Iranian lawmaker points to regional insecurity if UN sanctions are reimposed
DUBAI - Iran could withhold security commitments if European states invoke a U.N. mechanism to reimpose international sanctions on the Islamic Republic, a member of Iran's parliamentary national security commission said on Monday, according to Borna news.
"We have many tools in our disposition. We can withhold our commitment to security in the region, Persian Gulf and Hormuz Strait as well as other maritime areas," Abbas Moqtadaei said in reference to Tehran's potential counter-measures to the reimposition of international sanctions.
He was speaking ahead of a meeting on Friday between Iranian deputy foreign ministers and British, French and German diplomats in Istanbul.
The three European states, known as E3, have said they would restore international sanctions on Iran by the end of August if the country did not enter productive talks on its nuclear programme with Western powers, notably the United States.
E3 countries and Iran have in recent months held inconclusive talks on Tehran's nuclear program, in parallel to indirect nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington. Israel's attack on Iran in June led to the suspension of such talks.
"Europe is not in a position to endanger itself in the... Hormuz Strait when it is itself in political, economic and cultural conflicts with Russia, China and even the United States," Moqtadaei said in an interview with Iran's semi-official Borna news agency.
Last week, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said Tehran would react to the three European states if they invoked the UN snapback mechanism, which expires on October 18.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore 2 workers stranded on gondola dangling outside Raffles City Tower rescued by SCDF
Asia Japan PM Ishiba apologises to his party for election loss, vows to stay in office to deal with US tariff talks
Business $1.1 billion allocated to three fund managers to boost Singapore stock market: MAS
Singapore Proof & Company Spirits closes Singapore distribution business
Singapore Malaysia-bound motorists urged to avoid Tuas Second Link on July 23 due to chemical spill exercise
Singapore Mandai Wildlife Group group CEO Mike Barclay to retire; Bennett Neo named as successor
Singapore Jail, caning for man who held metal rod against cashier's neck in failed robbery attempt
Singapore Fresh charge for woman who harassed nurse during pandemic, created ruckus at lion dance competition
In a letter to the UN Secretary-General, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday that the E3 lack the legal standing to invoke the mechanism, arguing that their stance on Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities last month made them no longer participants to a 2015 nuclear deal to which the snapback mechanism is linked.
The three European countries, along with China and Russia, are the remaining parties to the nuclear pact - from which the U.S. withdrew in 2018 - that lifted sanctions on Iran in return for restrictions on its nuclear programme.
In the past, Iran has used the threat of disrupting maritime transit in the Strait of Hormuz or no longer stopping Europe-bound drug trafficking as a means to push back against Western pressures on its nuclear programme. REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
International Business Times
2 hours ago
- International Business Times
Republicans Move to Subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell for Testimony Over Jeffrey Epstein Files Risking Trump's Wrath
The Republican-led House Oversight Committee is planning "seek to subpoena" convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell to testify in connection with the Jeffrey Epstein case "as expeditiously as possible," a spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday. The move could anger Trump. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) had urged Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) to call the jailed British socialite to testify. Comer responded by asking Burchett to formally introduce a motion, which was then passed by the committee through a voice vote. "Since Ms. Maxwell is in federal prison, the Committee will work with the Department of Justice and Bureau of Prisons to identify a date when Committee can depose her," a committee rep said. Twist in the Tale X Despite demands from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, House Republican leadership has so far blocked efforts to release more details related to Epstein, the convicted pedophile who was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell on August 10, 2019. Earlier on Tuesday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said that he had contacted Maxwell's legal team and planned to meet with her "in the coming days" to "hear what she has to say." Ghislaine Maxwell wuth Jeffery Epstein Instagram Maxwell's lawyer later confirmed that discussions with the Justice Department have taken place. Alan Dershowitz, a former attorney for Epstein, has claimed that Maxwell is fully aware of all of Epstein's disturbing crimes, calling her the "Rosetta Stone" of the long-running investigation. The Epstein case burst back onto front pages after a joint memo issued by the Justice Department and FBI on July 6, which concluded that the 66-year-old financier died by suicide in jail and