Iran installs new, advanced centrifuges in response to IAEA resolution

Speaker of the Parliament of Iran Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reportedly announced on Sunday that Iran began to install a series of new and cutting-edge centrifuges in response to a resolution which was advanced by the United States, Britain, France and Germany and passed by the United Nations nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

On Sunday night, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei announced that Iran will hold talks at the deputy foreign minister level with Britain, France and Germany on Friday, with a focus on bilateral, as well as regional situations such as the Palestinian-Israeli issue, the Lebanese issue, and the Iranian nuclear issue.

Regarding its nuclear issue, the Iranian government has repeatedly stressed that the IAEA, as a non-political international organization, should not be subject to the political influence of some countries, and should adhere to professionalism and technicality to solve relevant issues with Iran.

The deputy chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian Parliament said that European countries are trying to create tensions with Iran on the nuclear issue. Iran will not accept any conditions under pressure, nor will it compromise on Iran's national interests in the negotiations. In addition, he emphasized that Iran is also willing to stop the other party's misunderstanding and misjudgment through dialog and negotiation.

Also on Sunday, Ali Larijani, a senior adviser to the country's supreme leader, said in an interview that Iranian military officials are formulating plans and programs to respond to Israel's aggression. Regarding the situation in Lebanon and Israel, he pointed out that Hezbollah in Lebanon has become a missile maker, and it is impossible to eliminate Hezbollah from the political environment in Lebanon.

This month, Larijani visited Syria and Lebanon to consult on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Israeli-Lebanese conflict.

Analysts pointed out that Larijani's visit is intended to convey a message that Iran will continue to firmly support resistance forces in Lebanon, Syria and other regions, and will continue to resist Israel's aggression against many countries across the region.

Iran installs new, advanced centrifuges in response to IAEA resolution

Imports of fresh-cut flowers from Ecuador have surged in China, spurred by the China-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that came into effect on May 1 this year.

The deal, inked in May 2023, stipulates that approximately 90 percent of the products traded between China and Ecuador would be exempted from tariffs, with about 60 percent of these products enjoying immediate zero tariffs.

At the Beijing Capital International Airport, a consignment of Ecuadorian roses passed smoothly through customs via a dedicated "green channel" for perishables.

"This shipment of flowers arrived at the Beijing Capital International Airport at around 03:00 this morning. If importers request expedited processing, we can initiate inspections right away, completing all clearance formalities in about an hour from the time the flowers are offloaded," said Huang Penglei, a customs officer.

As the day breaks, Beijing's flower markets come alive with buyers in search of sought-after varieties, such as New Zealand peonies, South African proteas, and Ecuadorian roses.

The FTA has set in motion a gradual reduction of tariffs on Ecuadorian fresh-cut flowers from 10 percent to zero over a five-year period.

Customs data reveals that from June to August alone, Beijing imported 136,000 Ecuadorian roses, up 41.1 percent year on year.

"The tariff [on Ecuadorian fresh-cut flowers] has dropped from 10 percent to 8 percent. This reduction allows us to offer better prices, which we directly pass on to consumers," said Song Xiaochen, a flower importer.

The trade pact extends to other Ecuadorian products, including bananas and coffee, with tariffs on these products also set to phase out to zero in coming years.

Lower tariffs have improved price competitiveness, boosting business for logistics companies.

Ecuadorian flower imports bloom in China under new trade deal