," Johnson said.

The proof will be in the pudding whether the two-pronged stepping up of US and European pressure on Iran will be sufficient to engineer a breakthrough in efforts to avert escalating tension and a return to the negotiating table.

So far, Iran’s response suggests tensions may have to further escalate before parties, all of whom do not want an all-out war, pull back from the brink.

In a first, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, insisting that all foreign forces should leave the Middle East, warned, in response to the European move and statements, that British, French and German troops may be in danger.

“Today, the American soldier is in danger, tomorrow the European soldier could be in danger,” Rouhani told a Cabinet meeting.

Said a Western diplomat, spelling out European thinking: “This allows us to buy time while making clear to Iran that they cannot continue on this path of non-compliance with no consequences.”

For now, it’s a high stakes poker bet on who blinks first. 
 
 
&nbsp;

(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Two sets of US government cables suggest that Iran hawks in and outside the Trump administration appear to have the upper hand as European countries give hardliners a helping hand by attempting to force Iran to seek a diplomatic solution to a crisis that threatens to engulf the Middle-East in yet another military conflict.

Two sets of US government cables suggest that Iran hawks in and outside the Trump administration appear to have the upper hand as European countries give hardliners a helping hand by attempting to force Iran to seek a diplomatic solution to a crisis that threatens to engulf the Middle-East in yet another military conflict. Disclosure of the cables advocating a military strike such as this month’s killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani coupled with the withdrawal of a US State Department olive branch that was intended to reassure Iran about the Trump administration’s intentions appears designed to persuade the Islamic Republic to back away from its strategy of gradual escalation. The strategy aims to engineer a situation in which a return to negotiations on the basis of the 2015 international agreement that curbed Iran’s nuclear program is the only way to avoid an all-out war. The Trump administration withdrew from the accord in 2018 and has since imposed ever-harsher economic sanctions on Iran. Hardliners in Washington believe Iran’s accidental downing of a Ukrainian airliner that sparked anti-government protests days after millions of Iranians came out to mourn Soleimani’s death in what Iranian leaders project as rallying around the regime is a proof of concept of their approach. The hard-liners’ strategy was spelled out in a series of unclassified memos sent by David Wurmser, a close associate of John Bolton, while Bolton was serving as national security advisor to President Donald J Trump. The memos projected a US military operation on the scale of the killing of Soleimani as a way of destabilising the government in Tehran. Wurmser’s advice was in line with proposals for destabilising Iran presented to the White House by Bolton in the months before his appointment. Bolton was fired by Trump in September of last year. “Iran has always been careful to execute its ambitions and aggressive aims incrementally to avoid Western reactions which depart from the expected. In contrast, were unexpected, rule-changing actions taken against Iran, it would confuse the regime. It would need to scramble,” Wurmser wrote. Such a US attack would “Rattle the delicate internal balance of forces and the control over them upon which the regime depends for stability and survival… Iranians would both be impressed and potentially encouraged by a targeted attack on symbols of repression,” Wurmser added. The leaking of Wurmser’s memos coincided with a cable from the State Department to US diplomatic missions worldwide that walked back an instruction earlier this month by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to limit contacts with Iranian opposition and exile groups in a bid to reassure Iran that the Trump administration was not seeking regime change in Tehran. The Pompeo cable seemed to be a first step at bridging the gulf of distrust between Washington and Tehran that makes a resolution of the two countries’ differences all but impossible. Iran has long been convinced that regime change is the main driver of US policy since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Pompeo’s instruction came on the heels of Trump’s decision not to respond to Iranian missile attacks on US forces in Iraq in retaliation for the killing of Soleimani. With the government in Tehran on the backfoot as a result of the downing of the Ukrainian airliner and renewed anti-government protests, leaders of Britain, France and Germany, cosignatories of the 2015 nuclear accord, appear to be buying into the strategy of the Washington hardliners. The Europeans, responding to Iran’s gradual withdrawal from its commitments under the accord as part of its strategy of gradual escalation, this week triggered its dispute resolution mechanism, that could put Iran’s actions on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council and lead to a re-imposition of international sanctions. British prime minister Boris Johnson further raised the stakes by telling the BBC that he would be willing to back an as yet non-existent proposal by Trump for a new agreement with Iran. “If we are going to get rid of it (the nuclear accord), then we need a replacement," Johnson said. The proof will be in the pudding whether the two-pronged stepping up of US and European pressure on Iran will be sufficient to engineer a breakthrough in efforts to avert escalating tension and a return to the negotiating table. So far, Iran’s response suggests tensions may have to further escalate before parties, all of whom do not want an all-out war, pull back from the brink. In a first, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, insisting that all foreign forces should leave the Middle East, warned, in response to the European move and statements, that British, French and German troops may be in danger. “Today, the American soldier is in danger, tomorrow the European soldier could be in danger,” Rouhani told a Cabinet meeting. Said a Western diplomat, spelling out European thinking: “This allows us to buy time while making clear to Iran that they cannot continue on this path of non-compliance with no consequences.” For now, it’s a high stakes poker bet on who blinks first. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

US-Iran conflict: A high-stakes bet on who blinks first

Two days after the US assassinated top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, a red flag was raised over the dome of the Jamkaran Mosque in the holy city of Qom in Iran.

It was a rare sight for the flag which symbolises revenge to be unfurled outside the month of Muharram. The flag’s video was widely shared on social media with many saying that it signified an impending battle.&nbsp;

War had become too real. The killing united Iran which had been reeling under anti-government protests over the fuel price hike. Slogans against the establishment were replaced by those against America.

In the US, Congress condemned President Trump’s decision to order the strike without its approval. It later voted to limit Trump's power to declare war on Iran.

Many questioned the timing of the killing which happened in an election year. President Trump had his own battles to fight. He has recently been impeached and is awaiting trial in the Senate. Countries around the world including Washington's allies called for de-escalation.

Then came January 8.&nbsp;

Less than a week after Soleimani’s killing, Iran launched a series of rockets at two Iraqi bases hosting US troops. There were no casualties in the attacks but in a separate incident, 176 innocent people lost their lives.

Hours after the strikes, a Ukrainian passenger plane crashed near Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport. All 176 on board were killed.

Majority of the victims were Iranians while others included citizens of Canada, Ukraine and Sweden. Almost immediately after the accident, US and Canada said that they had intelligence that a missile shot down the Boeing 737 jet.

