The Iranian foreign minister reiterates the need for a 'complete and effective removal of US sanctions.'

Tensions are mounting in London and Brussels as Boris Johnson and European Commission boss Ursula von der Leyen 'pause' their all-important telephone discussion on the state of the negotiations after only 90 minutes.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's latest assessment of post-Brexit trade negotiations does not instill confidence that a breakthrough can be achieved in time.

As zero hour fast approaches UK and EU officials are still posturing on the all-important post-Brexit trade deal.

Simon Coveney has injected a small dose of pessimism into the protracted trade talks by effectively ruling out a trade deal this week.

Both the Irish Taoiseach and foreign minister have attacked the British government's subversive attitude on Brexit trade talks.