Iran
Armenia asks Moscow-led CSTO to respond to Azerbaijan’s ‘provocative troop incursions’
France’s president Macron and US congressman Schiff express support for Yerevan.
Azerbaijani forces 'advance 3 km into Armenia'
Armenian security council meets. Acting PM stresses there have been no exchanges of fire as Yerevan works to resolve situation peacefully.
Iran’s president hits out at vetting body’s tightening of criteria for election candidates
Guardian Council wields ultimate power in deciding who can stand. Anyone cleared to run must, for instance, be deemed sufficiently pious.
Outrage in Armenia as Azerbaijan’s Aliyev threatens force to secure land corridor
Analyst says comments meant for domestic audience as well and that there are no credible military threats to “back up rhetoric” reminiscent of “Saddam Hussein”.
Iran makes defiant “60%” uranium move in wake of suspected attack by Israel
Day also sees apparent missile strike on Israeli-owned vessel in Gulf. Tensions mount with Vienna nuclear deal talks set to resume.
Iran weighs options after ‘Israeli cyber-attack sets back nuclear programme’
Tehran talks of revenge but Iranians will be wary of derailing nuclear deal revival attempts that could relieve Islamic Republic’s strangled economy.
Nakhchivan rail plans promise to rewire Caucasus connections
Iran stands to be one of the winners of the new regional transportation map.
Persian-speaking Iran and Tajikistan boost defence relations
Tajik Rahmon administration has long been wary of Tehran exporting Islamic Revolution to inhabitants opposed to Soviet-legacy rule.
Coronavirus explosions in Turkey and Iran intensify
Latter bans tourist flights to the former. Iranian deputy minister angered by relaxation of restrictions over Nowruz holidays.
CEE reels as third wave of COVID-19 breaks
A third wave of the coronavirus pandemic is sweeping through Emerging Europe. While Russia is expecting to reach herd immunity in the next two months, most other countries of the region have only just started their mass immunisation programmes.
Iran inks 25 year strategic deal with China as US softens nuclear deal stance
Deal with Beijing could bring in hundreds of billions of investment dollars. Americans, meanwhile, talk up their flexibility on reviving accord.
Rising inflation in Emerging Europe poses dilemma for central banks
With economies primed to rebound as pandemic restrictions are loosened, consumer prices could rise even further, reawakening an issue that has long been ignored.
Iran’s moved out of its three year recession says central bank chief
“I can confidently say that today Iran’s economy has weathered tough sanctions,” adds Abdolnasser Hemmati.
Iranians become top foreign buyers of Turkish homes
Attraction of a passport for those who spend a minimum $250,000 is the driver.
US top diplomat dismisses as “incorrect” reports Korea is sending Iran funds blocked by sanctions
Iranian president, meanwhile, under fire from conservatives for suggesting step by step revival of nuclear deal is acceptable to Tehran.
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Iran ‘quietly’ resumes oil trade with China, India
Market moves detected as hopes grow Tehran and Washington can fix their nuclear deal differences.
COMMENT: OPEC+ puts off production cut decision for a month
A decision over oil production levels and prices looks to have been delayed for a month following the OPEC+ meeting, between OPEC’s 13 members and 10 other non-OPEC countries, on March 4.
Did sanctions evading Iran put together fake Armenian airline to buy planes?
Islamic Republic’s Caspian Airlines purchases Boeing 737 said to have arrived in Tehran in an emergency landing. Observers smell a rat.
US accepts invitation to nuclear deal talks with Iran hosted by EU
Biden administration has, meanwhile, made gestures such as dropping special restrictions on Iranian diplomats in New York imposed by Donald Trump officials.
Turkey’s Q2 natural gas import prices set to rise, talks launched on Iran contract
Oil-indexed prices on track to rise substantially. Pipeline operator Botas is front-loading its 2021 take.
