Iran holds US accountable for attacks on nuclear sites
The United States struck key Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22, briefly joining a war launched by Israel that had derailed talks on Tehran's atomic programme. "In any potential negotiation... the issue of holding the United States accountable and demanding compensation for committing military aggression against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities will be one of the topics on the agenda," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told a press briefing on Monday.
Asked whether Iran would engage in direct talks with the United States, Baqaei said: "No."
In mid-June, Israel launched an unprecedented attack targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites, but also hitting residential areas over 12 days of war. US forces joined with attacks on nuclear facilities at Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz.
The fighting derailed talks that began in April and had been the highest-level contact between Tehran and Washington since the United States abandoned in 2018 a landmark agreement on Iran's nuclear activities.
Following the war, Tehran suspended cooperation with the United Nations' nuclear watchdog and demanded guarantees against military action before resuming any negotiations.
Washington has dismissed Tehran's call for compensation as "ridiculous".
Baqaei said on Monday that Iran was committed to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, but criticised what he described as the "politicised and unprofessional approach" of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
24 minutes ago
- Business Recorder
Youm-e-Istehsal: Pakistan reaffirms support to Kashmiris' struggle
On August 5, 2025, as Pakistan solemnly observes Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir, the nation once again renews its commitment to the people of Illegally Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K). This day is not merely a symbolic gesture—it is a moral imperative, a reaffirmation of solidarity with a people whose voices have been systematically silenced under the weight of state-sponsored repression. Youm-e-Istehsal, commemorated annually, marks the sixth anniversary of India's unilateral revocation of Article 370, which stripped occupied Jammu and Kashmir of its constitutionally enshrined autonomy. This act, driven by a Hindutva-inspired ideology under the BJP-led government, was not only legally questionable but morally indefensible. It sought to dissolve the unique political identity of Kashmir, an identity forged through history, sacrifice, and unrelenting struggle. Kashmir is not simply a territorial dispute or a residual wound of partition; it is a living testament to human endurance in the face of structural violence. For over seven decades, the people of Kashmir have endured military occupation, demographic engineering, and systemic disenfranchisement—yet their resolve remains unshaken. Kashmir's story is not just one of suffering; it is one of resistance, of refusing to be erased. The roots of the Kashmir conflict lie in the turbulent aftermath of the 1947 partition of British India. Princely states were given the choice to accede to either India or Pakistan, based on geographic contiguity and the will of the people. Given its Muslim-majority population and cultural affinity with Pakistan, Jammu, and Kashmir's natural trajectory seemed clear. However, Maharaja Hari Singh's controversial accession to India—under opaque and contested circumstances—ignited a conflict that continues to haunt South Asia. In response, the United Nations adopted a series of resolutions in 1948 and 1949, explicitly calling for a free and impartial plebiscite to allow the Kashmiri people to determine their political future. That promise remains unfulfilled, buried beneath layers of realpolitik, diplomatic inertia, and global indifference. Meanwhile, India's abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, marked a seismic shift in the political landscape of Kashmir. The move dissolved Jammu & Kashmir State's nominal autonomy, replacing it with direct federal control and unleashing a cascade of repressive measures: communications blackouts, mass arrests, media censorship, and an intensified military presence. This was not an administrative reform—it was an ideological project aimed at redefining Kashmir's Muslim identity and forcibly integrating it into the Hindu nationalist vision of India. Human rights watchdogs—Amnesty Inter-national, Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations—have documented widespread abuses: arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the brutal use of pellet guns, which have maimed and blinded hundreds, including women and children. The psychological scars inflicted by this campaign of terror will echo across generations. Yet, despite relentless oppression, the spirit of Kashmir endures. Resistance takes many forms: from protests and civil disobedience to poetry, music, and digital storytelling. Artists like Agha Shahid Ali and rappers like MC Kash have weaponized words against bullets, preserving the Kashmiri narrative and keeping hope alive through the power of cultural expression. In a world that often forgets, these voices are a moral compass, reminding us of Kashmir's unyielding quest for justice. Pakistan's support for the Kashmiri cause transcends political expediency; it is rooted in fundamental principles of justice, dignity, and the right of all peoples to determine their destiny. At the United Nations General Assembly, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and other international forums, Pakistan has consistently raised its voice against India's transgressions and in defence of the Kashmiri people. The observance of August 5, 2025, is not merely ceremonial—it is a manifestation of Pakistan's enduring solidarity. Through policy statements, awareness campaigns, and nationwide rallies, the Pakistani state—particularly the Punjab government—has worked to keep the Kashmir issue at the forefront of national consciousness. The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has played a particularly commendable role in highlighting the plight of the Kashmiri people. Her government's efforts—ranging from public advocacy to the provision of scholarships to Kashmiri students—reflect a serious and sustained commitment to turning words into action. By institutionalizing support, Punjab has set an example for how provincial governments can meaningfully contribute to national causes. Such initiatives not only uplift the morale of the oppressed but also serve to remind the international community that Kashmir is not forgotten. The political, moral, and humanitarian support extended by Pakistan ensures that Kashmir remains a living issue in global discourse. Despite the gravity of the situation, the international community's response has often been tepid, if not complicit. While geopolitical crises elsewhere—such as in Ukraine—elicit swift and concerted action, Kashmir is met with equivocation and diplomatic inertia. This selective moral outrage undermines the very principles upon which the international order claims to stand. The United Nations, in particular, must reckon with its failure to enforce its resolutions. The legitimacy of international law cannot be selectively applied. The right to self-determination, enshrined in the UN Charter, is not a privilege to be granted—it is a fundamental human right. Likewise, the global media has a responsibility to pierce through the fog of propaganda and present the unvarnished truth. Human rights organizations must go beyond issuing statements—they must push for tangible action, diplomatic accountability, and sustained global attention. Youm-e-Istehsal is more than a day of remembrance—it is a call to conscience. It urges us to recognize that the Kashmiri struggle is not about land or borders, but about freedom, dignity, and the inalienable right to live without fear. Kashmir's yearning for freedom is not a separatist impulse—it is a plea for justice that the world must hear. As we mark August 5, 2025, let us reaffirm our belief that the shadows of occupation will not last forever. One day, the silence of the valleys will be broken not by gunfire, but by the call to prayer echoing in a land free from tyranny. The dawn of freedom will come—because history, no matter how long it is delayed, bends ultimately toward justice.
