-Kenzo

PLANO, Texas, Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) today reported December 2020 sales of 249,601 vehicles, an increase of 20.4 percent on a volume basis and up 7.5 percent on a daily selling rate (DSR) basis compared to December 2019. For calendar year 2020, TMNA reported sales of 2,112,941 vehicles, a decrease of 11.3 percent on a volume and a decrease of 11.9 percent on a DSR basis. Toyota division posted December sales of 211,378 vehicles, up 22.9 percent on a volume basis and up 9.7 percent on a DSR basis. For the year, Toyota reported sales of 1,837,900 vehicles, down 11.9 percent on a volume basis and down 12.4 percent on a DSR basis. Lexus division posted December sales of 38,223 vehicles, up 8.2 percent on a volume basis and down 3.4 percent on a DSR basis. For the year, Lexus reported sales of 275,041 vehicles, down 7.7 percent on a volume basis and down 8.3 percent on a DSR basis. December 2020 and Year-End Highlights TMNA: Number one manufacturer of alternative vehicles sales – hybrids, electrified vehicles, fuel cells – for 21 consecutive years December hybrid sales totaled 50,649 vehicles, an increase of 82.8 percent 2020 hybrid sales totaled 337,036 vehicles, an increase of 22.7 percent Hybrid sales represented nearly 16 percent of TMNA's 2020 sales volume With the addition of the all-new Sienna, Venza and Mirai, TMNA now offers 14 hybrids, electrified and fuel cell vehicles in its lineup Toyota Division: Number one retail brand for the 9th consecutive year Division's hybrid sales doubled in December; up 26.7 percent in 2020 Camry best-selling passenger car in the U.S. for 19th consecutive year RAV4 best-selling SUV in the U.S. for 4th consecutive year Tacoma best-selling small pickup for 16th consecutive year; December sales up 39.7 percent Sienna December sales up 45.2 percent Pickup sales up 39.5 percent in December Tundra December sales up 39.1 percent SUV sales up 28.5 percent in December All-time best-ever December: division light vehicle sales, division hybrid sales, division light trucks sales, total Highlander, total Rav4, Highlander hybrid, Corolla hybrid, Tacoma, 4Runner All-time best-ever month: Tacoma, 4Runner, Highlander hybrid, RAV4 Prime, Corolla hybrid, total hybrid sales, total light truck sales Lexus Division: December sales of 38,223 vehicles represents the best month in 2020 Luxury utility vehicles (LUV) best-ever December sales of 29,578 vehicle Passenger cars December sales up 14 percent, represent the best month in 2020 December hybrid sales of 5,730 vehicles represents an all-time best-ever month Total Lexus division hybrid sales up nearly 2 percent in 2020 UX and UX hybrid sales best-ever sales year December best sales month in 2020: Total RX, total NX, GX, LX, IS, ES, LC, UX Note: Unless otherwise stated, all figures reflect unadjusted raw sales volume About Toyota Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships. Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly employs more than 36,000 in the U.S. The company has contributed world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 30 million cars and trucks at our 9 manufacturing plants, 10 including our joint venture in Alabama that begins production in 2021. To help inspire the next generation for a career in STEM-based fields, including mobility, Toyota launched its virtual education hub at www.TourToyota.com with an immersive experience and chance to visit many of our U.S. manufacturing facilities. The hub also includes a series of free STEM-based lessons and curriculum through Toyota USA Foundation partners, virtual field trips and more. For more information about Toyota,

Your lifestyle affects your overall health. Minor day to day activities like how much you move in a day leave an impact on your mental and physical health in more than one way. A sedentary lifestyle not only leads to weight gain but also leaves a negative effect on your mental health. You might be surprised to know that making simple lifestyle changes can lift your mood and help you ensure better mental health. It is essential to make dietary changes as well. Keep reading as Dr. Samant Darshi who is a Psychiatrist explains the impact of diet and lifestyle on mental health and what changes one should make. Lifestyle changes for better mood and mental health Dr. Darshi says, "Lifestyle factors like amount or quality of food consumed, levels of physical activity, alcohol or tobacco consumption and access to a healthy environment are intricately connected with mental health." He further tells what changes one should make to safeguard mental health- 1. Regular exercising has been associated with mental, social and medical benefits. It reduces peripheral risk factors like diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease thereby acting as a protective factor against psychiatric and neurological ailments. Physical activity has preventive and therapeutic mental health benefits. It has a positive impact on brain functions as well. It improves neuroplasticity thereby enhancing learning and memory. Exercise has a positive impact on your mood and mental health Photo Credit: iStock 2. Exercise also leads to an increase in levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and other growth factors which enhance cognitive functions and shields against depression. BDNF is the same neurotrophic factor that antidepressants upregulate. Also read: Ways To Fight Depression 3. The food you eat is associated with your mood, behaviour and cognition. Dietary recommendations are particularly relevant when it comes to mental health care as many dietary elements are neuroprotective. 