Iran denied the claims but it also refused to hand out the plane’s black box to Boeing. Three days after the crash, Iran admitted that it had unintentionally shot down the plane mistaking it for a ‘hostile jet’. The country vowed to bring the guilty to justice.

Internationally, Iran signalled that it favoured the diffusion of tensions. Speaking at the ‘Raisina Dialogue’ in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said that there was still room for diplomacy with the United States.

Amid heightened tensions, the crash exposed the possible cracks within the top Iranian military leadership. The missile was launched by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps- a paramilitary which has its own army, air force and navy which are independent of the Iranian military.

Soleimani was the head of the ‘Quds Force’ or the foreign unit of the IRGC. Iran said that it was in a state of ‘high-readiness’ over fears of US retaliation. If missiles had to be deployed then why was Iranian airspace not closed?

Was there a lack of communication between the military, IRCG and the government? While these questions remain unanswered, an old challenged threatened the Iranian regime. Protesters took to the streets of capital Tehran chanting slogans against their leaders and calling them liars for initially denying the downing of the Ukrainian jet.

The demonstrators found support from Trump who in an unusual move, tweeted in Persian asking the Iranian government ‘to not massacre peaceful protesters.’

The Iranian leadership has a lot to worry about. It is not just an election year for the US but Iran too. In fact, the country is heading to polls next month. But as of now, a major war has been averted. 
 
(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Two days after the US assassinated top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, a red flag was raised over the dome of the Jamkaran Mosque in the holy city of Qom in Iran.

Two days after the US assassinated top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, a red flag was raised over the dome of the Jamkaran Mosque in the holy city of Qom in Iran. It was a rare sight for the flag which symbolises revenge to be unfurled outside the month of Muharram. The flag’s video was widely shared on social media with many saying that it signified an impending battle. War had become too real. The killing united Iran which had been reeling under anti-government protests over the fuel price hike. Slogans against the establishment were replaced by those against America. In the US, Congress condemned President Trump’s decision to order the strike without its approval. It later voted to limit Trump's power to declare war on Iran. Many questioned the timing of the killing which happened in an election year. President Trump had his own battles to fight. He has recently been impeached and is awaiting trial in the Senate. Countries around the world including Washington's allies called for de-escalation. Then came January 8. Less than a week after Soleimani’s killing, Iran launched a series of rockets at two Iraqi bases hosting US troops. There were no casualties in the attacks but in a separate incident, 176 innocent people lost their lives. Hours after the strikes, a Ukrainian passenger plane crashed near Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport. All 176 on board were killed. Majority of the victims were Iranians while others included citizens of Canada, Ukraine and Sweden. Almost immediately after the accident, US and Canada said that they had intelligence that a missile shot down the Boeing 737 jet. Iran denied the claims but it also refused to hand out the plane’s black box to Boeing. Three days after the crash, Iran admitted that it had unintentionally shot down the plane mistaking it for a ‘hostile jet’. The country vowed to bring the guilty to justice. Internationally, Iran signalled that it favoured the diffusion of tensions. Speaking at the ‘Raisina Dialogue’ in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said that there was still room for diplomacy with the United States. Amid heightened tensions, the crash exposed the possible cracks within the top Iranian military leadership. The missile was launched by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps- a paramilitary which has its own army, air force and navy which are independent of the Iranian military. Soleimani was the head of the ‘Quds Force’ or the foreign unit of the IRGC. Iran said that it was in a state of ‘high-readiness’ over fears of US retaliation. If missiles had to be deployed then why was Iranian airspace not closed? Was there a lack of communication between the military, IRCG and the government? While these questions remain unanswered, an old challenged threatened the Iranian regime. Protesters took to the streets of capital Tehran chanting slogans against their leaders and calling them liars for initially denying the downing of the Ukrainian jet. The demonstrators found support from Trump who in an unusual move, tweeted in Persian asking the Iranian government ‘to not massacre peaceful protesters.’ The Iranian leadership has a lot to worry about. It is not just an election year for the US but Iran too. In fact, the country is heading to polls next month. But as of now, a major war has been averted. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

How a war between US and Iran was averted

Iran President Rouhani during a speech on Wednesday urged his people to maintain "national unity" amid protests in Tehran in the aftermath of the dowing of the Ukranian 737 aircraft last week.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-and-president-rouhani-did-not-know-the-reason-behind-boeing-crash-till-friday-iran-foreign-minister-zarif-at-raisina-dialogue-274417">Also Read:&nbsp;I and President Rouhani did not know the reason behind Boeing crash till Friday, says Zarif</a>

The president while calling the Armed forces to "apologise" said, "The people want to make sure that the authorities treat them with sincerity, integrity and trust."

Iran was swept in anger as people took to the streets on Saturday after authorities admitted a missile was responsible for the Boeing 737 crash in which 176 people died.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/wion-dispatch-what-remains-of-us-largest-base-where-us-troops-sheltered-during-iran-missile-attack-274459/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

In an attempt to cool tempers, Rouhani said that "people are our masters and we are its servants. The servant must address the master with modesty, precision and honesty" while asserting that citizens "want diversity".

The president hit out UK PM Johnson after he suggested that the nuclear deal should be substituted by the "Trump deal".

"This Mr. Prime Minister in London, I don’t know how he thinks. He says let’s put aside the nuclear deal and put the Trump plan in action," Rouhani said, adding,"If you take the wrong step, it will be to your detriment. Pick the right path. The right path is to return to the nuclear deal."

"What we have done is reversible. Whatever we do on the nuclear issue is under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA),” said Rouhani added.

Rouhani reiterated that American troops should leave the region, saying: "American soldiers today are not secure in the region ... We don’t want there to be insecurity in the world. We want you to go from here, but not with war. We want you to leave the region intelligently and it’s to your benefit."

Iran President Rouhani during a speech on Wednesday urged his people to maintain "national unity" amid protests in Tehran in the aftermath of the dowing of the Ukranian 737 aircraft last week.

