Foreign ministry spokesman Khatibzadeh nonetheless notes 'very significant progress' over previous three weeks of negotiations on lifting of sanctions and guarantees

During lengthy phone conversation with Raisi, French president also calls on Tehran to release jailed researcher

Revolutionary Guard will also participate in exercise that will include night fighting, rescue operations and firefighting drills

Wargame will take place in the northern Indian Ocean, the third such exercise by the three nations

Kremlin says leaders will discuss 'whole range of issues of bilateral cooperation,' including 2015 deal; visit is first by an Iranian president to Russia since 2017

Tehran calls on Washington to 'announce its decisions on removing sanctions and the remaining issues,' predicting this will result in a 'lasting, reliable agreement'

To prepare for either stalemate or an unpopular deal coming out of Vienna talks, US doubles down on message that intractable Iran conflict is a result of Trump's JCPOA withdrawal

British Council announces the release and return of Aras Amiri, amid ongoing negotiations in Vienna between Iran and world powers

'There is a vital urgency on this issue because of Iran's own actions and the trajectory of its nuclear program,' says FM Le Drian

After months of pessimism, both sides are speaking of progress and showing signs of flexibility, but time is short