The deal to curb Iran's nuclear weapons programme came at the end of two years of an intricate ballet, involving United States President Barack Obama and leaders of six other countries.

The New Zealand Middle East Business Council says they are monitoring "the potential of opening up of trade with Iran".

While the world is distracted by the Greek saga and China something really important is going on: Iran and oil.

Murray McCully said today the nuclear deal between Iran and six major powers was an “important” breakthrough.

Secretary of State John Kerry said yesterday the United States and its negotiating partners "will not rush, and we will not be rushed" into finalising a nuclear deal with Iran.

One of the biggest deals of the decade has just been concluded. Alexander Gillespie discusses Iran's nuclear concessions.

Oil rose after Iran's nuclear accord with world powers left the timing of increased crude supplies from the Opec member uncertain and as Saudi Arabia raised prices for shipments to Asia.

Iran's Foreign Minister said that Tehran would be able to return to its nuclear activities if the West withdraws from a pact that is to be finalised in June.

The site in Mecca where the Prophet Muhammad is said to have been born is about to be "buried under marble" and replaced by a huge royal palace.

Shades of Silicon Valley are bubbling up in Tehran, which is home to a growing tech ecosystem, despite significant challenges.

The Nobel Prize of mathematics has been awarded to a woman for the first time, which could encourage more young female mathematicians.

At least 40 people are feared dead after small passenger plane crashed while taking off from an airport near the Iranian capital, Tehran.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said that the country is ready to assist Iraq in its battle against extremist Sunni Islamists.

A billionaire businessman that was responsible for the biggest bank fraud Iran has ever seen has been executed, Iranian state media has said.

China carries out more executions than any other country, a new report has estimated.

The Lockerbie bombing was ordered by Iran and carried out by Syrian-based extremists, a former Iranian intelligence officer has admitted.

Iran hopes to use a meeting of Opec oil ministers today as a launch pad for its return as a dominant force in global crude markets after months of sanctions.

New Zealand has welcomed the agreement reached in Geneva yesterday aimed at capping Iran's nuclear programme.

Iran has struck a historic nuclear deal with the US and five other world powers, after more than three decades of estrangement,

Iran nuclear talks entered a delicate phase as negotiators tried to fine-tune a draft agreement that would limit Tehran's atomic program in return for easing some sanctions.

Iran's supreme leader has voiced support for the negotiations over his country's nuclear program, but insisted there are limits to the concessions Iran will make in exchange for an easing of the sanctions choking its economy.

An attempt by Iran's reformist President, Hassan Rouhani, to abolish the chant "Death to America" as part of his drive to improve relations with the West has angered hardliners.

With PowerPoint slides and feel-good phrases, Iranian negotiators presented world powers with what they said was a plan to break a decade of deadlock over Tehran's nuclear program.

Britain and Iran are to take a first step towards re-opening their respective embassies, Foreign Secretary William Hague says, adding that Tehran's new leadership is presenting itself "in a much more positive way than in the recent past."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu played the spoiler to Iran's attempts to ease relations with the West, calling the Iranian leader "a wolf in sheep's clothing".