Iran President Rouhani during a speech on Wednesday urged his people to maintain "national unity" amid protests in Tehran in the aftermath of the dowing of the Ukranian 737 aircraft last week. Also Read: I and President Rouhani did not know the reason behind Boeing crash till Friday, says Zarif The president while calling the Armed forces to "apologise" said, "The people want to make sure that the authorities treat them with sincerity, integrity and trust." Iran was swept in anger as people took to the streets on Saturday after authorities admitted a missile was responsible for the Boeing 737 crash in which 176 people died. Watch Video: In an attempt to cool tempers, Rouhani said that "people are our masters and we are its servants. The servant must address the master with modesty, precision and honesty" while asserting that citizens "want diversity". The president hit out UK PM Johnson after he suggested that the nuclear deal should be substituted by the "Trump deal". "This Mr. Prime Minister in London, I don’t know how he thinks. He says let’s put aside the nuclear deal and put the Trump plan in action," Rouhani said, adding,"If you take the wrong step, it will be to your detriment. Pick the right path. The right path is to return to the nuclear deal." "What we have done is reversible. Whatever we do on the nuclear issue is under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA),” said Rouhani added. Rouhani reiterated that American troops should leave the region, saying: "American soldiers today are not secure in the region ... We don’t want there to be insecurity in the world. We want you to go from here, but not with war. We want you to leave the region intelligently and it’s to your benefit."

People are our masters and we are its servants, says Rouhani amid protests in Tehran

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during which both leaders "exchanged views on regional and global issues".&nbsp;

"The two leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues and underlined the great similarity and convergence in the approaches of India and Russia for ensuring regional and global security, peace and stability," a statement by Ministry of External Affairs said.

The two leaders also expressed happiness at the significant landmarks the Special Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia had covered in the recent past, particularly in the year 2019, the MEA statement also said.

Both leaders also agreed to continue consulting each other closely and "working assiduously" to further strengthen India and Russia ties in 2020.

&nbsp;Recalling that the Russian Federation had celebrated Christmas recently as per the tradition in Russia, the Prime Minister conveyed season's greetings to President Putin and the Russian people.

Putin warmly reciprocated the greetings and wished PM Modi and the people of India prosperity, progress, peace and happiness.

The Prime Minister stressed that the year 2020 would be of special significance for Russia and recalled with gratitude the invitation extended by President Putin to him to participate in the 75th Victory Day Celebration in Moscow in May this year.

PM Modi said that he looked forward to participating in the Summits of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS countries in Russia this year and welcoming President Putin in India for the 21st bilateral Annual Summit.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during which both leaders "exchanged views on regional and global issues".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during which both leaders "exchanged views on regional and global issues". "The two leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues and underlined the great similarity and convergence in the approaches of India and Russia for ensuring regional and global security, peace and stability," a statement by Ministry of External Affairs said. The two leaders also expressed happiness at the significant landmarks the Special Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia had covered in the recent past, particularly in the year 2019, the MEA statement also said. Both leaders also agreed to continue consulting each other closely and "working assiduously" to further strengthen India and Russia ties in 2020. Recalling that the Russian Federation had celebrated Christmas recently as per the tradition in Russia, the Prime Minister conveyed season's greetings to President Putin and the Russian people. Putin warmly reciprocated the greetings and wished PM Modi and the people of India prosperity, progress, peace and happiness. The Prime Minister stressed that the year 2020 would be of special significance for Russia and recalled with gratitude the invitation extended by President Putin to him to participate in the 75th Victory Day Celebration in Moscow in May this year. PM Modi said that he looked forward to participating in the Summits of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS countries in Russia this year and welcoming President Putin in India for the 21st bilateral Annual Summit. (With inputs from agencies)

PM Modi and Russia's Putin discuss regional, global issues in telephonic conversation

An Iran hawk who advocated killing General Qasem Soleimani, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has ordered his diplomats to limit contacts with militant Iranian exile and opposition groups that support either regime change or greater rights for ethnic groups like Kurds and Arabs.

Coming on the back of the Soleimani killing, Pompeo’s directive appears to put an end to the Trump administration’s hinting that it covertly supports insurgent efforts to at the very least destabilise the Iranian government if not topple it.

A litmus test of the directive by Pompeo, known to have a close relationship with Donald J Trump, is likely to be whether the president’s personal lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani, distances himself from the controversial National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), an offshoot of the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, a group that was taken off the US Treasury’s list of designated terrorists several years ago.

Giuliani is a frequent, well-paid speaker at gatherings of the group that has built a significant network among Western political elites. The council and the Mujahedeen openly call for regime change in Iran.

The Mujahedeen were moved with US assistance from their exile base in Iraq to a reportedly Saudi-funded secretive facility in Albania.

A New Jersey-based lobbying firm hired by the NCRI, Rosemont Associates, reported last year in its filing as a foreign agent frequent email and telephone contact on behalf of its client with the US embassy in the Albanian capital of Tirana as well as Brian Hook, the US Special Representative for Iran, and Gabriel Noronha, an aide to Hook.

In his directive, Pompeo said that “Direct US government engagement with these groups could prove counterproductive to our policy goal of seeking a comprehensive deal with the Iranian regime that addresses its destabilising behaviour.”&nbsp;

The secretary went on to say that Iranian opposition groups “Try to engage US officials regularly to gain at least the appearance of tacit support and enhance their visibility and clout.”

Pompeo’s cable, while keeping a potential negotiated deal with Iran on the table, does not stop other US government agencies from covertly supporting the various groups, that also includes Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of al-Ahwaz (AMLA), the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, and the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI).

Iran, which has long believed that the United States, alongside Saudi Arabia and Israel, supported the Mujahedeen as well as ethnic militants that intermittently launch attacks inside Iran, is likely to take a wait-and see-attitude towards Pompeo’s directive that could be seen as a signal that the Trump administration is not seeking regime change.

The timing of the directive is significant. Iran responded to the killing of Soleimani with carefully calibrated missile attacks on US facilities in Iraq in a bid to create an environment in which backchanneling potentially could steer the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table.

While it was uncertain that one round of escalated tensions would do the trick, potential efforts were not helped by the death of Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, a key interlocutor who has repeatedly helped resolve US-Iranian problems and initiated contacts that ultimately led to the 2015 international agreement that curbed Iran’s nuclear program.

In his directive, Pompeo, referring to Komala, acknowledged that “Iran’s regime appears to assess that the United States and/or Israel support this group of militant Kurds.”

