Iranian lawmaker says U.S. sanctions provide opportunity for closer interaction with outside world

TEHRAN - Alaeddin Boroujerdi, an Iranian lawmaker, said on Monday that the U.S. sanctions against Iran provide an opportunity to expand interaction with other countries, particularly China.

Lufthansa, Austrian and Turkish airlines continue flying to Tehran

TEHRAN – Lufthansa, Austrian and Turkish airlines along with several other international carriers have no plan yet to halt flying to Iran as news broke that three European airliners are to suspend services to the country.

Prepared for worst case scenario, Iran’s FM tells CNN

Iran is prepared for the worst case scenario of economic aftermaths of U.S. sanctions, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Sunday in an exclusive interview with the CNN from Tehran.

By Javad Heirannia

EU blocking statute can't protect Iran against U.S. sanctions: Fitzpatrick

TEHRAN - Mark Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of International Institute for Strategic Studies says that the EU blocking statute cannot by itself protect Iran against the impact of U.S. sanctions because any firms that do business with the United States will still need to decide for themselves if it is worth risking this business for the sake of trade with Iran.

Spanish company vows to defy U.S. sanctions, continue business with Iran

In an interview with Sputnik, Esproenko International, which specializes in oil and gas services, commented on the situation around the first phase of Washington’s anti-Iranian sanctions which entered into force on August 7.

New wave of Afghans headed to Europe from Iran

In recent weeks, we have witnessed an exodus of Afghan citizens living in Iran and their efforts to find a new place for business. The devaluation of Iran's national currency, partly driven by cruel U.S. sanctions and the silence of European countries with regard to Trump's actions, has sorely damaged the Afghans’ finances.

By Javad Heirannia

EU resistance against U.S. on Iran is limited: Nephew

TEHRAN – Richard Nephew, who served as the lead sanctions expert for the U.S. team negotiating with Iran, is of the opinion that Trump believes that the Blocking Statute law “will be ineffective unless the EU is really prepared to retaliate against the United States for its sanctions policies and to make it costly on the United States to take these steps.”

By Javad Heirannia

EU cannot force European companies to do business with Iran: ex-White House official

TEHRAN – Professor Frank N. von Hippel, former assistant director for national security in the White House Office of Science and Technology says that “European companies would be protected with regard to their specific agreements with Iran but the EU cannot protect them from being excluded from the U.S. market if they trade with Iran.”

Iraqi PM walks back on commitment to U.S. sanctions on Iran

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has contradicted his recent reluctant commitment to abide by renewed U.S. sanctions on Iran, saying his government only committed to not using dollars in transactions with Tehran.

No longer intl. consensus exists against Iran, says MP

TEHRAN - Ali Najafi Khoshroudi, the spokesman of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, has shrugged off the renewed U.S. sanctions against Iran, contrary to the past there is no consensus against Iran.

Switzerland recommends firms pursue Iran ties despite U.S. sanctions

The Swiss government regrets the situation regarding sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran, but recommends Swiss firms pursue their business relations with the Islamic Republic on an informed basis, it said on Thursday.

U.S. sanctions against Iran could make world's oil supply very challenging: IEA

A U.S. plan to impose targeted crude sanctions against Iran could significantly impact global supply and exhaust the world's spare oil capacity cushion, according to the latest monthly report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Iraq’s Ammar Hakim urges support for Iran in face of U.S. sanctions

TEHRAN – Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Iraqi National Wisdom Movement, reacted on Wednesday to U.S. sanctions move on the Islamic Republic, calling for all-out efforts to help Iran in the face of U.S. pressure, Tasnim reported.

Iranian oil exports to China, India surge in July despite U.S. sanctions

TEHRAN – Iranian crude oil loadings to China and India increased significantly in July compared to the previous month despite U.S. threats, a Platts survey showed. According to Platts data, Shipments to china were 799,452 barrels per day (bpd) in July, up from 722,100 bpd in June.

