UN nuclear watchdog chief says inspectors ‘back in Iran’

UN nuclear watchdog chief says inspectors ‘back in Iran’

The head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog has said a team of its inspectors are “back in Iran,” the first to enter since Israeli and US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities this year. Iran suspended cooperation with the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency following a 12-day war with Israel in June, with Tehran pointing … Read more

Beijing files WTO suit against Canada, opposes EU sanctions on Iran

Beijing files WTO suit against Canada, opposes EU sanctions on Iran

China deepened a trade spat with Canada, filing a lawsuit at the World Trade Organization over import restrictions on steel just days after slapping fresh duties on Canadian canola. The WTO case targets tariffs and quotas on steel. Those measures were “typical trade protectionism” that disregarded China’s legitimate rights and interests and flouted WTO rules, … Read more

Iran says may allow US inspectors from nuclear watchdog if deal reached

Iran says may allow US inspectors from nuclear watchdog if deal reached

Iran on Wednesday said it may consider allowing US inspectors with the United Nations nuclear watchdog to inspect its facilities if a deal is reached with the United States. Iran has long been accused by Western powers of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran has consistently denied, insisting its nuclear programme is solely … Read more

US-China trade talk optimism drives oil prices to weekly gains

US-China trade talk optimism drives oil prices to weekly gains

Oil prices settled nearly 2% higher on Friday and notched their first weekly gains since mid-April as a U.S. trade deal with the United Kingdom turned investors optimistic ahead of talks between top officials from Washington and Beijing. Brent crude futures rose $1.07, or 1.7%, to settle at $63.91 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas … Read more

UN: Iran increasing uranium enrichment purity, quantities

UN: Iran increasing uranium enrichment purity, quantities

The UN’s atomic watchdog says its inspectors have confirmed that Iran has started enriching uranium up to 20 per cent purity, a technical step away from weapons-grade levels. It’s the latest in a string of violations of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported in a confidential document distributed … Read more

Iran urges Biden to lift sanctions affecting medicines as it fights COVID-19

Iran urges Biden to lift sanctions affecting medicines as it fights COVID-19

DUBAI: Iran urged U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday to lift sanctions which it said were hampering Tehran’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Tehran also said it had approved Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine for domestic use, and that it was trying to buy vaccines from AstraZeneca and other companies. Sanctions reimposed by former U.S. … Read more