BBC – Six months of exemptions from US sanctions for countries still buying oil from Iran ended on Thursday. President Donald Trump reinstated the sanctions last year after abandoning a landmark nuclear accord, which he wants to renegotiate. Iran’s leaders have remained defiant in the face of the sanctions and vowed to overcome them, but the substantial impact they have …

Radiofarda – As the full implementation of U.S. oil sanctions start Thursday, Turkey is asking for an extension of the six-month exemption it had from Washington, claiming it is not easy to replace Iranian oil. Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey is not able to easily diversify its oil imports as its refineries are calibrated for intake of oil …

Radiofarda – A popular movie star has been targeted by hardliners on Iranian social media after she took a “fake news” post too seriously and shared it with millions of her fans. The hardliners have accused Mahnaz Afshar, also known for her charity work and sympathy for political prisoners, of encouraging violence after she shared a post that alleged a …

Radiofarda – Following a report that Iran will ration gasoline on May 2, long lines have formed outside gas stations, while an official says the timing of the move is not final. Wednesday morning, Tasnim news agency close to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards reported that gasoline, at the heavily subsidized price of 20 cents per gallon, will be rationed at 16 …

Radiofarda – Iran says it wants good relations with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and their allies, and it called on them to end their bitter dispute with Persian Gulf neighbor Qatar.Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on May 1 said that Tehran has “extremely good relations with Qatar, Kuwait, Oman.”“We hope to have the same type of relations …

Radiofarda – Foreign companies can choose to receive crude oil instead of hard currencies for the goods they sell to Iran, the CEO of Iranian National Oil Company said on Wednesday, May 1. Speaking to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)-run news website, Tasnim, Masoud Karbasian asserted, “There is a possibility for foreigners, who are inclined to deal with Iran, …

Radiofarda – U.S. President Donald Trump’s unexpected decision to ban all Iranian oil purchases after May 1 – ending exemptions for eight nations – came after hawkish economic and security advisors allayed the president’s fears of an oil price hike, according to three sources familiar with the internal debate. The unprecedented move to fully sever Tehran’s financial lifeline – finalized …

Iran-HRM – Iranian security forces broke up a Labor Day demonstration in front of the regime Parliament (Majles) in Tehran on Wednesday May 1, arresting tens of workers. According to a report posted by the Tehran Bus Drivers’ Union, at least 35 demonstrators, mainly members of the union have been apprehended. College students and other participants were also among those …

VOA – The United States is tightening its economic sanctions on Iran by ending a set of waivers Thursday that had allowed some of the country’s largest oil buyers to continue their purchases. With the expiration of waivers for eight buyers, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the United States would be exerting “maximum pressure” on the Iranian government. The …

VOA – An Iranian oil tanker carrying more than 1 million barrels of fuel oil suffered a malfunction in the Red Sea off the coast of Saudi Arabia, authorities said Thursday, raising concerns that the vessel could be leaking. The incident involving the Happiness I came as U.S. oil exemptions for Iranian crude oil purchases expired, part of President Donald …