Western parties to the JCPOA, and now to the JCPOA-revival talks, have waged a media war on Iran, depicting Tehran as carrying all blame for the talks dragging on and maybe failing.

The US has just banned Russian energy imports, but a whirlwind diplomatic tour by their secretary of state has failed to convince Europe to do the same.

US gasoline prices have surged by 11 percent in the past week to reach a 13-year high as Western sanctions on Russia over its military operation in Ukraine continue to disrupt the global energy market.

The US nuclear power industry is reportedly lobbying the Biden administration to permit continued import of uranium from Russia despite the growing conflict in Ukraine, citing the cheap supply of the fuel as key to maintaining low electricity prices in the country.

US President Joe Biden tries to bolster huge but yet ineffective Western sanctions against Russia over its military operation in Ukraine, by claiming the only alternative would be to start a “Third World War.”

China and Russia strongly denounce fresh sanctions on their companies and entities.

US President Joe Biden says he does not seek to escalate tensions with Russia, but warns their actions have consequences.

President Vladimir Putin says Western powers are exploiting the case of detained opposition figure Alexei Navalny to “contain” Moscow.

Russia accuses the associates of opposition figure Alexei Navalny of treason for pushing the West to consider possible sanctions against the Kremlin over his imprisonment.

British Prime Minister Theresa May has welcomed a G7 statement that recognized the need to maintain sanctions on Russia.