Iranian perceptions were reinforced not only by calls for regime change by senior figures like Giuliani and Saudi prince Turki al-Faisal, a former head of the kingdom’s intelligence service and ex-ambassador to Britain and the United States, but also the appointment in 2018 of Steven Fagin as counsel general in Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Shortly before moving to Erbil, Fagin met in Washington as head of the State Department’s Office of Iranian Affairs, with Mustafa Hijri, leader of the KDPI as it stepped up its attacks in Iranian Kurdistan.

Iranian perceptions were further informed by the appointment of John Bolton, Trump’s since departed national security advisor and like Giuliani a frequent speaker at NCRI events, who publicly advocates support of ethnic insurgencies in Iran in a bid to change the regime.

As Trump’s first director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Pompeo named Michael D’Andrea, a hard-charging, chain-smoking covert operations officer, alternatively nicknamed the Dark Prince or Ayatollah Mike, whose track record includes overseeing the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, as head of the CIA’s Iran operations.

The appointment was followed by the publication by a Riyadh-based think tank believed to be close to crown prince Mohammed bin Salman of a study for Saudi support for a low-level Baloch insurgency in Iran. Prince Mohammed vowed around the same time that “We will work so that the battle is for them in Iran, not in Saudi Arabia.”

Pakistani militants have claimed that Saudi Arabia had stepped up funding of militant madrassas or religious seminaries in the Pakistani province of Balochistan that allegedly serves as havens for anti-Iranian fighters.

The New York Times reported this week that aides to Prince Mohammed had in the past discussed with private businessmen the assassination of Soleimani, an architect of Iran’s regional network of proxies, and other Iranians as well as ways of sabotaging the country’s economy.

Pompeo’s directive is unlikely to persuade Iran that Washington has had a change of heart. Indeed, it hasn’t. Trump maintains his campaign of maximum pressure and this week imposed additional sanctions on Iran.

Nonetheless, potentially taking regime change off the table facilitates backchanneling that aims at getting the two nations to talk again. 
 
(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

An Iran hawk who advocated killing General Qasem Soleimani, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has ordered his diplomats to limit contacts with militant Iranian exile and opposition groups that support either regime change or greater rights for ethnic groups like Kurds and Arabs.

An Iran hawk who advocated killing General Qasem Soleimani, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has ordered his diplomats to limit contacts with militant Iranian exile and opposition groups that support either regime change or greater rights for ethnic groups like Kurds and Arabs. Coming on the back of the Soleimani killing, Pompeo’s directive appears to put an end to the Trump administration’s hinting that it covertly supports insurgent efforts to at the very least destabilise the Iranian government if not topple it. A litmus test of the directive by Pompeo, known to have a close relationship with Donald J Trump, is likely to be whether the president’s personal lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani, distances himself from the controversial National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), an offshoot of the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, a group that was taken off the US Treasury’s list of designated terrorists several years ago. Giuliani is a frequent, well-paid speaker at gatherings of the group that has built a significant network among Western political elites. The council and the Mujahedeen openly call for regime change in Iran. The Mujahedeen were moved with US assistance from their exile base in Iraq to a reportedly Saudi-funded secretive facility in Albania. A New Jersey-based lobbying firm hired by the NCRI, Rosemont Associates, reported last year in its filing as a foreign agent frequent email and telephone contact on behalf of its client with the US embassy in the Albanian capital of Tirana as well as Brian Hook, the US Special Representative for Iran, and Gabriel Noronha, an aide to Hook. In his directive, Pompeo said that “Direct US government engagement with these groups could prove counterproductive to our policy goal of seeking a comprehensive deal with the Iranian regime that addresses its destabilising behaviour.” The secretary went on to say that Iranian opposition groups “Try to engage US officials regularly to gain at least the appearance of tacit support and enhance their visibility and clout.” Pompeo’s cable, while keeping a potential negotiated deal with Iran on the table, does not stop other US government agencies from covertly supporting the various groups, that also includes Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of al-Ahwaz (AMLA), the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, and the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI). Iran, which has long believed that the United States, alongside Saudi Arabia and Israel, supported the Mujahedeen as well as ethnic militants that intermittently launch attacks inside Iran, is likely to take a wait-and see-attitude towards Pompeo’s directive that could be seen as a signal that the Trump administration is not seeking regime change. The timing of the directive is significant. Iran responded to the killing of Soleimani with carefully calibrated missile attacks on US facilities in Iraq in a bid to create an environment in which backchanneling potentially could steer the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table. While it was uncertain that one round of escalated tensions would do the trick, potential efforts were not helped by the death of Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, a key interlocutor who has repeatedly helped resolve US-Iranian problems and initiated contacts that ultimately led to the 2015 international agreement that curbed Iran’s nuclear program. In his directive, Pompeo, referring to Komala, acknowledged that “Iran’s regime appears to assess that the United States and/or Israel support this group of militant Kurds.” Iranian perceptions were reinforced not only by calls for regime change by senior figures like Giuliani and Saudi prince Turki al-Faisal, a former head of the kingdom’s intelligence service and ex-ambassador to Britain and the United States, but also the appointment in 2018 of Steven Fagin as counsel general in Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan. Shortly before moving to Erbil, Fagin met in Washington as head of the State Department’s Office of Iranian Affairs, with Mustafa Hijri, leader of the KDPI as it stepped up its attacks in Iranian Kurdistan. Iranian perceptions were further informed by the appointment of John Bolton, Trump’s since departed national security advisor and like Giuliani a frequent speaker at NCRI events, who publicly advocates support of ethnic insurgencies in Iran in a bid to change the regime. As Trump’s first director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Pompeo named Michael D’Andrea, a hard-charging, chain-smoking covert operations officer, alternatively nicknamed the Dark Prince or Ayatollah Mike, whose track record includes overseeing the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, as head of the CIA’s Iran operations. The appointment was followed by the publication by a Riyadh-based think tank believed to be close to crown prince Mohammed bin Salman of a study for Saudi support for a low-level Baloch insurgency in Iran. Prince Mohammed vowed around the same time that “We will work so that the battle is for them in Iran, not in Saudi Arabia.” Pakistani militants have claimed that Saudi Arabia had stepped up funding of militant madrassas or religious seminaries in the Pakistani province of Balochistan that allegedly serves as havens for anti-Iranian fighters. The New York Times reported this week that aides to Prince Mohammed had in the past discussed with private businessmen the assassination of Soleimani, an architect of Iran’s regional network of proxies, and other Iranians as well as ways of sabotaging the country’s economy. Pompeo’s directive is unlikely to persuade Iran that Washington has had a change of heart. Indeed, it hasn’t. Trump maintains his campaign of maximum pressure and this week imposed additional sanctions on Iran. Nonetheless, potentially taking regime change off the table facilitates backchanneling that aims at getting the two nations to talk again. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

US backs off support to regime change in Iran

Washington&nbsp;on Friday spurned an&nbsp;Iraqi&nbsp;request to prepare to pull out its&nbsp;troops, amid heightened US-Iranian tensions after the US&nbsp;killing of an Iranian commander in Baghdad and said it was exploring a possible expansion of NATO's presence there.