4. Supplementation offers valuable prophylactic and therapeutic benefits for mental health. Research has suggested the importance of vitamin D, folic acid and essential omega-3 fatty acids. Supplementation might also be crucial as lower omega-3 levels in tissue are correlated with greater symptom severity in both affective disorders like depression and schizophrenia. Also read: Eat More Fruits And Vegetables To Fight Anxiety; Here's A List Of Foods You Must Add To Your Diet 5. Reduce the consumption of alcohol and quit smoking. These unhealthy habits play a significant role in deteriorating your mental health. Reduce consumption alcohol and tobacco use for better health Photo Credit: iStock 6. Today's fast-paced life also contributes to a lot of stress which is more harmful than you think. Try stress management strategies for a healthy mind and body. 7. Focus on activities you love. These will have you reduce stress and leave a relaxing effect on your brain. Also read: Here's How You Can Manage Panic Attacks If you experience symptoms any mental health issue and are finding it hard to efficiently complete day to day tasks, do not hesitate to seek help from an expert. Promoted Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com (Dr. Samant Darshi is a Consultant Psychiatrist at Psymate ,Noida) CommentsDisclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

PARIS (AP) — As the world watched American institutions shaken to the core by an angry mob, officials and ordinary citizens wondered: How fragile is democracy, and how much stress could their own political systems withstand? “If it can happen in the U.S., it can happen anywhere,” said Gunjan Chhibber, a 39-year-old who works for an American tech company in India, the world’s largest democracy. She stayed up all night, watching and worrying at her home in Delhi as the chaos unfolded many time zones away. In Germany, whose modern system of governance was nurtured by successive American administrations, Chancellor Angela Merkel was unusually blunt Thursday, drawing a direct line from President Donald Trump’s refusal to concede his election defeat to the atmosphere that made the storming of the U.S. Capitol by his supporters possible. “A fundamental rule of democracy is that, after elections, there are winners and losers. Both have to play their role with decency and responsibility so that democracy itself remains the winner,” Merkel said. Eva Sakschewska, a German who followed the news closely, said the events in Washington were almost inconceivable. “You can only fear how far this can go when populists come to power and do such things,” she said. “You know that in the U.S., democracy has a long history and that it comes to something like that – yes one is afraid.” Even the United Nations offered up the kind of statement usually reserved for fragile democracies, expressing sadness and calling on unidentified political leaders to foster respect for “democratic processes and the rule of law.” In Iraq, where the violent U.S.-led overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003 led to years of sectarian conflict and a deeply flawed democracy, many watched and marveled at the scenes unfolding in Congress. Iraqis have suffered for years under power-sharing arrangements among competing elites divided along sectarian lines. Backroom deals are common to avoid political paralysis, and democratic ideals have been tainted by an entrenched system of patronage through which state jobs are doled out in exchange for support. Political parties also have affiliated militias that wield significant power on the street. From afar, the violence in Washington had a contemptible familiarity. “Iraq calls on the U.S. regime to respect the principles of democracy, or it will intervene militarily to bring down the dictator,” said Mustafa Habib, a well-known Iraqi analyst and researcher, in a tweet that mocked Washington's actions abroad. Venezuela, which is under U.S. sanctions, said the events showed that the U.S. “is suffering what it has generated in other countries with its politics of aggression.” Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has survived U.S.