European Union extends Iran sanctions freeze by extra two weeks

“At the front of mind for everybody, including I would suspect on the Iranian side, was the concern… that there would be risk of escalation and the spillover of this issue into other issues, including no doubt the nuclear situation”, the official said. The Iran vote was cut off promptly at 15 minutes.

Any such move, reducing the plant’s ability to produce plutonium, might signal imminent implementation of the nuclear deal and clear the way for Tehran to receive relief from economic sanctions.

In practice, this means lifting the restrictions that now prevent non-U.S.-companies, entities and individuals from engaging in a wide array of transactions with Iran.

Iran hopes to raise its exports to India by 200,000 bpd, up from the 260,000 bpd now shipped under sanctions’ restrictions, the official said. The State Department says it’s unclear if that statement was coerced and that it doesn’t count as a US apology.

Kerry said that the implementation of the Iranian nuclear deal, which he described as a blueprint for blocking all of Iran’s potential pathways to a nuclear weapon, will be one of the U.S. foreign policy priorities in the coming year.

Later in October, Iran tested a nuclear-capable ballistic missile that was later determined by the United Nations to have been in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1929.

Removing the core of the Arak reactor would ensure that it can not produce weapons-grade plutonium and amount to a major milestone in Iran’s journey to meet its obligations under the agreement.

“Our initial impression was that they were well treated”, Toner said, adding “there was no official US apology given to the Iranians”.

Kerry once again expressed gratitude to Iranian authorities for swiftly releasing 10 US Navy sailor detained in the Gulf Tuesday after reportedly drifting into Iranian waters.

“Iran does not deserve the benefit of the doubt”.

The Iran nuclear talks saw for the first time Iran and the United States engaging in serious negotiations at the highest levels after over 35 years of hostility.

The U.S.is banking on its new dynamic with Iran, and particularly Kerry’s relationship with Zarif.

Raja said the recent phone discussions between Kerry and Zarif are evidence that the Rouhani administration’s “primary project is to expand ties with America at all levels”.

With the sailors free, it was time for the politicking over the episode to begin in earnest.

Some oil traders said oil’s deep slide so far this year, including its 6 percent slump on Monday, was being fuelled in part by signs that Iran might emerge from crushing sanctions sooner rather than later, allowing it to ramp up production after years of constraint.

US Secretary of State John Kerry told Iran’s foreign minister that Tehran’s capture and release of 10 US sailors could be turned into a “good story” for both countries, a US official said Wednesday.

Iran also boosted its support of Syria’s dictator Bashar al-Assad responsible for most of the carnage in his country’s civil war by sending troops to defend Assad.