Seeking to tighten pressure on its foe, the United States meanwhile imposed more sanctions on Iran, responding to an attack on US&nbsp;troops&nbsp;in Iraq launched by Tehran in retaliation for the death of General <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-asks-us-to-send-delegation-and-set-up-mechanism-for-troop-pullout-273491">Qasem Soleimani</a>.

Iraq could bear the brunt of any further violence between its neighbour Iran and the United States, its leaders caught in a bind as&nbsp;Washington&nbsp;and Tehran are also the&nbsp;Iraqi&nbsp;government's main allies and vie for influence there.

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-of-representatives-curbs-trumps-war-power-amid-iran-tensions-273283">Donald Trump</a> said Iran had probably planned to attack the US&nbsp;embassy in Baghdad and was aiming to strike four US&nbsp;embassies when Soleimani was killed in a US&nbsp;drone strike.

"We will tell you probably it was going to be the embassy in Baghdad," Trump said in a clip of an interview with Fox News. "I can reveal that I believe it would have been four embassies."

Iraqi&nbsp;Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/defense-chief-esper-denies-us-troop-pullout-from-iraq-after-leaked-letter-confusion-272596">Adel Abdul Mahdi</a> made his request for preparations for a US&nbsp;troop withdrawal in a phone&nbsp;call&nbsp;with US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday in line with a vote in Iraq's parliament last week, his office said.

Abdul Mahdi asked Pompeo to "send delegates to put in place the tools to carry out the parliament's decision," his office said in a statement, adding that the forces used in the killing had entered Iraq or used its airspace without permission.

The State Department said any US&nbsp;delegation would not discuss the withdrawal of US&nbsp;troops&nbsp;as their presence in Iraq was "appropriate."

"There does, however, need to be a conversation between the US&nbsp;and&nbsp;Iraqi&nbsp;governments not just regarding security, but about our financial, economic, and diplomatic partnership," spokeswoman <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/placating-turkey-trump-admin-says-doesnt-recognise-armenian-genocide-268796">Morgan Ortagus</a> said in a statement.

Trump said in the Fox News interview that if Iraq wanted the United States to leave, he would tell them: "You have to pay us for the money we put in."

He said the United States has $35 billion of Iraq's money "sitting in an account."

"I think they'll agree to pay. Otherwise, we'll stay there," Trump said.

Pompeo told reporters a NATO delegation was in&nbsp;Washington&nbsp;on Friday to discuss the future of the Iraq mission and a plan to "get burden-sharing right in the region".

Separately, the State Department said Pompeo had discussed Iran with Canadian Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-under-pressure-at-home-over-plane-crash-warns-iran-world-is-watching-273502">Francois‑Philippe Champagne</a> as well as "the opportunity for an expanded NATO force in Iraq and appropriate burden-sharing".

The latest flare-up in the long covert war between Iran and the United States began with the US&nbsp;killing of Soleimani, Iran's top general, in a drone strike on January&nbsp;3. Iran responded on Wednesday by firing missiles at US&nbsp;forces in Iraq.

In the aftermath, both sides backed off from intensifying the conflict but the region remains tense.

Iraq's top Shiite Muslim cleric condemned the US-Iranian struggle happening on&nbsp;Iraqi&nbsp;soil, saying it risked plunging his country and the wider Middle East into deeper conflict.

Grand <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-killing-of-qasem-soleimani-will-lead-to-the-strengthening-of-iranian-hardliners-272109">Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani</a> said it was&nbsp;Iraqis who stood to suffer most from the US-Iranian conflict. In a message delivered through a representative at Friday prayers in the holy city of Kerbala, Sistani said no foreign powers should be allowed to decide Iraq's fate.

"The latest dangerous aggressive acts, which are repeated violations of&nbsp;Iraqi&nbsp;sovereignty, are a part of the deteriorating situation" in the region, Sistani said. "Iraq must govern itself and there must be no role for outsiders in its decision-making."

Iraq has suffered decades of war, sanctions and sectarian conflict, including the US-led invasion of 2003.

At Friday prayers in Tehran, mid-ranking Iranian cleric Mohammad Javad Haj Aliakbari said US&nbsp;interests across the world were now exposed to threats.

Since Soleimani's killing, Tehran has stepped up its&nbsp;calls for US&nbsp;forces to leave Iraq, which like Iran is a mainly Shiite Muslim nation. Iranian Supreme Leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-missile-attack-news-iran-appears-to-be-standing-down-says-trump-273124">Ali Khamenei</a> has said the retaliatory strikes were not enough and that ending the US&nbsp;military presence in the region was Tehran's main goal.

Critics have&nbsp;called Soleimani's killing a reckless action.

But Pompeo said on Friday&nbsp;Washington&nbsp;had specific information about an imminent Iranian threat including to US&nbsp;embassies, adding: "American lives were at risk."

As part of his most recent activities in Iraq, Soleimani had encouraged pro-Iranian&nbsp;Iraqi&nbsp;militias to quash months of protests by&nbsp;Iraqis opposed to the influence in their country of foreign powers such as Iran and the United States.

In&nbsp;Iraqi&nbsp;cities, demonstrators took to the streets again on Friday, determined to keep up the momentum of their protests despite attention turning to the threat of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/us-iran-can-india-play-peacemaker-273348">US-Iran conflict</a>.

Gunmen killed two local journalists covering protests in the southern city of Basra, security sources and state media said. Ahmed Abdulsamad, Basra correspondent of Dijla TV station owned by senior Sunni politician Mohammed al-Karbouli, as killed immediately while his camera operator succumbed to his wounds in hospital, a medical source told reporters.