-backed opposition efforts to oust him despite accusations of human rights abuses, civil unrest and a humanitarian crisis that has forced millions to flee the oil-rich country. “We exported so much democracy that we don’t have any left,” American-Palestinian scholar Yousef Monayyer wrote on Twitter, the social network favored by Trump until he was locked out of it late Wednesday. His comment joined the growing strain of sarcasm bordering on schadenfreude from those who have long resented the perceived American tendency to chastise other countries for less-than-perfect adherence to democratic ideals. This time, however, it was an attempt by Americans to stop a peaceful transition of power to President-elect Joe Biden after a democratic election in a country that many around the world have looked at as a model for democratic governance. In China, which has had constant friction with Washington over trade, as well as military and political issues, people were scathing in their criticism of Trump and his supporters, citing both the coronavirus pandemic and the mob action. Communist-ruled China has long accused the U.S. of hypocrisy in its efforts to promote democracy and advocate for human rights overseas. The Communist Youth League ran a photo montage of the Capitol violence on its Twitter-like Weibo microblog with the caption: “On the sixth, the U.S. Congress, a most beautiful site to behold.” That appeared to mock House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for her June 2019 comments in praise of sometimes- violent anti-government protests in Hong Kong. “The U.S. is not as safe as China, right? I think Trump is a self-righteous and selfish person,” said financial adviser Yang Ming. Iran, which faces routine U.S. criticism over violations of human rights and democratic values, jumped on the chaos as proof of American hypocrisy. The semiofficial Fars news agency called the United States a “fragmented democracy,” while Iran’s pro-government Twitter accounts gloated, circulating photos of the mobs with hashtags that included #DownfalloftheUS. The events tarnished the American insistence that it is a bastion of democracy for countries that have only in recent decades, in some cases, given up autocratic or military-controlled forms of government. “The beauty of democracy?” with a shrug emoji was the reaction tweeted by Bashir Ahmad, a personal assistant to the president of Nigeria, which has seen several coups since independence — including one led decades ago by President Muhammadu Buhari, who was elected to office in 2015. Some legislatures in Asia — South Korea and Taiwan, for instance — have at times been marred by brawls and screaming matches, but democracies throughout the region are normally staid versions of European and American lawmaking models. “This is shocking. I hope this will serve as chance for the Americans to review their democracy,” said Na HyunPil at the Korean House for International Solidarity, a Seoul-based NGO. “Trump is entirely responsible for this incident. After his four-year rule, the Americans find it difficult to tell other countries that their country is a good model for democracy.” Several countries, both U.S. allies and antagonists, issued travel warnings to their citizens, although with coronavirus infections soaring in the United States, arrivals from abroad are down to a trickle. Ally after ally expressed shock, followed by affirmations that U.S. democratic institutions would withstand the turmoil. “All my life, America has stood for some very important things: an idea of freedom and an idea of democracy," said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. “Insofar as he encouraged people to storm the Capitol, and insofar as the president has consistently cast doubt on the outcome of a free and fair election, I believe that was completely wrong.” But some, like European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, warned that the attempt to halt a peaceful transition in what many consider the world's oldest democracy showed that no place is immune and that backsliding is reversed only with difficulty. “Democracy is never self-evident. It has to be worked on each and every day. It has to be won anew every day. And that applies to all democracies," she told German news outlets. And that’s why we know that it starts as a very small thing.” For others, less friendly, it was portrayed as a last gasp and one that belonged solely to Americans themselves. “American democracy is obviously limping on both feet,” said Konstantin Kosachev, head of the foreign affairs committee in Russia’s upper house of parliament. “I say this without a shadow of gloating. America no longer charts a course and therefore has lost all rights to set it — and even more so to impose it on others.”

Bentley Motors sold a record number of its luxury sedans and SUVs last year as the rest of the auto industry struggled to stem losses from the coronavirus pandemic, the 101-year-old carmaker said Tuesday. The Volkswagen-owned company sold 11,206 vehicles in 2020 — despite a seven-week closure of its factory in England during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic last spring. The company sold 11,006 cars in 2019. Bentley sells some of the most expensive and rare cars in the world. Its entry-level SUV, the Bentayga, starts at around $180,000, while its most exclusive model, the Mulliner Bacalar, sells for around $2 million. Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark said he is “cautiously optimistic” regarding business in 2021 “as much remains uncertain,” according to a press release. He said last year’s sales record is a “strong measure” of the company’s potential as it pivots to become a fully electric car company by 2030. Sales in the Americas rose by 4.2% and remained Bentley’s top market in 2020, but its growth came from a whopping 48.5% sales jump in China. The two markets accounted for 53% of Bentley’s sales in 2020, according to the company. That offset sales declines in the United Kingdom, Europe and the Middle East in 2020.

