When Austria-based energy company OMV AG (OMV.VI) saw a chance to develop a lucrative Iranian gas field in April, it jumped at the $18 billion deal despite strong opposition from the US.

Triple-champions Iran survived a scare against the Uzbeks in Kuala Lumpur as they kicked off their drive for a first Asian Cup title in 31 years.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mehdi Mostafavi expressed the hope that the nuclear standoff between his country and the West would be ended during the current visit to Tehran by a delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).