  Nuclear deal with Iran

In the ongoing nuclear talks with Iran, a decision could now be imminent: Tehran has sent its response to a draft agreement proposed by the EU. Removing sanctions against Iran would ease the situation on the oil and gas markets. Politically, this could be the end of a prolonged conflict, but tensions between the US and other Middle Eastern countries could also escalate. Commentators are sceptical.

After a break of several months, diplomats from France, the UK, Germany, Russia and China are currently meeting with Iranian representatives to resume talks on the 2015 nuclear accord. After former US president Trump abandoned the deal in 2018, Iran significantly boosted its nuclear programme. Now Tehran is demanding that all sanctions against it be lifted. Europe's press sees little chance of an agreement.

The Biden administration has indicated that it is seeking talks with Tehran over the nuclear deal signed in 2015 and terminated by Trump. Tehran had previously announced that it would refrain from taking voluntary transparency measures in future because the US has not yet lifted sanctions adopted under Trump. Europe's press attempts to interpret the signals from Washington.

The execution of Iranian opposition journalist Ruhollah Zam has sparked international outrage. Zam had been living in France as a fugitive since 2009, but was lured back to Iraq last year and kidnapped there, according to media reports. He was sentenced in June and hanged near Tehran on Saturday. Europe's press also discusses the future of the nuclear deal against this backdrop.

Four days after the murder of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, Tehran has once again blamed Israel and threatened retaliation. Fakhrizadeh was considered to be the architect of Iran's nuclear programme. Commentators ask what the incident means for US-Iran relations.

Iran has officially resumed enriching uranium. The leaders of the Islamic Republic on Wednesday called the measure a "fourth step" on Iran's announced policy of renouncing obligations pursuant to the nuclear agreement of 2015 after the US's withdrawal from the deal. European papers voice concern over Iran's confrontation course.

After the drone attacks on two oil refineries in Saudi Arabia, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has put the blame on Iran. Tehran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for the attacks, but Riyadh also insists that Iran was behind the strikes. Commentators also speculate on who was responsible.

After the G7 summit, a meeting between Trump and Rouhani could well be on the cards. Donald Trump appears to be open to negotiations with Rouhani on the nuclear dispute. G7 host Macron, who surprised everyone by inviting Iran's foreign minister to Biarritz, is chalking this up as his own success. The press asks whether a summit could really solve the row over Iran's nuclear programme.

Tensions between Iran and the West have been further aggravated by a new incident in the Persian Gulf. According to the government in London, three Iranian ships tried to seize a British tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran denies the allegations. While some commentators warn against further escalation, others consider whether the EU should back Trump.

Iran has declared with immediate effect that it will no longer adhere to the limit for uranium enrichment stipulated by the Vienna Nuclear Treaty. This step is the second breach of the 2015 agreement. Teheran had already announced recently that it intended to exceed the uranium reserves limit of 300 kilogrammes. Europe's press examines the reasons for and consequences of this escalation.

The Iranian government has threatened to breach key points of the nuclear agreement. A spokesman announced that the country will exceed the uranium stockpile limit stipulated in the deal by the end of June. With this step Iran is increasing the pressure on other countries to take steps to preserve the nuclear deal. Since its unilateral withdrawal from the agreement in May 2018 the US has imposed new sanctions on Iran. How can a further escalation be avoided?

Concerns are growing that the situation in the Persian Gulf may spiral out of control. The US has sent war ships to the region and Tehran has begun preparations for increasing its uranium enrichment activities. US President Donald Trump and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif have crossed swords on Twitter. Commentators analyse the battle lines and cast about for solutions.

Today, Monday, Washington is imposing what it describes as its toughest sanctions yet on Iran. They take aim at the country's oil industry, financial sector and transportation industry. After signing the nuclear pact with Iran in 2015 the US had suspended its sanctions. Commentators say Washington may have miscalculated with this hard line.

The EU wants to create a "special purpose vehicle" for processing payments between European companies and Tehran in a bid to enable Europe's industry to continue trading with the country without violating US sanctions. Some commentators praise the initiative for attempting to preserve the nuclear deal. Others doubt that it will keep the regime in Tehran in line.

After weeks of speculation, Donald Trump has withdrawn from the nuclear deal with Iran. The US sanctions that were lifted in the context of the agreement have now been reimposed. Israel and Saudi Arabia have welcomed the decision. While some commentators show understanding for the move, most of them voice concern.

Following his re-election as Iran's president Hassan Rouhani now faces the challenge of pushing through his announced reforms in the face of strong domestic opposition. Many commentators doubt that he can succeed.

One day after Donald Trump's investiture hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated across the globe against his presidency and for women's rights, tolerance and peaceful coexistence. The protests were among the largest in US history, with up to half a million people gathering in Washington. What can this opposition accomplish?

Reformists and moderates made major gains in Iran's parliamentary election on Friday. The results strengthen the position of President Hassan Rouhani, who wants the country to open up more to the West. Can he push the country further towards democracy?

The classical nude beauties at Rome's Capitoline Museum were covered during a press conference given by Iranian President Rouhani and Italian Prime Minister - out of respect for the Muslim guest. Has Rome made a fool of itself with this gesture?

In his speech to the US Congress on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the West's nuclear deal with Iran will not prevent Tehran from building nuclear weapons. Israel's concerns are entirely justified, some commentators write. Others accuse Netanyahu of jeopardising the alliance between the US and Israel with his address.

The five UN veto powers and Germany signed a nuclear deal with Iran in Vienna on Tuesday - after 13 years of negotiations. Some commentators see the agreement as a historic step that can bring peace and prosperity to the Middle East. Others warn that it won't stop Iran from building a nuclear bomb sooner or later.