"Politicians and clerics are either with Iran, the US&nbsp;or other countries. Our allegiance is to Iraq only, not to factions and politicians," said Essam Faraj, 54, a demonstrator in Baghdad.

Washington on Friday spurned an Iraqi request to prepare to pull out its troops, amid heightened US-Iranian tensions after the US killing of an Iranian commander in Baghdad and said it was exploring a possible expansion of NATO's presence there.

Washington on Friday spurned an Iraqi request to prepare to pull out its troops, amid heightened US-Iranian tensions after the US killing of an Iranian commander in Baghdad and said it was exploring a possible expansion of NATO's presence there. Seeking to tighten pressure on its foe, the United States meanwhile imposed more sanctions on Iran, responding to an attack on US troops in Iraq launched by Tehran in retaliation for the death of General Qasem Soleimani. Iraq could bear the brunt of any further violence between its neighbour Iran and the United States, its leaders caught in a bind as Washington and Tehran are also the Iraqi government's main allies and vie for influence there. President Donald Trump said Iran had probably planned to attack the US embassy in Baghdad and was aiming to strike four US embassies when Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike. "We will tell you probably it was going to be the embassy in Baghdad," Trump said in a clip of an interview with Fox News. "I can reveal that I believe it would have been four embassies." Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi made his request for preparations for a US troop withdrawal in a phone call with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday in line with a vote in Iraq's parliament last week, his office said. Abdul Mahdi asked Pompeo to "send delegates to put in place the tools to carry out the parliament's decision," his office said in a statement, adding that the forces used in the killing had entered Iraq or used its airspace without permission. The State Department said any US delegation would not discuss the withdrawal of US troops as their presence in Iraq was "appropriate." "There does, however, need to be a conversation between the US and Iraqi governments not just regarding security, but about our financial, economic, and diplomatic partnership," spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement. Trump said in the Fox News interview that if Iraq wanted the United States to leave, he would tell them: "You have to pay us for the money we put in." He said the United States has $35 billion of Iraq's money "sitting in an account." "I think they'll agree to pay. Otherwise, we'll stay there," Trump said. Pompeo told reporters a NATO delegation was in Washington on Friday to discuss the future of the Iraq mission and a plan to "get burden-sharing right in the region". Separately, the State Department said Pompeo had discussed Iran with Canadian Foreign Minister Francois‑Philippe Champagne as well as "the opportunity for an expanded NATO force in Iraq and appropriate burden-sharing". The latest flare-up in the long covert war between Iran and the United States began with the US killing of Soleimani, Iran's top general, in a drone strike on January 3. Iran responded on Wednesday by firing missiles at US forces in Iraq. In the aftermath, both sides backed off from intensifying the conflict but the region remains tense. Iraq's top Shiite Muslim cleric condemned the US-Iranian struggle happening on Iraqi soil, saying it risked plunging his country and the wider Middle East into deeper conflict. Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said it was Iraqis who stood to suffer most from the US-Iranian conflict. In a message delivered through a representative at Friday prayers in the holy city of Kerbala, Sistani said no foreign powers should be allowed to decide Iraq's fate. "The latest dangerous aggressive acts, which are repeated violations of Iraqi sovereignty, are a part of the deteriorating situation" in the region, Sistani said. "Iraq must govern itself and there must be no role for outsiders in its decision-making." Iraq has suffered decades of war, sanctions and sectarian conflict, including the US-led invasion of 2003. At Friday prayers in Tehran, mid-ranking Iranian cleric Mohammad Javad Haj Aliakbari said US interests across the world were now exposed to threats. Since Soleimani's killing, Tehran has stepped up its calls for US forces to leave Iraq, which like Iran is a mainly Shiite Muslim nation. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has said the retaliatory strikes were not enough and that ending the US military presence in the region was Tehran's main goal. Critics have called Soleimani's killing a reckless action. But Pompeo said on Friday Washington had specific information about an imminent Iranian threat including to US embassies, adding: "American lives were at risk." As part of his most recent activities in Iraq, Soleimani had encouraged pro-Iranian Iraqi militias to quash months of protests by Iraqis opposed to the influence in their country of foreign powers such as Iran and the United States. In Iraqi cities, demonstrators took to the streets again on Friday, determined to keep up the momentum of their protests despite attention turning to the threat of a US-Iran conflict. Gunmen killed two local journalists covering protests in the southern city of Basra, security sources and state media said. Ahmed Abdulsamad, Basra correspondent of Dijla TV station owned by senior Sunni politician Mohammed al-Karbouli, as killed immediately while his camera operator succumbed to his wounds in hospital, a medical source told reporters. "Politicians and clerics are either with Iran, the US or other countries. Our allegiance is to Iraq only, not to factions and politicians," said Essam Faraj, 54, a demonstrator in Baghdad.

US-Iran tensions escalate as Washington refuses Tehran's request to remove troops

When Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike in Baghdad, the immediate question which arose was what was the top Iranian commander doing in Iraq?

The answer is business as usual.

Soleimani who was the chief of the ‘Quds Force’ or the foreign unit of the elite Iranian paramilitary ‘Revolutionary Guards’ has been a frequent visitor to Iraq. He was at the forefront of the Iranian mission to hegemonise Iraq.

The two neighbours fought a long and bloody war in the 1980s but much has changed since then. Iran began extending its influence on Iraq after the latter was invaded by the US&nbsp;in 2003.

But it was in 2005 when Iran got a breakthrough. Parliamentary elections were held in Iraq under US&nbsp;supervision. What followed was a power vacuum left by the Americans who were unacquainted with the sectarian divisions in Iraq.

This is where the Iranians triumphed. Iraq like Iran was an exception in the Middle East, in the sense that both were Shia-majority nations. Saddam Hussein’s Sunni-dominated government which attacked Iran had been toppled.

In his testimony to the US&nbsp;Congress, Kenneth Pollack, the CIA analyst on the Middle East had said, “By late 2006, Iran was putting money on every number on the roulette wheel, providing weapons, cash, information, training and other forms of support to a wide variety of groups—Shia, Sunni, Kurdish and others."

It's speculated that Iran’s aim has been to penetrate not only into Iraqi politics but its society, economy and military.

