Iran
Landlocked Tajikistan pursues trade shipment access to Iran’s only oceanic port
Tehran open to negotiations to give poorest Central Asian nation and Persian-speaking ‘cousin’ route for commerce through facility shielded from US sanctions given its importance to Afghanistan.
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P&O cancels Persian Gulf cruises over Iran tensions
Tense situation heightened by UK decision to join US in escroting vessels through region.
Iran warns of response as UK joins US in mission to protect Gulf oil tankers
Observers ask if Boris Johnson government could soon widen support to back American sanctions against Iran. Tehran’s top diplomat says “Britain is an accomplice in US economic terrorism”.
Hell’s belles. Iranian court rules in favour of women motorcyclists
Iran’s traffic police to appeal against decision that could cause explosion of young women using motorbikes.
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IRAN SHOWDOWN: Tehran mocks “childish” US as Washington slaps sanctions on Iranian foreign minister
New report, meanwhile, suggests Islamic Republic may be successfully using cloaked oil exports to get around Trump administration’s main weapon in its attempt at throttling nation’s economy.
Germany says ‘No’ to US request to join naval mission to escort shipping in Strait of Hormuz
UK on the other hand may be warming to Washington’s plans with analysts noting how dependent new PM Boris Johnson could become on Americans as he tries to make his Brexit strategy work.
STRUGGLE IN THE STRAIT: Iran, UAE reopen talks after six years as business hub feels the heat
Emirates are not showing the taste for strangling the Iranian economy that is seen from big allies Saudi Arabia and US. Nervousness over Gulf shipping unsettling for Arab monarchies.
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South Korea reportedly sending destroyer to join US-led naval force protecting tankers in Gulf
UK, meanwhile, says swapping seized Iranian tanker Grace 1 for British-flagged vessel Stena Impero captured by Iran is out of the question.
IRAN CRISIS LATEST: Tehran hints it wants to swap captured tankers with UK
Chief adviser to Iranian supreme leader, meanwhile, says Tehran will not talk to Washington over stand-off under any circumstances. Says Iranians will attack all US bases in region if White House decides to go to war.
Beijing protests at US sanctions on Chinese company accused of Iranian oil purchase
Spotlight, meanwhile, also thrown on hoard of crude from Iran said to be sitting in “bonded storage” on China’s doorstep. Supply thought not to breach Washington’s attempted embargo as it has not crossed the border.
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ANALYSIS: Telling moment as Trump says it's getting harder for him to want to make a deal with Iran
Brazen, impertinent and contemptuous response by Tehran to Washington’s “economic war” just might have rattled US president.
TEHRAN BLOG: Mealy-mouthed UK had it coming
Britain seized an Iranian tanker as part of a policy of keeping Donald Trump sweet. London has done next to nothing to uphold the nuclear deal and protect Iran from biting US sanctions. Why act so surprised that Tehran grabbed the Stena Impero?
ANALYSIS: Iran drags UK further into showdown with US as it captures oil tanker
Latest move from Tehran against Trump’s “economic war” sparks calls for international coalition to escort all commercial vessels through the Persian Gulf.
Iran Khodro starts production of Peugeot 301—without Peugeot
Company says it invested €60mn in project that enables it to make the car despite departure from Islamic Republic of French carmaker in face of US sanctions.