Netanyahu appears in controversial tunnel network under East Jerusalem
Israeli Prime Minister spoke from a tunnel that runs near Al Aqsa Mosque compound and under a heavily Palestinian neighbourhood
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The National
25 minutes ago
- The National
Iranian Foreign Minister in Beirut to 'open new chapter' with Lebanon
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in Beirut to meet top Lebanese officials andhopes 'to open a new chapter in relations' with Lebanon as it begins the process of disarming non-state actors and strengthening its national army. The visit, part of Mr Araghchi's tour of the region, comes amid calls for Tehran's strongest proxy group Hezbollah to disarm in Lebanon - an indication of Iran's uncertain regional footing. Mr Araghchi met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. The Iranian minister's first meeting was with Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji, who is perhaps the strongest critic of Hezbollah in the new Lebanese government and was nominated for his position by the Lebanese Forces – parliament's largest party and an opponent of the Iran-backed group. "They had an absolutely frank meeting," according to a Foreign Ministry source who did not wish to be identified. "They discussed Hezbollah weapons, the negotiations between Iran and the US, rebuilding, south Lebanon, and the issue of respecting Lebanon's sovereignty," the source added. The Iranian FM was receptive to Mr Rajji's concerns and "listened very well." The Lebanese Foreign Minister's office said Mr Rajji emphasised the importance of securing support for Lebanon's reconstruction and economic recovery "exclusively through the Lebanese government and official institutions." The Iranian Foreign Minister said Iranian companies were ready to help with reconstruction efforts if the Lebanese government requested it. Iran, through Hezbollah, has donated money to cover a year's rent and loss of possessions for those who lost their homes during the war with Israel. A source close to Hezbollah said the visit was focused solely on Iran-Lebanon relations. They said Mr Araghchi's visit had nothing to do with negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme. "Iran's role in reconstruction hasn't changed; from the moment the ceasefire took effect, Tehran expressed to the Lebanese government its readiness to actively contribute to whatever Lebanon needs," the source said. "Iran's relationship with Hezbollah is not up for question or debate. It is a historical bond and is treated as such. It has always stood on the side of Lebanon's strength and resilience," they added. On the nuclear issue, Mr Araghchi said a new US proposal submitted via Oman threw up "many ambiguities and questions". Throughout the day, Lebanese officials and the Iranian Foreign Minister repeatedly stressed a desire for a relationship based on mutual respect and non-interference in each other's relations. Lebanon's Foreign Ministry summoned Iran's ambassador to Beirut in April over suggestions that plans to disarm Hezbollah were a "conspiracy". Lebanon faces reconstruction and recovery needs of more than $11 billion, according to a World Bank report published earlier this year. But who will foot that bill remains unclear, with the country bankrupt and the international community weary. Mr Aragchi had earlier been received on arrival on Tuesday by a representative of Mr Berri and two Hezbollah MPs. The Iranian minister will also probably meet officials from Hezbollah, the Lebanese armed group and political party. The whereabouts of its new leader Naim Qassem, who regularly gives televised speeches from an undisclosed location, are unclear. Mr Araghchi last visited Beirut in February to attend the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah, the long-time Hezbollah leader who was assassinated last year in an Israeli bombing on the Lebanese capital. Iranian support had been instrumental in Hezbollah turning into the region's most powerful non-state armed group. But its war with Israel last year has seen Hezbollah's power significantly weakened, although it still remains a critical Lebanese actor. Along with the killing of Mr Nasrallah, almost all of Hezbollah's senior leadership has been wiped out as well as its largest missiles. Lebanon is under pressure from many in the international community, as well as some inside the country, to disarm Hezbollah. President Aoun has said he wants all arms under the control of the state as soon as possible, but insists this must be done through mediation and not force. Mr Araghchi is travelling from Cairo, where he had said Iran is 'ready to provide assurances' that its nuclear programme is peaceful, as Tehran and Washington seek to reach a deal on the issue.