Turkey sticks with Iranian gas despite U.S. sanctions, energy minister says

TEHRAN - Turkey’s energy minister said on Wednesday that his country will continue to buy natural gas from Iran despite U.S. sanctions, Reuters reported.

Japan objects effect of U.S. sanctions on Iran on its energy supply

TEHRAN - Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko said his country’s energy supply should not be affected by U.S. sanctions on Iran, Platts reported.

12% of NDF resources allocated to shield U.S. sanctions

TEHRAN- According to the latest decision of the heads of the three branches of government, 12 percent of Iran’s National Development Fund (NDF)’s financial resources will be granted to minimize the impacts of the newly re-imposed U.S. sanctions, IRNA quoted a parliament member as saying on Tuesday.

European companies can be protected from U.S. sanctions on Iran: UK minister

European companies can be protected from new U.S. sanctions on Iran, a junior British foreign minister said on Tuesday.

EU regrets U.S. sanctions on Iran, vows to protect European businesses

The European Union said Monday it deeply regretted the U.S.' reimposition of sanctions on Iran after President Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear pact, and vowed immediate steps to protect European companies.

‘U.S. sanctions not to impede Iran-Russia railway cooperation’

TEHRAN- Hossein Ashouri, deputy head of Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (known as RAI) announced that U.S.-led sanctions have never been influential on expansion on Iran’s railway cooperation with Russia and the country will continue to develop its collaboration with east and west railways, the portal of Iranian Transport Ministry reported.

U.S. sanctions clear violation of human rights: Iran

TEHRAN – Mahmoud Abbassi, the justice minister’s deputy for human rights and foreign affairs, said on Saturday that the U.S. sanctions are a clear violation of human rights and called for formation of a committee to study the repercussion of sanctions on ordinary people.

China, India say trade with Iran unfazed by U.S. sanctions

Beijing consistently opposes policies of unilateral sanctions and intends to continue its trade cooperation with Iran under its international commitments, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said on Thursday.

Iranian diplomat to meet Lebanese officials, reports say

TEHRAN - Hossein Jaberi Ansari, a senior assistant to the Iranian foreign minister, is scheduled to hold meetings with Lebanese officials on Monday.

By Payman Yazdani

U.S. sanctions impact on Iran is mostly psychological: Italian expert

TEHRAN - Italian expert Pastori Gianluca is of the view that Trump's unilateralism has a lot to do with his domestic considerations and the U.S. sanctions impact on Iran is mostly psychological.

Iran's health chief: Self-proclaimed human rights advocates silent on U.S. sanctions

TEHRAN – Health Minister Hassan Qazizadeh-Hashemi on Tuesday criticized the self-proclaimed human rights advocates for their silence toward U.S. sanctions moves against Iran which can impede access of Iranian patients to necessary drugs.

Iran to sell maximum level of oil to counter U.S. sanctions: VP

TEHRAN- Iranian First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri announced on Tuesday that the country plans to sell as much oil as it can in face of U.S. sanctions, Fars news agency reported.

By Javad Heirannia

I don't think Iranian officials will succumb to coercion of U.S.: David Phillips

TEHRAN - David L. Phillips, Director of the Program on Peace-building and Rights at Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights, believes that “Through secondary sanctions, the U.S. can act unilaterally to punish foreign corporations doing business with Iran, especially foreign banks.”

Japan, S.Korea seeking waivers from U.S. sanctions on Iran’s oil

TEHRAN – As Iran’s two major oil buyers, Japan and South Korea are in talks with the U.S. in order to get waivers over U.S. sanctions on Iran for buying crude oil from the country.

By Mohammad Ali Haqshenas and Payman Yazadani

SCO long term investment for Iran, not solution to urgent issues: Bininachvili

TEHRAN - Dr. Albert Bininachvili, professor of political science at the Columbia University believes Iran's SCO membership is a long term investment for Tehran and doesn’t necessarily provides Iran with solutions to its most urgent issues.