JULY 5 – Iran said it enriched its uranium supply beyond the limits set out under the nuclear deal, as tensions heightened between Tehran and Washington.
U.S. President Donald Trump told Iran that its ongoing threats could “come back to bite” the country and called on Iran to halt all uranium enrichment.
The U.S. special envoy for Iran, Brian Hook, told reporters at a meeting in London that the United States wanted to develop the JCPOA into a treaty which would encompass Iran’s nuclear programme, missile programme, regional aggression and ongoing arrests of dual nationals.
Tehran said it would consider talks with Washington if sanctions were lifted and the Supreme Leader gave his permission for discussions to take place.
Instex, the European special purpose vehicle set up by France, Britain and Germany to enable trade with Iran, may complete its first transaction in the next few days. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said the transaction would be a limited one.
An oil tanker bound for Syria was seized by British Royal Marines on Thursday on suspicion of bringing Iranian oil to Syria in violation of E.U. sanctions.
- Iran’s will to boost its uranium enrichment levels in excess of limits set out under the nuclear deal has fuelled more fears of a war, but analysts say Iran may have other motivations.
- The E3 (France, Britain and Germany), and the High Representative of the E.U. for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini expressed concern over Iran’s uranium enrichment this week but decided not to trigger the nuclear deal’s dispute mechanism for now.
- The U.S.said it temporarily disabled the IRGC’s missile launchers in response to Iran shooting down a U.S. surveillance drone. Iran’s I.T. Minister said the cyber attack had been unsuccessful.
- Police arrested two people on suspicion of kidnapping and torturing a five year-old boy called Mobin, over a period of two months. The toddler suffered several injuries to his head, hands and mouth. He was taken to a hospital where he is receiving medical care.
