Iran signs $4bn deal with Russian firms to develop oil fields, minister says
Iran has finalized four agreements worth a total investment of $4 billion with Russian companies to develop seven oil fields, Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said.
Economy & Environment
As Iran economy falters, populist push to expel Afghan migrants gains steam
With inflation and unemployment mounting, some Iranians and officials are stepping up calls to expel the millions of undocumented and impoverished Afghans in their midst to claw back jobs and government handouts for citizens.
No deal for us: how Iran–US talks affect ordinary Iranians
I’ve grown the habit of checking the dollar exchange rate every few hours, even though I sold all that I had a few months ago—or perhaps because I sold all that I had a few months ago.
Iran looks to emerge from six-year offshore oil exploration freeze
Iran hopes to revive offshore oil and gas exploration after a six-year hiatus as regional rivals Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have made significant recent discoveries and deals on their own patches.
Iran's financial markets react to Rome talks with cautious optimism
Iran's financial markets reacted with a mix of caution and optimism in the wake of the latest round of nuclear talks with the US in Rome, a stark contrast to the dramatic response witnessed after the first round of negotiations in Muscat.
Could a US deal bring American investors to Iran?
Iran has indicated a willingness to open its markets to American investors if a nuclear deal is reached, but some experts argue that expecting not only US investment but any significant foreign investment is highly unrealistic.
Iranian official sees US ties as key to oil and gas growth
Iran needs $200-250 billion dollars in investments to bring stability to its oil and gas sectors, an official in the chamber of commerce said, reiterating previous comments by the oil minister.
How Iran’s sovereign fund was depleted
While sovereign wealth funds tied to oil revenues in Iran’s neighboring countries have surpassed $3.6 trillion, a new report by the Iranian Parliament Research Center reveals the extensive depletion and misuse of Iran’s National Development Fund (NDF).
Iran hardliners push back on FATF accession citing sanctions risk
Over 150 hardline Iranian lawmakers urged a key decision-making body on Tuesday to block Iran’s accession to the Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Palermo conventions, two key components of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) reform package.
Tehran dangles market access to US but serious barriers exist
Amid mounting domestic and economic pressures, Iranian officials appear to be trying to entice the United States into a new deal favorable to Tehran by offering potential access to Iranian markets for US investors.
Tehran leans on electricity crisis to justify nuclear drive
As nuclear talks resume and threats from the US and Israel continue, Iran’s atomic chief claims the country’s electricity shortages will be solved by building new nuclear power plants.
Isfahan-Yazd tensions underscore Iran’s deepening water crisis
A month-long protest by farmers in the central Iranian province of Isfahan over their water rights has once again brought the country’s growing water crisis into sharp focus.
Iran's rial gains ground over news of US talks set for Saturday in Oman
Iran’s currency strengthened modestly on Tuesday, recovering from historic lows as anticipation grew over high-level indirect talks with the United States scheduled to take place this weekend in Oman.
Khamenei, IRGC boost share of Iran’s oil revenues and state assets
Iran's newly published budget law reveals the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) major share of oil revenues and public funds—and opens the door for the IRGC and Supreme Leader–linked institutions to take control of state assets.
China's teapots pause Iran oil orders after US sanctions refinery
Small Chinese non-state refineries—known as “teapots”—appear to be holding off on new orders of Iranian crude following Washington’s recent sanctions on Shouguang Luqing Petrochemicals, a refinery based in Shandong.
Tehran to cut water for 12 hours to high users ignoring warnings
Tehran will implement 12-hour water supply cuts for people with excessively high consumption who disregard government warnings and text message alerts to reduce water use amid a national crisis.
Iran’s food industry prices jump over 70% as costs soar
Food prices in Iran surged more than 70% in the past Iranian calendar year ending March 20, a member of the country’s Food Committee at the Chamber of Guilds said, driven by soaring costs for packaging and transport.
Secondary tariffs: US wields a powerful tool against Iran
US President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Iran and impose secondary tariffs if Tehran refuses to reach an agreement with Washington on abandoning its nuclear ambitions and making other concessions.
Iran’s lithium reserves: Separating fact from fiction
A recent report from Iran’s Ministry of Industries, Mines, and Commerce has reignited misleading social media claims that Iran ranks among the top countries in lithium resources.
Water crisis deepens as farmers torch key pipeline amid protests in central Iran
Protests over water shortages in central Iran escalated over the weekend after demonstrators set fire to a key water transfer station in Isfahan province, disrupting the supply line that channels water to hundreds of thousands of Iranians in the province of Yazd.
Tehran's earthquake threat adds to city's woes
Recent tremors outside Tehran this month have underscored the threat of a catastrophic earthquake to the capital built on fault lines, adding to the dread of inhabitants also grappling with water shortages, power cuts, and pollution.
Iran says oil exports continue despite US pressure
Iran’s oil minister, Mohsen Paknejad, has denied that new sanctions and enforcement efforts by the Trump administration against Iran’s energy exports have had a significant impact.