Iran sanctions
Rouhani says Iran resists sanctions, drives US 'desperate'
The United States on Friday imposed another round of sanctions on Iran, including on its central bank which was already blacklisted.
The US Treasury said the sanctions would freeze any of Zarif's assets in the United States or controlled by US entities, as well as squeeze his ability to function as a globe-trotting diplomat.
Nearly four years after it was agreed, the 2015 Iran nuclear deal appears to be under serious threat.
Trump indicated the government was taking a diplomatic path to put pressure on Tehran by moving to impose new sanctions.
Washington has decided not to renew exemptions from US sanctions to buyers of Iranian oil, in an effort to cut Iran’s vital oil exports to zero.
The announcement may come on the sidelines of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Bucharest.
Iran’s rial currency has fluctuated in value in recent months, making it difficult for ordinary people to make ends meet.
The measures described by Washington as "the toughest sanctions ever" follow US President Donald Trump's controversial decision in May to abandon the multi-nation nuclear deal with Tehran.
Taking effect Monday, the measures are the most concrete result yet of US President Donald Trump's controversial decision in May to abandon the multi-nation nuclear deal with Tehran.
The Iranian military said it would launch two days of air defence drills on Monday and assured Iranians that it could neutralise any threats, according to a report.
A defiant Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed the renewed US sanctions - including an oil embargo - that take effect on Monday.
The court on Wednesday ordered the US remove any impediments to the free exportation of goods to Iran required for humanitarian assistance.
The United States, which will respond formally in oral arguments on Tuesday, has yet to issue a public response.
Washington reimposed sanctions last week after pulling out of a 2015 international deal aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear programme in return for an easing of economic sanctions.
MTN, which reported a 7% drop in half-year profits on Wednesday, has around R3.4 billion in accumulated dividends and loans from its joint venture in Iran.
European countries, hoping to persuade Tehran to continue to respect the deal, have promised to try to lessen the blow of sanctions.
Foes for decades, the US and Iran have been increasingly at odds over Iran’s growing political and military influence in the Middle East since Trump took office.
A State Department official said the application was without merit and the United States would fight it in the court.
Oil prices rose on Friday on worries that US sanctions against Iran would take away significant volumes of crude oil from world markets while oil demand worldwide increases.