{"id":61968,"date":"2026-05-15T06:38:32","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T10:38:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/bt-group-revives-global-unit-sale-iran-signals-nuclear-negotiation-delay\/61968\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T06:38:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T10:38:32","slug":"bt-group-revives-global-unit-sale-iran-signals-nuclear-negotiation-delay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/bt-group-revives-global-unit-sale-iran-signals-nuclear-negotiation-delay\/61968\/","title":{"rendered":"BT Group Revives Global Unit Sale; Iran Signals Nuclear Negotiation Delay"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/bt-group-revives-global-unit-sale-iran-signals-nuclear-negotiation-delay\/61968\/#Key_Takeaways\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/bt-group-revives-global-unit-sale-iran-signals-nuclear-negotiation-delay\/61968\/#BT_Group_Resumes_Search_for_Global_Unit_Partner\" >BT Group Resumes Search for Global Unit Partner<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/bt-group-revives-global-unit-sale-iran-signals-nuclear-negotiation-delay\/61968\/#Iran_Signals_Strategic_Pause_in_Nuclear_Talks\" >Iran Signals Strategic Pause in Nuclear Talks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/bt-group-revives-global-unit-sale-iran-signals-nuclear-negotiation-delay\/61968\/#Italy_Weighs_Intervention_in_Ferretti_Board_Dispute\" >Italy Weighs Intervention in Ferretti Board Dispute<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/bt-group-revives-global-unit-sale-iran-signals-nuclear-negotiation-delay\/61968\/#Escalation_in_South_Lebanon_Amid_Washington_Talks\" >Escalation in South Lebanon Amid Washington Talks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/bt-group-revives-global-unit-sale-iran-signals-nuclear-negotiation-delay\/61968\/#Trump_Promotes_400_Million_Ballroom_Project\" >Trump Promotes $400 Million Ballroom Project<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/bt-group-revives-global-unit-sale-iran-signals-nuclear-negotiation-delay\/61968\/#Starmer_Faces_Union_Pressure_in_UK_Leadership_Crisis\" >Starmer Faces Union Pressure in UK Leadership Crisis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>BT Group (<a href=\"\/stock\/BT.A.L\">BT.A.L<\/a>) is reviving talks with global telecom giants AT&amp;T (<a href=\"\/stock\/T\">T<\/a>) and Verizon (<a href=\"\/stock\/VZ\">VZ<\/a>)<\/strong> for a potential sale or partnership of its struggling international Global unit, which accounts for approximately <strong>11% of company revenue<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Iran has officially deferred nuclear file negotiations<\/strong> to a later stage, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi citing a &quot;pause&quot; in the process while welcoming <strong>China&#39;s assistance<\/strong> in stabilizing regional tensions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Italy is assessing the use of &quot;Golden Power&quot;<\/strong> to intervene in yacht maker Ferretti (<a href=\"\/stock\/YCHT.MI\">YCHT.MI<\/a>) following a board battle where the Chinese group Weichai maintained control over the objections of Czech investors.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Israel has launched a wave of airstrikes on Hezbollah<\/strong> infrastructure in Tyre, South Lebanon, complicating ongoing US-mediated ceasefire talks currently taking place in Washington.<\/li>\n<li><strong>UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a leadership crisis<\/strong> as union general secretaries meet to discuss a transition timetable following devastating local election results.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"BT_Group_Resumes_Search_for_Global_Unit_Partner\"><\/span>BT Group Resumes Search for Global Unit Partner<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>BT Group (<a href=\"\/stock\/BT.A.L\">BT.A.L<\/a>) has reportedly re-engaged with major telecommunications operators, including AT&amp;T (<a href=\"\/stock\/T\">T<\/a>), Verizon (<a href=\"\/stock\/VZ\">VZ<\/a>), and Orange (<a href=\"\/stock\/ORAN\">ORAN<\/a>), to explore a divestment or strategic partnership for its international operations. The Global unit has faced persistent challenges, with revenue recently declining by <strong>9.9% to approximately \u00a31.1 billion ($1.4 billion)<\/strong>. Bankers from Lazard (<a href=\"\/stock\/LAZ\">LAZ<\/a>) and Goldman Sachs (<a href=\"\/stock\/GS\">GS<\/a>) are expected to advise on the deal, which aims to streamline BT&#39;s portfolio to focus on its core UK market.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Iran_Signals_Strategic_Pause_in_Nuclear_Talks\"><\/span>Iran Signals Strategic Pause in Nuclear Talks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed on Friday that a &quot;tame&quot; understanding has been reached to <strong>delay the nuclear file<\/strong> in ongoing negotiations to a later stage. While Araghchi noted that Pakistan\u2019s mediation efforts are facing significant challenges, he praised <strong>China\u2019s role<\/strong> in improving the situation. This diplomatic shift occurs as Tehran seeks sanctions relief in exchange for a multi-stage peace proposal that prioritizes ending the current regional conflict over immediate nuclear concessions.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Italy_Weighs_Intervention_in_Ferretti_Board_Dispute\"><\/span>Italy Weighs Intervention in Ferretti Board Dispute<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Italian Industry Minister announced that the government is assessing a request to exercise <strong>&quot;Golden Power&quot;<\/strong> over yacht manufacturer Ferretti (<a href=\"\/stock\/YCHT.MI\">YCHT.MI<\/a>). The move follows a contentious Annual General Meeting where China\u2019s Weichai Group (39% stake) defeated a board slate proposed by Czech billionaire Karel Kom\u00e1rek\u2019s KKCG Maritime (23% stake). The government&#39;s interest is triggered by the <strong>Ferretti Security Division (FSD)<\/strong>, which supplies dual-use vessels to the Italian Navy and security forces.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Escalation_in_South_Lebanon_Amid_Washington_Talks\"><\/span>Escalation in South Lebanon Amid Washington Talks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have commenced targeted strikes on <strong>Hezbollah infrastructure in Tyre<\/strong>, South Lebanon, following the issuance of evacuation warnings for several coastal villages. The escalation comes despite the second day of US-brokered negotiations in Washington intended to finalize a lasting ceasefire. Hezbollah has reportedly responded with <strong>explosive drone strikes<\/strong> in northern Israel, though no immediate injuries were reported.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Trump_Promotes_400_Million_Ballroom_Project\"><\/span>Trump Promotes $400 Million Ballroom Project<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In the United States, President Donald Trump has announced that construction on a new <strong>White House ballroom<\/strong> is ahead of schedule, with a projected opening in <strong>September 2028<\/strong>. Trump defended the estimated <strong>$400 million cost<\/strong>, comparing the project to facilities in China and praising Chinese President Xi Jinping as &quot;one of the world&#39;s great leaders.&quot; The project has faced domestic criticism regarding its necessity and the destruction of historic sections of the White House&#39;s East Wing.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Starmer_Faces_Union_Pressure_in_UK_Leadership_Crisis\"><\/span>Starmer Faces Union Pressure in UK Leadership Crisis<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is fighting to maintain his authority as <strong>union general secretaries<\/strong> meet virtually to discuss his political future. Sources suggest that while unions may not seek an immediate exit, they are demanding a clear timetable for a leadership transition. Internal party focus has shifted toward the <strong>Makerfield by-election<\/strong>, with some factions viewing Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as a critical &quot;best player&quot; for the party&#39;s future electoral prospects.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways BT Group (BT.A.L) is reviving talks with global telecom giants AT&amp;T (T) and Verizon (VZ) for a potential 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