UN Calls for Investigation on Tanker Attacks
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Friday for an independent investigation to establish the facts and who was responsible for attacks on two oil tankers this week in the Gulf of Oman.The United States blamed Iran for the attacks on Thursday, a charge Tehran rejected. Amid the rising tensions, Guterres said he was available to mediate if the parties agreed, however he added that "at the present moment we don't see a mechanism of dialogue possible to be in place."Tehran and Washington have both said they have no interest in starting a war…
Two Tankers Attacked in Gulf of Oman
Two oil tankers were attacked in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday, leaving one ablaze and both adrift, shipping firms said, driving oil prices as much as 4% higher over worries about Middle East supplies.The Front Altair, carrying petrochemical feedstock, was on fire in waters between Gulf Arab states and Iran after an explosion that a source blamed on a magnetic mine. The Norwegian owner said its crew were safe.A second Japanese-owned tanker was abandoned after being hit by a suspected torpedo, the firm that chartered the ship said.
US Threatens 'Strongest' Sanctions on Iran
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday threatened to impose the "strongest sanctions in history" against Iran if it did not accept a sweeping series of U.S. demands, including effectively giving up its nuclear ambitions, curtailing its ballistic missile program and ending its expansionist behavior.Weeks after the United States pulled out of an international nuclear deal with Iran, Pompeo spelled out a hardline approach towards the Islamic Republic, potentially setting Washington and Tehran…
Iran says extension of sanctions act shows U.S. unreliable
A U.S. Senate vote to extend the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) for 10 years shows the world that Washington cannot be relied upon to act on its commitments, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday. Iran has vowed to retaliate against the ISA extension, passed unanimously on Thursday, saying it violated last year's agreement with six major powers to curb its nuclear programme in return for lifting of international financial sanctions. "To the world community, the extension of sanctions against Iran shows the unreliability of the American government…
Iran, Ecuador Discuss Ways to Strengthen Oil Prices
Iran and Ecuador on Wednesday discussed ways that the two countries can strengthen oil prices as Iran signals it may support joint efforts by exporters to prop up flagging crude. Iran has been boosting output since Western sanctions were eased in January. Tehran refused to join a previous attempt this year by OPEC plus non-members such as Russia to stabilize production, and talks collapsed in April. But Reuters reported on Tuesday that sources in OPEC and the oil industry said Iran is sending positive signals on taking joint action, which could help revive a deal on freezing output levels at talks next month.
Iran Nuclear Deal Close; Impasse Over Weapons, Missiles Persists
Iran and six world powers were close to an historic nuclear agreement on Thursday that could resolve a more than 12-year dispute over Tehran's nuclear ambitions, but they remained deadlocked on the issue of Iranian arms and missile trade. Over the past two weeks, Iran, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China have twice extended a deadline for completing a long-term deal under which Tehran would curb sensitive nuclear activities for more than a decade in exchange for sanctions relief.
Oil Steady as EU Hopes Offset Supply, Dollar
French, German data point to improvement in Europe economy; Iran nuclear deal eyed for more trading cues. Oil prices remained flat on Tuesday as strong European economic data and optimism a deal will be struck between Greece and its creditors offset the impact of a supply glut and a stronger dollar. Prices recovered after falling earlier in the session, moving into positive territory as European shares climbed to a three-week high on expectations of a Greek deal. Brent crude was 1 cent higher at $63.35 a barrel at 1044 GMT, after closing the previous session up 32 cents. U.S.
Oil Falls Sharply as Iran Talks Continue
Marathon talks with Iran continue; no deal yet. A deal could release millions of barrels of oil into markets. Oil prices fell more than 3 percent on Thursday as officials from the big global powers stayed locked in nuclear talks with Iran that, if successful, could allow the Islamic state to release more crude oil onto world markets. Negotiations on Tehran's disputed nuclear programme have stretched well beyond a self-imposed March 31 deadline, with diplomats saying the chances of a preliminary accord in the next few hours are finely balanced.
Oil Dips to $61 on Dollar, Supplies
Dollar hits 11-year high against major currencies; Iran Foreign Minister: nuclear deal possible this week. Brent crude oil fell almost 2 percent towards $61 a barrel on Monday after Iran said a deal on its nuclear programme could be agreed this week if the West lifted sanctions, which could boost the country's oil exports. Oil prices were also depressed by a stronger dollar and reports of a rise in Libyan crude output, traders said. Brent crude hit a low of $61.18 a barrel and was at $61.30 by 1220 GMT, down $1.28. Front-month Brent jumped 18 percent in February, the largest monthly rise since May 2009. U.S.
Iran Nuclear Talks Advancing, But No Deal Likely
Talks on curbing Iran's nuclear program have made substantial progress, a senior U.S. official said on Friday as the White House braced for an onslaught of criticism next week from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The official told reporters many hurdles remained to reaching an agreement to restrain the Iranian nuclear program in exchange for easing economic sanctions and said he did not expect one to be reached next week. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif are to meet in Switzerland early next week just as Netanyahu comes to Washington.
U.S.& Iran Meet Ahead of Deadline for Atom Deal
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will meet Iran's foreign minister and the European Union foreign policy chief in Oman on Nov. 9-10 to discuss the Iranian nuclear issue ahead of a looming deadline for a final agreement, the U.S. State Department said on Friday. Kerry's talks in Muscat, Oman with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and the EU's Catherine Ashton are due to take place two weeks before a Nov. 24 deadline for Tehran and six major powers to reach a long-term agreement on Iran's nuclear program. The high-level gathering is one of series of meetings in the final weeks before the deadline.
U.N. Nuclear Chief Holds Top Level Nuclear Talks in Iran
U.N. nuclear agency chief Yukiya Amano began talks in Tehran on Sunday with President Hassan Rouhani and other senior officials to push for progress in a long-running investigation into Iran's suspected atomic bomb research. Amano's trip comes ahead of an Aug. 25 deadline for Iran to provide information relevant to the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) inquiry into what it calls the possible military dimensions of the country's disputed nuclear programme. The issue is closely tied to…
Iran, Six Powers Agree to Extend Nuclear Talks - Envoys
Iran and six world powers on Friday agreed to a four-month extension of negotiations on a long-term nuclear deal that would gradually end sanctions on Tehran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme, diplomats close to the talks said. Iran, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China had set a July 20 deadline to complete a long-term agreement that would resolve the decade-old dispute over Tehran's nuclear ambitions. But diplomats said they were unable to overcome significant differences on major sticking points.
US Says Iran Oil Exports in Line with Sanctions
The United States on Friday dismissed suggestions that Iran was exporting much more oil than it is allowed to sell under a preliminary nuclear deal with world powers and predicted that aggregate Iranian oil sales would meet targets set for Tehran. The remarks from a senior U.S. official came ahead of a new round of senior-level negotiations between Iran and the United States, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia in Vienna on April 8-9. It will be the third round of talks this year in the Austrian capital on a long-term deal with Iran.