Samsung Electronics unveiled today its 2021 portfolio of Neo QLED, MICRO LED and Lifestyle TV displays during its first-ever virtual First Look event ahead of CES 2021. The new line underscores Samsung’s commitment to accessibility, sustainability, and innovation with new advancements that help redefine the role of television in consumer homes. “During the past year, we have witnessed the pivotal role technology played in helping us carry on with our lives and stay connected with each other,” said JH Han, President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our commitment to an inclusive and sustainable future goes hand-in-hand with our relentless pursuit for innovation to meet consumers’ ever-changing needs – from reducing the carbon footprint of our products, to providing a suite of accessibility features, to offering an unparalleled viewing experience that fits each user’s lifestyle.” A Sustainable and Accessible Future for All Over the next few years, Samsung will embark on a journey of “Going Green” in aligning TV business operations through the following long-term sustainability programs: Reducing Carbon Footprint and Improving Energy Efficiency: Samsung will seek to systematically decrease its overall carbon footprint in TV manufacturing. The company will also seek to lower user power consumption and use more recycled materials across its entire TV line. Sustainable Packaging Design: Building on valuable consumer feedback, Samsung is expanding its award-winning ‘Eco-packaging’ design to all 2021 Lifestyle TVs and most of the 2021 Neo QLED line. This sustainable solution can upcycle up to 200,000 tons of corrugated boxes each year.1 By minimizing text and graphic imagery on the Eco-packaging, the oil-based ink from color printing that’s traditionally used on TV boxes is eliminated, helping to further reduce waste. Solar Cell Remote Control: In 2021, Samsung TVs will come with a solar-powered remote control that can be recharged by indoor light, outdoor light or USB—a first-of-its-kind innovation for the brand. This will help prevent waste from a projected 99 million AAA batteries over seven years.2 To construct the remote, Samsung innovated manufacturing process that upcycles plastics from recyclable bottles –including 24% recycled content.3 Samsung’s 2021 accessibility features – now available on all 2021 QLED and Neo QLED models – bring the latest advances in technology and Artificial Intelligence(AI) to help more people comfortably enjoy their TV experience. The 2021 line adds new features such as Caption Moving, Sign Language Zoom and Multi-Output Audio, giving those with the hard of hearing, the deaf, people with low vision, and the blind the ability to optimize their viewing to their needs and preferences. By 2022, Samsung is committing to expand its Voice Guide feature—which provides audio guidance for people with the deaf and people with low vision. And Samsung will continue to develop new AI based features to enhance the accessibility of Samsung TVs in the years to come. Neo QLED Takes a Quantum Leap in TV Display Technology Samsung is introducing a whole new display technology, Neo QLED, to its flagship 8K (QN900A) and 4K (QN90A) models. Samsung is taking QLED to the next level enabled by new light source, Quantum Mini LED precisely controlled by Quantum Matrix Technology and Neo Quantum Processor, a powerful picture processor optimized for Neo QLED. Samsung designed the Quantum Mini LED to be 1/40 the height of a conventional LED. Instead of using a lens to disperse light, and a package to fix the LED in place, the Quantum Mini LED has incredibly thin micro layers filled with many more LEDs. Quantum Matrix Technology enables ultra-fine and precise control of the densely packed LEDs, preventing blooming—and allowing viewers to enjoy content as its meant to be seen. Neo QLED increases the luminance scale to 12-bit with 4096 steps; this helps make dark areas darker and bright areas brighter, resulting in a more precise and immersive HDR experience. And Neo QLED benefits from Samsung’s proprietary, powerful Neo Quantum Processor with enhanced upscaling capabilities. By using up to 16 different neural network models, each trained in AI upscaling and deep learning technology, the Neo Quantum Processor can optimize picture quality to 4K and 8K picture output regardless of the input quality. Samsung’s 2021 Neo QLED 8K features a new Infinity One Design—a nearly bezel-less screen providing an even more immersive viewing experience in a sleek design and form factor. And Neo QLED 8K’s attachable Slim One Connect box—an all-new cable management system that can be attached to the TV’s back—allows for an easier install and cleaner aesthetic. The 2021 Neo QLED 8K also packs in several premium, room-filling audio features; Object Tracking Sound (OTS) Pro’s dynamic sound corresponds to the movement of objects on screen, and SpaceFit Sound analyzes the installed TV’s physical environment and outputs immersive sound tailored specifically to your space. Samsung’s 2021 Neo QLED 8K and 4K models offer smart features that expand the role of the TV and help consumers meet their changing needs when it comes to fitness, entertainment and the home office. Samsung Health seamlessly transforms the home into a personal gym, and the new Smart Trainer feature tracks and analyzes posture in real time, just like a personal trainer. During and post-workout, Smart Trainer provides feedback on form, helps you count your reps, and estimates calories burned. With video and interactive training via Bixby-enabled voice control, Samsung Health Smart Trainer elevates and personalizes the home workout experience. With two new exclusive features, Samsung is delivering the ultimate TV gaming experience. Super Ultrawide GameView gives gamers the