Iran’s new foreign minister has stressed several areas of common interest in a phone call with China’s top diplomat Wang Yi, while nuclear talks with the West remain in limbo.
As Iran's nuclear talks in Vienna have stalled, Tehran is losing time in lifting US sanctions, which is key to reduce dangerously high inflation, especially amid angry protests.
US has rebuked an a claim by Iran that a prisoner exchenge is near only if Washington would take the right step, calling it an outrageous effort to deflect blame.
Iranian lawmakers have introduced a bill to punish any government official who would negotiate with the United States without explicit permission from parliament.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali khamenei marked the "Qods Day" by a speech about Palestine, without any reference to the nuclear talks with the United States in Vienna.
As negotiations with Iran are scheduleed to start next week in Vienna, the US has called for the release of all American citizens “wrongfully detained” by the Islamic Republic.
Foreign Minister Javad Zarif says there is no consensus among Iran's leaders on talks with the United States, but once the US rejoins JCPOA talks possible within its framework.
Iran's conservatives and hardliners believe they are more suited to make a lasting deal with the United States than reformists or the current centrist government.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's website and hardlne media are accusing reformist of twisting Khamenei's words in a speech to mean he agrees with talks to lift sanctions.