The mission to dominate Iraq involved funding Shiite militias, forging alliances with politicians and intimidation.

In fact, Abu Muhandis- the deputy commander of the ‘Popular Mobilisation Forces’- an umbrella group of Iraqi Shiite militias was part of Soleimani's convoy in Baghdad. He was also killed in the US strike.

Iran’s dominance over Iraqi politics has, at times, been so significant that it even managed to influence the appointment of the country’s Prime Minister. This was evident when Soleimani convinced Kurdish and Shiite leaders to back Nouri al-Maliki as the PM in 2006.

Iraq is perhaps the most strategically located country in the Middle East. It shares a border with most major nations in the region- Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria, Turkey, Jordan and Kuwait.

Dominance over Iraq can open the road to hegemony over Middle East. But that is not the foremost reason why Iran intends to make Iraq a client state.

The shadow of the Iran-Iraq war of whose Soleimani was a veteran still looms large. Iran plans to ensure that Iraq never becomes strong enough to pose a threat again.

Post-2014, Shiite militias led by Soleimani aided an ailing Iraqi army in the fight against the Islamic State. The Iranian influence kept growing, so much so that in 2015, Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal Al-Saud remarked, “Iran is taking over Iraq.”

But challenges to Iranian hegemony also increased over a period of time. During the 2019 anti-government protests, many Iraqis demanded an end to Iran’s dominance. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Ahead of his death, Soleimani was tasked with quelling this very anger against Iran along with business as usual. &nbsp; 
 
(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

When Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike in Baghdad, the immediate question which arose was what was the top Iranian commander doing in Iraq? The answer is business as usual.

When Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike in Baghdad, the immediate question which arose was what was the top Iranian commander doing in Iraq? The answer is business as usual. Soleimani who was the chief of the ‘Quds Force’ or the foreign unit of the elite Iranian paramilitary ‘Revolutionary Guards’ has been a frequent visitor to Iraq. He was at the forefront of the Iranian mission to hegemonise Iraq. The two neighbours fought a long and bloody war in the 1980s but much has changed since then. Iran began extending its influence on Iraq after the latter was invaded by the US in 2003. But it was in 2005 when Iran got a breakthrough. Parliamentary elections were held in Iraq under US supervision. What followed was a power vacuum left by the Americans who were unacquainted with the sectarian divisions in Iraq. This is where the Iranians triumphed. Iraq like Iran was an exception in the Middle East, in the sense that both were Shia-majority nations. Saddam Hussein’s Sunni-dominated government which attacked Iran had been toppled. In his testimony to the US Congress, Kenneth Pollack, the CIA analyst on the Middle East had said, “By late 2006, Iran was putting money on every number on the roulette wheel, providing weapons, cash, information, training and other forms of support to a wide variety of groups—Shia, Sunni, Kurdish and others." It's speculated that Iran’s aim has been to penetrate not only into Iraqi politics but its society, economy and military. The mission to dominate Iraq involved funding Shiite militias, forging alliances with politicians and intimidation. In fact, Abu Muhandis- the deputy commander of the ‘Popular Mobilisation Forces’- an umbrella group of Iraqi Shiite militias was part of Soleimani's convoy in Baghdad. He was also killed in the US strike. Iran’s dominance over Iraqi politics has, at times, been so significant that it even managed to influence the appointment of the country’s Prime Minister. This was evident when Soleimani convinced Kurdish and Shiite leaders to back Nouri al-Maliki as the PM in 2006. Iraq is perhaps the most strategically located country in the Middle East. It shares a border with most major nations in the region- Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria, Turkey, Jordan and Kuwait. Dominance over Iraq can open the road to hegemony over Middle East. But that is not the foremost reason why Iran intends to make Iraq a client state. The shadow of the Iran-Iraq war of whose Soleimani was a veteran still looms large. Iran plans to ensure that Iraq never becomes strong enough to pose a threat again. Post-2014, Shiite militias led by Soleimani aided an ailing Iraqi army in the fight against the Islamic State. The Iranian influence kept growing, so much so that in 2015, Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal Al-Saud remarked, “Iran is taking over Iraq.” But challenges to Iranian hegemony also increased over a period of time. During the 2019 anti-government protests, many Iraqis demanded an end to Iran’s dominance. Ahead of his death, Soleimani was tasked with quelling this very anger against Iran along with business as usual. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Qasem Soleimani and Iran’s plan to dominate Iraq

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-markets-bonds-reign-supreme-equities-struggle-on-recession-brexit-fears-246318">World stocks</a> set new record highs on Friday and the prices of safe-haven assets such as gold pulled back as investors cheered an apparent de-escalation in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/why-did-iran-and-us-step-back-from-all-out-war-273243">US-Iran </a>tensions and looked instead toward prospects of improved global growth.

Markets have swiftly reversed the sharp falls seen at the start of the week after the United States killed Iran's most senior general, as investors have concluded that a full-scale military confrontation is unlikely.

The MSCI world equity index, which tracks shares in 49 countries, has quickly resumed its rally and added another 0.12 percent&nbsp;on Friday to hit a new record high. It is almost 1.5 percent&nbsp;above the lows seen on Monday.

European shares also rose, although not quite hitting new records. The pan-European Euro Stoxx 50 gained 0.1&nbsp;and the German DAX 0.23 percent, while Britain's FTSE 100 was unchanged.

The three major share indexes on Wall Street touched new record highs on Thursday, and S&amp;P 500 futures were 0.28 percent higher, pointing to a stronger open ahead of all-important US&nbsp;non-farm payrolls data due at 1330 GMT.

A Reuters poll of economists is forecasting the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/could-a-weakening-us-economy-imperil-trumps-trade-war-against-china-226753">US&nbsp;economy</a> will have added 164,000 jobs in December, down from 254,000 in November, typically a strong month for hiring. Investors will also be focusing on underlying wage growth data for a gauge of underlying labour market strength.

Stock markets have got off to a decent start in 2019 despite US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's decision to kill military commander Qassem Soleimani, the second most powerful figure in Iran, in a missile strike in Baghdad.

FULL CIRCLE

"In the space of a few days we appear to have swung full circle; with investors seem convinced that the problems in the Middle East appear to have settled down, at least for the time being," said Michael Hewson, chief markets analyst at CMC Markets.

