Iran has said that it has begun loading fuel into the core of the Bushehr nuclear plant. According to the press the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton, will enter into talks with Iran, on 5 December, over its nuclear programme.

On 26th July 2010 Clyde & Co LLP published an article setting out the new Iran sanctions that had been adopted by the European Union Foreign Affairs Council.

Following Iran's nuclear deal, many foreign insurance companies specially from Italy, Germany and from the UK announced their willingness to invest in Iran's insurance industry.

This week former Iranian President Rafsanjani, implicitly criticised President Ahmadinejad for failing to take the latest sanctions seriously.

Last week saw the Council of the EU strengthen its position on Iran in the wake of similar US measures over the summer.

One of the main issues concerning sanctions regimes is the uncertainty as to where the boundary lies between prohibited and permitted activities.

Despite huge hydrocarbons reserves, Iran is likely to face significant energy challenges over the next few years.