Page 2 - Iran

US, Iran talks conclude in Doha, focused on Strait of Hormuz, frozen funds

The next meeting will take place ​after funeral processions for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali ​Khamenei, who is due to be buried on July 9

PM Modi reiterates importance of Hormuz navigation in call with Iran Prez

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation on Tuesday with President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, who briefed him on the recent developments in West Asia and the way forward. The Prime Minister said he reiterated in his interaction with the Iranian leader the importance of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz for India and the world. Prime Minister Modi welcomed the understanding reached, and reiterated India's consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said. Modi reiterated the need for continued efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region, and for safeguarding freedom of navigation and commerce. During the telephonic conversation, the President of Iran briefed Prime Minister Modi on the recent developments in West Asia and the way forward, the statement said. Modi also wrote on 'X': "Spoke with the President of Iran, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, on

Why Iran is opposing Oman’s new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz

Oman has opened temporary shipping corridors through the Strait of Hormuz to restart global trade after months of disruption. But Iran says those routes cannot operate without Tehran's approval. Why d

Trump claims Iran requested meeting; Iranian officials deny talks are fixed

President Donald Trump said Monday on social media that Iran had requested a meeting with US counterparts, though one of Iran's top negotiators said no further talks had been scheduled after attacks across the Persian Gulf over the weekend challenged negotiations to end the war. The US president has tried to preserve an increasingly fragile interim deal as hostilities have mounted in recent days in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil had been shipped before the war began. Trump said the meeting with Iran would happen on Tuesday in Doha, Qatar. But Kazem Gharibabadi, a senior negotiator for Iran, denied any talks had been scheduled. The US and Iran agreed to a deal earlier this month that calls for Tehran to dilute its stockpile of enriched uranium, and waives US-backed sanctions on the country while opening the Strait of Hormuz and giving each side 60 days to hammer out broader agreements. Oil prices fell sharply after the signing of the interim deal, but

Hasnain, Margherita to represent India at Khamenei's state funeral

Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain and Minister of State Pabitra Margherita will represent India at Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's state funeral as PM Modi is unlikely to attend

Donald Trump announces Iran meeting to be held in Doha on Tuesday

The US President said Iran had requested the meeting but did not provide further details about the agenda or participants

Qatar to release $6 bn in frozen assets amid US talks: Iranian president

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said Monday that USD6 billion in frozen Iranian assets would be released by Qatar as negotiations with the United States were challenged by attacks across the Persian Gulf this weekend. Pezeshkian is the highest-ranking official within Iran to reference the release of the funds held by Qatar, a key mediator in the negotiations with Pakistan. So far, US officials say no frozen Iranian assets have been released. "Based on the plans made, USD 6 billion out of the total USD12 billion of Iranian resources in Qatar will be released and returned to the country, and necessary follow-ups are being carried out," Pezeshkian was cited by the state-run IRNA news agency as saying. The remarks appeared aimed at selling the Iranian public on the interim deal. Iran launched drone and missile attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait on Sunday following new US airstrikes against the Islamic Republic, and threatened a "complete halt" in negotiations to end the war if ...

West Asia crisis: Iran, US agree to halt attacks and resume talks

A return to diplomacy would follow several days of strikes and counterstrikes since an Iranian projectile hit a cargo vessel in the Strait of ​Hormuz on Thursday

Bahrain accuses Iran of launching new drone attack on its territory

Bahrain accused Iran on Saturday of launching a new drone attack targeting the island nation. A statement from Bahrain's Foreign Ministry said a "number of Iranian drones" targeted the country. It did not elaborate on the target. Iran did not immediately acknowledge launching an attack. Bahrain is home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet.