option to play not only at the wide 21:9 aspect ratio, but even at the ultrawide 32:9 ratio. The wider field of view ensures gamers don’t miss a moment of the action. And Game Bar lets players quickly monitor and adjust critical aspects of play—whether that’s switching aspect ratios, checking input lag, or connecting a headset. Finally, FreeSync Premium Pro minimizes stuttering so players enjoy smooth picture quality throughout gameplay. With Google Duo, consumers can use their phone to initiate a high-quality, high-speed video call that up to 32 people can join—no matter which operating system they’re using. With Google Duo app, you can make video calls directly through an optional USB-connected And with smart camera solution, the camera can follow your movements. It will automatically zoom in and out so you’re just the right size, always in focus. PC on TV on Samsung devices allows consumers to connect a PC to the TV, enabling working and learning from home through the TV screen with a connected mouse, keyboard, and PC. Consumers can also directly access MS Office 365 through the TV’s web browser to create and edit documents. Simply install an Easy Connection app on your computer and log into your Samsung Account—and your TV will automatically connect to your PC, making working from the living room seamless. Opening a New Era of Breathtaking Picture Quality and Design With MICRO LED In 2021, the promise of Micro LED comes home. With the new MICRO LED line, Samsung has made Micro LED available in a traditional TV form factor for the first time—bringing consumers a breathtaking visual experience on an ultra-large next-generation screen. Available in 110’’, 99’’, and smaller sizes by the end of the year, the new MICRO LED line uses micrometer-sized LED lights to eliminate the backlight and color filters utilized in conventional displays. It is self-illuminating, producing stunningly lifelike colors and brightness through its 24 million individually controlled LEDs. And with a Monolith Design defined by over 99% screen-to-body ratio, all you will see is the breathtaking picture quality. Samsung has innovated its Smart TV features to take advantage of the new MICRO LED line’s massive screen. For example, consumers can use the 4Vue(Quad View) feature to comfortably watch up to four different content sources simultaneously on one screen. Viewers can connect multiple external devices to keep up with multiple playoff games at once, or stream a walkthrough while playing a video game—all in stunning quality and size. Finally, the new MICRO LED’s dynamic audio experience is just as immersive as its visuals. With Majestic Sound, it delivers breathtaking 5.1 channel sound with no external speaker—transforming any room into a luxurious home theater. Enhancing the Award-Winning Lifestyle TV Portfolio Samsung is also making enhancements to its 2021 Lifestyle TV line with new design and form factors to reflect the changing interests and tastes of consumers. Since launching in 2017, The Frame has redefined the television, transforming displays into stunning works of art, with over one million units sold. The 2021 version builds on The Frame’s innovative legacy, offering a more customizable experience in a slimmer form. The Frame is about half thinner4 compared to previous iterations, mirroring the depth of a traditional picture frame. New attachable bezel options come in five color options and two different customizable styles—Modern and Beveled—to match the aesthetic of whatever room The Frame is in. With a subscription to The Frame’s all-new Art Store, consumers will be able to enjoy 1,400+ carefully curated pieces. Samsung’s new AI-based auto-curation technology better analyzes individual consumer preferences to recommend artwork. With near-endless options for customization, Samsung’s lifestyle TV portfolio including The Frame, The Serif, The Sero, The Terrace and The Premiere immediately upgrade the décor of any home.

Fiat Chrysler narrowed its sales losses in the fourth quarter but not enough to avoid what is expected to be one of the worst declines in the auto industry for 2020. The Italian-American automaker’s U.S. sales tumbled 17.4% last year compared with 2019, the company said Tuesday. Sales weren’t quite as bad in the fourth quarter, falling 7.9% compared with the same time in 2019. That’s worse than the rest of the industry, which is expected to report a 15% drop in sales last year due to the coronavirus pandemic once all automakers release their sales results. Fiat Chrysler’s largest crosstown rival, General Motors, earlier in the day reported an 11.8% decline in its sales for 2020, while Ford Motor is expected to report its sales Wednesday morning. Toyota Motor reported its U.S. sales declined 11.2% last year compared with 2019, while Nissan Motor said its sales cratered 33.2%. Fiat Chrysler said its sales decline was largely due to lower sales to commercial fleet customers. Fourth-quarter sales to retail customers actually rose a bit, by 1%. The company declined to release its retail sales or fleet sales for the year. There were few bright spots for Fiat Chrysler’s sales in 2020. Its niche Italian luxury brand Alfa Romeo was the only division to report an increase for the year, up 1.6%. Aside from an 8.9% increase for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio crossover and nearly doubling sales of the Jeep Gladiator pickup, every other vehicle in the automaker’s six-brand lineup was down for the year. Sales of its highly important Ram pickup ended last year down 11.1% compared with 2019. “The fourth quarter provided a strong springboard heading into 2021. Looking ahead, we anticipate an exciting year that will include a variety of new vehicles,” Jeff Kommor, Fiat Chrysler’s head of U.S. sales, said in a release.