"Investors now have the opportunity to focus on the signing of the new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-phase-two-us-china-deal-on-the-horizon-officials-say-264312">US-China phase one trade</a> deal next week, as well as the health of the US&nbsp;economy today, and in particular the labour market which has continued to look resilient," he added.

Adding to the bullish mood, investors welcomed news that sales of Apple's iPhones in China in December jumped more than 18 percent&nbsp;on the year. They digested the report as a prelude to the upcoming visit by China's Vice Premier Liu He, head of the country's negotiation team in Sino-U.S. trade talks, to Washington next week to sign a trade deal.

MSCI's emerging market currency index, although little changed on Friday, hit 1-1/2-year highs on Thursday in what is likely to be its sixth straight week of gains. It has also benefited from three US&nbsp;rate cuts last year.

Safe haven assets extended their drop.

Gold eased 0.1&nbsp;percent&nbsp;&nbsp;to $1,550 per ounce from a seven-year high of $1,610.90 hit right after Iran's missile attack on Wednesday.

Against the Japanese yen, which investors often buy in times of uncertainty, the US&nbsp;dollar strengthened 0.2percent&nbsp;&nbsp;to a two-week high of 109.65 yen.

The dollar was slightly firmer. The euro dropped 0.1percent&nbsp;to $1.1085, its lowest in about two weeks.

Oil prices, which briefly spiked at the start of the week on worries that tensions with Iran would disrupt global supplies, recovered some of their subsequent losses.

Brent crude rose 0.3&nbsp;percent&nbsp;&nbsp;to $65.57 a barrel and was heading for its first decline in six weeks and its biggest since October, down around 4.5%.

US&nbsp;crude oil rallied 0.22percent&nbsp;&nbsp;to $59.69 a barrel but was also on track for its first weekly drop in six, falling 5.3% from last Friday's close.

Government bond yields, which rose on Thursday as investors' nerves about the situation in the Middle East eased, edged lower on Friday.

The benchmark 10-year German bond yield fell marginally to -0.221 per cent but for the week remains up 6 basis points, in a strong signal of investors' willingness to pull back from safe-haven government debt for riskier assets.

The 10-year US&nbsp;Treasury yield slipped to 1.852 percent&nbsp;&nbsp;but it too remains up more than 6 basis points on the week.

"With risk appetite showing little sign of abating following another resurgent 24 hours in markets, the next potential hurdle to jump is the first payrolls Friday of the new decade," said Deutsche Bank macro strategists.

World stocks set new record highs on Friday and the prices of safe-haven assets such as gold pulled back as investors cheered an apparent de-escalation in US-Iran tensions and looked instead toward prospects of improved global growth.

World stocks set new record highs on Friday and the prices of safe-haven assets such as gold pulled back as investors cheered an apparent de-escalation in US-Iran tensions and looked instead toward prospects of improved global growth. Markets have swiftly reversed the sharp falls seen at the start of the week after the United States killed Iran's most senior general, as investors have concluded that a full-scale military confrontation is unlikely. The MSCI world equity index, which tracks shares in 49 countries, has quickly resumed its rally and added another 0.12 percent on Friday to hit a new record high. It is almost 1.5 percent above the lows seen on Monday. European shares also rose, although not quite hitting new records. The pan-European Euro Stoxx 50 gained 0.1 and the German DAX 0.23 percent, while Britain's FTSE 100 was unchanged. The three major share indexes on Wall Street touched new record highs on Thursday, and S&P 500 futures were 0.28 percent higher, pointing to a stronger open ahead of all-important US non-farm payrolls data due at 1330 GMT. A Reuters poll of economists is forecasting the US economy will have added 164,000 jobs in December, down from 254,000 in November, typically a strong month for hiring. Investors will also be focusing on underlying wage growth data for a gauge of underlying labour market strength. Stock markets have got off to a decent start in 2019 despite US President Donald Trump's decision to kill military commander Qassem Soleimani, the second most powerful figure in Iran, in a missile strike in Baghdad. FULL CIRCLE "In the space of a few days we appear to have swung full circle; with investors seem convinced that the problems in the Middle East appear to have settled down, at least for the time being," said Michael Hewson, chief markets analyst at CMC Markets. "Investors now have the opportunity to focus on the signing of the new US-China phase one trade deal next week, as well as the health of the US economy today, and in particular the labour market which has continued to look resilient," he added. Adding to the bullish mood, investors welcomed news that sales of Apple's iPhones in China in December jumped more than 18 percent on the year. They digested the report as a prelude to the upcoming visit by China's Vice Premier Liu He, head of the country's negotiation team in Sino-U.S. trade talks, to Washington next week to sign a trade deal. MSCI's emerging market currency index, although little changed on Friday, hit 1-1/2-year highs on Thursday in what is likely to be its sixth straight week of gains. It has also benefited from three US rate cuts last year. Safe haven assets extended their drop. Gold eased 0.1 percent to $1,550 per ounce from a seven-year high of $1,610.90 hit right after Iran's missile attack on Wednesday. Against the Japanese yen, which investors often buy in times of uncertainty, the US dollar strengthened 0.2percent to a two-week high of 109.65 yen. The dollar was slightly firmer. The euro dropped 0.1percent to $1.1085, its lowest in about two weeks. Oil prices, which briefly spiked at the start of the week on worries that tensions with Iran would disrupt global supplies, recovered some of their subsequent losses. Brent crude rose 0.3 percent to $65.57 a barrel and was heading for its first decline in six weeks and its biggest since October, down around 4.5%. US crude oil rallied 0.22percent to $59.69 a barrel but was also on track for its first weekly drop in six, falling 5.3% from last Friday's close. Government bond yields, which rose on Thursday as investors' nerves about the situation in the Middle East eased, edged lower on Friday. The benchmark 10-year German bond yield fell marginally to -0.221 per cent but for the week remains up 6 basis points, in a strong signal of investors' willingness to pull back from safe-haven government debt for riskier assets. The 10-year US Treasury yield slipped to 1.852 percent but it too remains up more than 6 basis points on the week. "With risk appetite showing little sign of abating following another resurgent 24 hours in markets, the next potential hurdle to jump is the first payrolls Friday of the new decade," said Deutsche Bank macro strategists.

Stocks march back to record highs as Middle East tensions ease

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