Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi named Gholamhossein Nozari, a former oil minister of the Islamic republic, as the nation’s candidate for the position of Opec secretary general, the state-run Mehr News agency reported.

Australia said today it has imposed new sanctions against two Iranian companies and an Iranian general to protest against Tehran's nuclear programme.

The Obama administration today slapped new sanctions on several affiliates of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, targeting one person and four companies for penalties over their alleged involvement in producing and spreading weapons of mass destruction.