Iran says it struck US-linked targets in response to American attacks

Iran ​did not identify the targets ​or say where ‌they were located

US strikes Iran after drone attack on cargo ship in Strait of Hormuz

The US struck Iran on Friday in response to a drone attack a day earlier on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. It's the most significant test yet to an interim understanding reached a week ago by the two countries to begin working to end their months-long war and reopen the pivotal waterway. US President Donald Trump said the drone attack violated the ceasefire. The strikes came shortly after Trump told reporters, "You'll find out," whether the US would respond. US Central Command said the military struck missile and drone locations and coastal radar sites in Iran. "I don't like the fact that they took a shot yesterday, actually four of them," Trump said at the White House shortly before the US struck back. When asked why there would be strikes when Trump has insisted talks with Tehran are going well, Trump said of Iran, "They're a little bit different." He then abruptly cut off questions and reporters were ushered out of his office. Ebrahim Azizi, who heads the Iranian ...

Middlemen offer discounted Iranian oil to Indian refiners after US waiver

National Iranian Oil Company and traders have approached Indian refiners with discounted crude following Washington's temporary sanctions waiver, though payment mechanisms remain unclear

World Cup: Iran, Fifa avoid questions on Seattle Pride Match against Egypt

Before coach Amir Ghalenoei or goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand answered any questions Thursday ahead of Iran's World Cup match with Egypt, a FIFA official spoke up. Daniel Marin, FIFA's executive director of public relations, read a statement in light of the teams meeting in a "Pride Match" in Seattle on Friday. Egypt and Iran are two of the most repressive places in the world for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, but they coincidentally will play each other while the host city honours the LGBTQ+ community. "This Islamic Republic of the Iran Football Federation has asked us to inform the media that they are only willing to answer questions in relation to the game," Marin said. "We fully respect the right of all journalists to ask questions. In this case, we ask you respect the rights of the federation here today to only answer questions in relation to the team, the tactics, the match, and so on." Nonetheless, Ghalenoei was peppered with questions about what will transpire

US President Donald Trump says Iran is making very big concessions

U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran is making "very big concessions", adding that developments remain uncertain

Iranian President invites Modi to Khamenei funeral; PM unlikely to attend

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to miss the funeral ceremonies of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei due to a scheduled visit to Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia

Nuclear site inspections possible only after final US-Iran deal: Iran

An Iranian diplomat rejected comments on Wednesday by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, saying nuclear site inspections would only be possible after a final US-Iran deal. Kazem Gharibabadi, a deputy foreign minister, made the comment on X. He was reacting to remarks earlier in the day by Rafael Mariano Grossi in Japan. "No meeting was held with Grossi in Switzerland, despite his request. Nor is there any plan for access to the facilities that were attacked or to nuclear material," Gharibabadi wrote. "These issues will be reviewed and decided only within the framework of a final agreement and as a result of practical action by the other side to end all sanctions and other measures." He added: "You cannot advance the stir up and take over' policy with media hype.

IAEA chief signals that inspectors will visit Iran's nuclear sites

The head of the UN's nuclear agency on Wednesday signalled that Iranian nuclear enrichment sites would be visited by his inspectors, a key component in the interim deal between the United States and Iran to reach an end to the war. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Rafael Mariano Grossi made the comments in Tokyo. "Whether this happens the day after tomorrow or in one week or in 10 days, it's important, but not essential," Grossi told journalists. "This is going to happen." On Tuesday, Iran and the US disputed whether or not bombed enrichment sites would be inspected. That's key for the deal, which calls for Iran's stockpile of uranium to be "downblended" from highly enriched levels.

Iran rushes to woo Asia's largest oil importers after US sanctions waiver

Sellers including middlemen and representatives from the National Iranian Oil Co. made contact with refiners in India, Japan, South Korea and elsewhere even before the license was officially granted

Hormuz will never go back to its pre-war status: Iran's Parliament Speaker

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran would exercise control over the key maritime passage going forward

High oil prices drive surge in Chinese EV sales, charging networks lag

Iran war-driven fuel price surge accelerates EV adoption across Asia and Africa, boosting Chinese automakers while exposing major gaps in charging infrastructure