Business Recorder
2 hours ago
- Business Recorder
PTI no longer a political party: Azma
LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Information and Culture, Azma Bokhari, has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is no longer a political party but has turned into a fascist group determined to damage state institutions and disrupt national unity. On August 5, the people of Pakistan will completely reject the politics of chaos and stand in full solidarity with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters, Azma said, adding: 'The person who raises slogans of 'Haqiqi Azadi' is the same individual whose $18 million advertisement was published in the United States, exposing his double standards. This man once begged for freedom from America, and now his son is repeating the same narrative.' Speaking at a news conference held at DGPR on Monday, Azma Bokhari said that the arrival of the Iranian President in Lahore was a historic occasion, but a particular segment of society tried to malign it through negative propaganda. She emphasised that the Iranian nation holds a deep intellectual connection with Allama Iqbal and considers him the Poet of the East. She added that Iran has expressed its commitment to enhancing trade with Pakistan up to 10 billion dollars. The warm welcome extended to the Iranian President by Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz is a reflection of the strong bilateral relations between the two countries, she added. The Information Minister said that anti-smog guns have now been delivered in Punjab, with 15 already stationed in Lahore. The Punjab government is fully prepared for the upcoming smog season starting from October. Millions of trees are being planted with QR code tagging to ensure transparent monitoring. Public schools are being equipped with new furniture, proper boundary walls, and washroom facilities. In Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, women have been inducted into the armed forces; a clear sign of gender inclusion, she said. For students, the Punjab government is offering scholarships, laptops, and has planned a 1,000-bed cancer hospital, all of which reflect the government's top priorities, she added. Azma further said that on August 5, the entire nation will enthusiastically observe 'Kashmir Exploitation Day' and express complete solidarity with the people of Kashmir. She criticised PTI's call for protests on the same day, terming it highly regrettable. She said that when Kashmir was being brutalised, the same person was in power, and now he continues to conspire against the state by issuing statements about guerrilla warfare. She asserted that anyone who talks about waging guerrilla war against the state must be dealt with an iron hand. Referring to PTI's past protest calls, she said that the so-called 'final call' given on November 26 failed miserably. The movement announced after Ashura also died down, and the announcements made for April 9 and other dates were withdrawn. She mockingly said that PTI always seems eager for a showdown, but in the end, they end up defeating themselves. The Information Minister said that the current government has initiated over 90 projects and continues the journey of development, while those creating chaos only want to spread unrest. She said that when the country is on the path to economic stability, these elements call for anarchy and plot conspiracies. Azma Bokhari urged the public to demonstrate complete national unity on August 5 and send a loud and clear message to anti-state forces that there is no space for chaos and sabotage in Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
3 hours ago
- Business Recorder
KATI for removal of Iran-Pakistan trade barriers
KARACHI: Calling for enhanced governmental support, the President of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), Junaid Naqi urged both governments to take practical steps to eliminate trade barriers and help local businesses explore opportunities in the Iranian market. He also advocated for the promotion of barter trade to accelerate bilateral trade expansion. Welcoming the signing of 12 ministerial-level agreements between Pakistan and Iran, he said that the recently concluded negotiations on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will pave the way for economic prosperity and deeper bilateral cooperation between the two brotherly nations. The FTA, according to Naqi, will lead to tariff reductions, removal of trade obstacles, and stimulate the business environment in both countries. He underscored the urgent need to strengthen economic linkages and business-to-business interactions, suggesting that joint exhibitions and B2B meetings be organized regularly. Naqi further urged the government to introduce effective policies to support domestic and foreign investors, citing lucrative opportunities in Pakistan's agriculture and industrial sectors. 'The Pakistan-Iran Free Trade Agreement has the potential to redefine our economic landscape and help both nations meet their growth targets through enhanced regional cooperation,' he concluded. Naqi highlighted that the current bilateral trade volume stands at just $3 billion, with Pakistan contributing only one-third, well below expectations. He stressed that with mutual efforts, the trade volume could be expanded to $10 billion. He identified key sectors with significant potential, including textiles, pharmaceuticals, leather, and food products, and emphasized the importance of leveraging Iran's affordable energy resources for Pakistan's industrial growth. 'Pakistan and Iran have long-standing relations that continue to strengthen over time. Our cooperation during the Iran-Israel and Pakistan-India wars is a testament to our historical solidarity,' he said. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
