Iran Nuclear Talks Enter Critical Phase as Banks Hit by Cyberattack

Efforts to resolve the more than three-month-old conflict between the US and Iran are entering a crucial phase, with Qatari negotiators arriving in Tehran to finalize a framework agreement.

While US and Pakistani officials have hinted at a possible deal as early as Sunday, the Iranian side remains cautious and has questioned the proposed timetable. Opposition is also growing in some conservative circles in Iran, where there is resistance to any concessions to Washington.

The negotiations have been accompanied by a cyberattack on four major Iranian banks, including Bank Melli and Bank Tejarat. According to Iranian authorities, the attackers targeted the financial institutions' shared communications infrastructure, temporarily limiting some services. Authorities said no client data had been leaked or deleted and that technical teams were working to restore full operations.

(reuters, mja)