Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully is preparing to lead a trade mission to Iran amid a thawing of relations between the Islamic republic and the west.

After decades of chanting "Death to America", Iran's rulers have finally embraced a slogan that celebrates life and procreation.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has thanked US Secretary of State John Kerry for his "patient and effective diplomacy" in putting the Iran nuclear deal together.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, has tweeted a graphic that appears to depict US President Barack Obama holding a gun to his head.

The United Nations Security Council - led by New Zealand - has unanimously endorsed the recently struck Iran nuclear deal.

Iran's nuclear deal will allow the republic will to replace hundreds of museum-era jets frozen in time by economic sanctions.

Iran, once OPEC's second-biggest producer, will boost its oil exports by 500,000 barrels a day immediately after sanctions are lifted

Iran and the US have been thrown together in the fight against the Islamic State. Originally reluctant allies, they are now better placed to work in tandem.

The New Zealand Middle East Business Council says they are monitoring "the potential of opening up of trade with Iran".

While the world is distracted by the Greek saga and China something really important is going on: Iran and oil.

Murray McCully said today the nuclear deal between Iran and six major powers was an “important” breakthrough.

Secretary of State John Kerry said yesterday the United States and its negotiating partners "will not rush, and we will not be rushed" into finalising a nuclear deal with Iran.

One of the biggest deals of the decade has just been concluded. Alexander Gillespie discusses Iran's nuclear concessions.

Oil rose after Iran's nuclear accord with world powers left the timing of increased crude supplies from the Opec member uncertain and as Saudi Arabia raised prices for shipments to Asia.

Iran's Foreign Minister said that Tehran would be able to return to its nuclear activities if the West withdraws from a pact that is to be finalised in June.

Pakistan has test-fired a ballistic missile able to carry a nuclear warhead to every part of India. Yesterday's test was another escalation in Islamabad's effort to keep pace with its neighbouring rival's formidable military advancements.

Shades of Silicon Valley are bubbling up in Tehran, which is home to a growing tech ecosystem, despite significant challenges.

The Nobel Prize of mathematics has been awarded to a woman for the first time, which could encourage more young female mathematicians.

At least 40 people are feared dead after small passenger plane crashed while taking off from an airport near the Iranian capital, Tehran.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said that the country is ready to assist Iraq in its battle against extremist Sunni Islamists.

A billionaire businessman that was responsible for the biggest bank fraud Iran has ever seen has been executed, Iranian state media has said.

China carries out more executions than any other country, a new report has estimated.

The Lockerbie bombing was ordered by Iran and carried out by Syrian-based extremists, a former Iranian intelligence officer has admitted.

An Iranian man should be sentenced to having his eyes gouged out after pouring acid over a young girl's face leaving her blind, an Iranian court has ruled.

Iran hopes to use a meeting of Opec oil ministers today as a launch pad for its return as a dominant force in global crude markets after months of sanctions.

New Zealand has welcomed the agreement reached in Geneva yesterday aimed at capping Iran's nuclear programme.