Economy of Iran

The United States on July 31 imposed sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, targeting the country's top spokesman and potentially hurting chances of diplomatic talks amid rising tensions between the two countries.

Iran on July 4 condemned the "illegal interception" of one of its oil tankers in Gibraltar where authorities said they suspected it was carrying crude to Syria in violation of EU sanctions.    

Non-financial companies' foreign exchange assets increased by $6.2 billion while their liabilities rose by $732 million in March compared to February, data from the Central Bank of Turkey showed on June 10.

Additional sanctions imposed on Iran by the United States show that Washington's offer of talks is not genuine, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on June 8.

Iran called U.S. sanctions "economic war" on June 3, and said there could be no talks with the United States until sanctions are lifted, a day after Washington suggested it could hold talks without pre-conditions if Iran changed its behaviour.

The total amount of the state subsidy for political parties and coalitions for one year will be reduced by BGN 6.5 million, reported NOVA TV. 

By its decision, the Council of Ministers approved a draft Law on Amendments to the Political Parties Act. This is reported by the government's press service.

U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil exports do not serve peace in the region, a spokesman for Turkey's ruling AKP said on May 10.

U.S. sanctions on Iran, rising unrest in the Middle East and North Africa and oil price volatility are dragging regional economic growth, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on April 29.

Turkey's foreign minister on April 22 warned that Washington's move to end sanctions waivers on Iranian oil sales would do harm to regional peace.       

The United States announced on April 22 it will no longer grant sanctions exemptions to eight countries, including Turkey.