Middle East Eye
35 minutes ago
- Middle East Eye
Saudi Arabian and Omani officials propose nuclear facilities for Iran on Gulf island: Report
Omani and Saudi Arabian officials have proposed building a nuclear enrichment facility in the Gulf alongside Iran in an attempt to overcome obstacles in ongoing nuclear talks. US envoy Steve Witkoff provided Iran with a proposal for a nuclear deal over the weekend, which includes a consortium to provide nuclear fuel to Iran and any of its neighbours interested in developing civilian nuclear power or research programmes, according to a New York Times report on Tuesday. The idea is part of an attempt to bridge Washington and Tehran's red lines that could scuttle a deal. US President Donald Trump says the US will not allow Iran to enrich uranium as part of a nuclear deal, while Tehran insists it retains the right to enrichment for civilian purposes. The nuclear consortium could include Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the report said. The Gulf states are close US partners with their own nuclear ambitions. They are rivals with Iran but have undergone a fragile rapprochement. The consortium would be overseen by the International Atomic Energy Agency. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The NYT reported that Iran may be prepared to accept the consortium idea in order to prevent the collapse of talks but could push to build the enrichment facility on one of their islands, including Kish or Qeshm in the Gulf. Another option could be to build the facility on a disputed island. Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb in the Gulf have been occupied by Iran since 1971 but are claimed by the UAE. Until the consortium gets up and running, Iran would be allowed to continue enriching uranium at low levels. Axios reported on Monday that the Witkoff proposal would allow Iran to enrich Uranium to three percent, well below the 60 percent it is currently at. Trump said on Monday, after the Axios report, that Iran would not be allowed to enrich uranium. But if the final stage of the deal prevents Iran from enriching uranium alone once a consortium is established, it could give Trump some wriggle room around his publicly stated position. Although there are several flashpoints that could derail an agreement, whether Iran is able to enrich uranium on its soil, as part of a consortium or not, is shaping up to be the biggest obstacle. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Tuesday that Iran's right to enrich uranium on its soil was a "red line" after the United States submitted its proposal for a new nuclear deal. "Continuing enrichment on Iranian soil is our red line," Araghchi said while on a visit to Lebanon, adding that his country will respond to the proposal in the coming days based on Iran's "principled positions and the interests of the Iranian people'. Iran has also called on the US to lift all sanctions on the country, not just those related to its nuclear programme, as part of a deal, the NYT reported. Trump is under pressure from Republicans in the US Congress and Israel to take a hard line on Iran. He said last month that he warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to launch preemptive military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities.
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Steve Witkoff must testify about 'secret side deal' with Iran, top Democrat says
A leading US senator on Tuesday said special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff must appear before Congress to face questions about whether the Trump administration is trying to cut a 'secret side deal' with Iran. Mr Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Donald Trump have repeatedly said Iran will not be allowed to enrich any uranium as part of continuing nuclear talks, including for civilian purposes. But reports by The New York Times and Axios contradict this. They say Washington and Tehran are working on a solution in which Iran could enrich uranium at low levels for civilian use until the US and other nations formulate a larger plan that stops its progress towards a nuclear bomb. 'Steve Witkoff must testify before Congress,' Senator Chuck Schumer, the top Democrat in the Senate, said on X. 'Is there a secret side deal that will allow Iran to continue enriching uranium and empowers Iran's nefarious activity or not?' Whether Mr Witkoff testifies is up to Republicans, who control the US Senate and House of Representatives. The reports also say the proposal suggests the formation of a regional consortium to produce nuclear power, which could include Saudi Arabia and other nations. In a separate video message, Mr Schumer accused Mr Trump of 'folding' to Iran's demands. 'What kind of bull is this? You're going to sound tough in public and then have a secret side eal that let's Iran get away with everything. That's outrageous.' The purported agreement would allow for Iran and the US to find a way past red lines both countries have drawn. Mr Trump has said Iran will not be allowed to enrich 'any' uranium, while Iran has said that its ability to enrich uranium is non-negotiable. When asked about a side deal, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce declined to comment on any negotiations. 'What I can say, though, of course, is that the maximum-pressure campaign on Iran remains in full force,' she told reporters. The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that a directive came down last week from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt to pause all new sanctions activity towards Iran.
