LATEST: Washington Post Journalist Freed on Bail, But Correspondent Rezaian Still in Prison

Trying to sustain its economy in the event that a nuclear deal is not completed, Iran is proclaiming that its oil exports to China are continuing to rise.

Press TV declares, “Iran July Oil Delivery to China Up 40%“, maintaining historic highs in exports to Beijing.

The headline is a slight distortion of the increase. As the original Reuters report explains, the rise from June to July in oil sales to Beijing is 5%. The “40%” is the difference between exports in July 2013 and July 2014.

Still, the Chinese imports buffer Tehran against the damage to its economy, with overall oil exports still 40% below their levels of 2012, when US-led sanctions began to take full effect.

The Supreme Leader has proclaimed that Iran will pursue a “resistance economy”, ensuring that it can withstand continuing sanctions if a comprehensive nuclear agreement with the 5+1 Powers (US, Britain, Germany, France, China, and Russia) is not reached by a November 24 deadline.


Washington Post Journalist Freed on Bail, But Correspondent Rezaian Still in Prison

A female photojournalist working for The Washington Post has been freed on bail after a month in prison; however, the Post’s Tehran correspondent Jason Rezaian and his wife Yeganeh Salehi, who works for The National, are still detained.

The name of the freed photojournalist, who has dual Iranian-American citizenship like Rezaian, is being withheld upon the request of her family.

The three were arrested in a raid on July 22. Charges have not been specified.

A fourth detainee, the husband of a photojournalist — possibly the one released on Wednesday — was freed on July 30.

Rouhani: “We Are Determined” To Reach Nuclear Agreement

Trying to claw back political ground after last week’s denunciation by the Supreme Leader of “useless” talks with the US, President Rouhani said on Thursday that the Government is committed to reaching a comprehensive nuclear agreement with the 5+1 Powers:

We are seriously seeking to resolve the problems in these negotiations. We are determined to achieve results. There is a serious resolve on the part of Iran and we hope that the other party has the same will.

Concluding a tour of Ardebil Province in northwestern Iran, the President explained, “A final deal between Iran and the Group 5+1 will benefit Iran, the Sextet, and the global economy.”

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday that most of the technical details for an agreement had been resolved.

Iran and the 5+1 (US, Britain, Germany, France, China, and Russia) adjourned talks on July 18, agreeing to extend an interim agreement to November 24 and seeking to resume discussions in the autumn.