A lifestyle and nutrition course will begin on Thursday. A release from Umpqua Community Veg Education Group said since 2015, the course has served over 2,800 participants. It is now a 13-week evidence-based, disease prevention and reversal series. The release said the UCVEG course shares simple, safe, affordable and practical methods that will result in health restoration. Topics address the leading causes of death, in the United States and in Douglas County, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic illnesses. Also covered are subjects like how to view and manage stress, avoiding toxins and chemicals, “moving naturally”, incorporating more exercise into daily life, and more. The course is supported by groups like the Umpqua Health Alliance, CHI Mercy Medical Center, Aviva Health, Blue Zones Project Umpqua and others.

A SPIKE IN IRANIAN hostility in recent days escalated Tuesday with the announcement it had begun large-scale combat drills, including "the widespread use of suicide drones to destroy vital targets" – a clear message to the U.S. ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden this month. [ READ: Iran Delays Retaliation Over Scientist’s Killing ] The bellicose rhetoric from Tehran followed its troubling announcement late Monday it had resumed enriching uranium at 20 percent in a provocative move clearly exceeding the terms of the 2015 nuclear agreement from which President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew. And on Monday, Iranian forces raided and seized a South Korean tanker under the auspices of pollution control. Iran subsequently demanded that Seoul supply $7 billion in funds limited by the Trump administration's sanctions but which Iran considers to be held "hostage." Each of the actions could constitute an act of war and, taken as a whole, present troubling prospects for potential conflict between Iran and its enemies. But analysts say the moves also represent a clear cry from Tehran for recognition from the incoming Biden administration and a desire for some form of relations more productive than Trump's unsparing "maximum pressure campaign." The Year in Photos: 2020 View All 128 Images The moves, and others, "are part of Tehran's effort to signal to Biden that broadening the conversation to include Iran's other troubling actions will first require a quick return by Washington to the 2015 nuclear deal and the removal of sanctions," Alex Vatanka, director of the Middle East Institute's Iran Program, said in an emailed statement. "Then, and only then, might Iran be open to discuss other contentious matters." Future and pressing discussions with Iran will be driven by two factors, Vatanka says, as will the potential for conflict. The first is the willingness of the U.S. and its allies in the region to hold talks with Iran that address that country's perceptions of nearby threats, particularly from Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states. "The presidency in the Iranian system is a weak position and yet it matters symbolically," Vatanka adds, and references the country's upcoming presidential contest slated for June. "The 2021 elections could be the final nail in the coffin of the illusion that ordinary Iranians have a say. With that, the Islamic Republic will be more firmly in the hands of a clique of hardline ideologues who have a record of overstating their capabilities and miscalculating." [ READ: Iran's Supreme Leader Vows Revenge Over Slain Scientist ] But Iran's recent actions, while provocative, have stopped short of the outright aggression that would warrant a military response. Instead, most observers see them as a show of strength ahead of potential negotiations that could come from the ascension of the Biden administration. A rocket attack in late December against the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad by Iranian proxy forces did not result in any casualties. Despite worries Tehran would carry out further acts of retribution around the one-year mark of Gen. Qassem Soleimani's killing on Jan. 3, 2020, its military has not directly harassed U.S. armed forces in the region in recent days, Nevertheless, the Pentagon reversed plans to withdraw the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier, the planned return of which was reportedly reversed by a sudden order from Trump. And though 20 percent enrichment level is a stark escalation, experts say it falls short of breaching a threshold that would provoke the Trump administration to launch military operations to prevent it. "With sanctions relief in sight, it is in Iran's interest to refrain from further violations that could put Biden's plan to return to the JCPOA at risk," Kelsey Davenport, director for nonproliferation policy at the Arms Control Association, said, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the official name for the 2015 nuclear deal. "The window is still open for diplomatic action to prevent a nuclear crisis and restore the effective, verifiable 2015 nuclear deal. It will be imperative for the Biden administration to act quickly to coordinate a return to full implementation of the nuclear deal and restore U.S. credibility."