that there was no "client list" of influential people involved in his crimes against underage girls—despite ongoing public speculation. Trouble for Trump The move could anger Trump as he had blasted the controversy as a "hoax" and slammed a segment of his own base for obsessing over it. Meanwhile, Democrats have seized the opportunity to capitalize on the issue, frequently pressuring Republicans to take a clear stance. Maxwell with Epstein US District Attorney's Office "We're not going to play political games with this," House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told reporters Tuesday. "We want any individual who has been involved in any way in the Epstein evils to be brought to justice as quickly as possible." On Monday evening, Republicans abruptly paused a House Rules Committee session as Democrats prepared to push for a vote to make the Epstein files public. Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell Twitter Given that the House Rules Committee acts as the main gatekeeper for most legislation heading to a floor vote, the Republican leadership has been unable to move forward with other planned bills ahead of the August recess. On Tuesday, House GOP leaders announced that no further votes would take place after Wednesday afternoon. Just last week, the Trump administration requested a federal judge's approval to unseal grand jury testimony related to the cases of both Epstein and Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence following her conviction for sex trafficking and conspiracy.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Key dates in the US and UNESCO's on-again, off-again relationship
UNESCO logo and U.S. flag are seen in this illustration taken April 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Once again, the U.S. has said it will pull out of the United Nations culture and education agency UNESCO, with U.S. President Donald Trump repeating a move from his first term in office that his successor, Joe Biden, had reversed. Here are some important dates in the sometimes tumultuous relationship between the U.S. and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization: * November 16, 1945: UNESCO's founding treaty is signed and its constitution is adopted in London, saying it intends to advance "international peace" and "the common welfare of mankind." * September 30, 1946: The U.S. ratifies the UNESCO treaty, becoming one of its founding member states. * June 1977: Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Singapore, Vietnam agree to step up defence ties, dialogue between leaders Asia Malaysia govt's reform pledge tested as DAP chief bows over unresolved 2009 death of political aide Tech Singapore to increase pool of early adopters in AI to complement data scientists, engineers Singapore Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving The Fund for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, also called the World Heritage Fund, is established under UNESCO. It provides millions of dollars to support conservation programs at UNESCO-designated sites. * October 1979: The first 45 sites are inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, including three from the U.S.: the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Florida's Everglades National Park and Independence Hall in Philadelphia. * December 30, 1983: U.S. President Ronald Reagan's administration announces that the U.S. is withdrawing from UNESCO, effective December 1984, saying it had become "politicized," financially mismanaged, unduly focused on weapons disarmament during the Cold War and hostile to free markets and a free press. * October 1984: The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor and California's Yosemite National Park are inscribed on the World Heritage List. * 1985–2003: Despite the U.S. withdrawal, UNESCO continues to add U.S. sites and cultural heritages to the World Heritage List, including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; Thomas Jefferson's home Monticello in Virginia and the Chaco Culture of the Pueblo people who occupied what is now a large region in the U.S. Southwest. * April 1994: U.S. Congress passes a law that blocks U.S. financing for any U.N. agency that accepts the State of Palestine as a full member. * September 12, 2002: U.S. President George W. Bush announces in a speech to the UN General Assembly that the U.S. will rejoin UNESCO, citing leadership reforms in recent years as he sought to build international support for the Iraq War. It does so formally the following year. * October 31, 2011: UNESCO accepts Palestine as its 195th full member, despite the risk of losing U.S. funds, which at the time reportedly accounted for about 22% of UNESCO's budget. U.S. President Barack Obama's administration, which had unsuccessfully sought to get Congress to relax the 1994 financing law in the runup to the vote on Palestinian membership, ends U.S. funding. * October 12, 2017: Trump's administration announces the U.S. will once again leave UNESCO, this time for what it called "anti-Israel bias." The U.S. became a non-member observer. * June 2023: Biden's administration announces it will rejoin UNESCO, saying the agency had "modernized its management and reduced political tensions." * July 22, 2025: Trump's administration announces the U.S. again will leave UNESCO for the third time, because of his government's belief that it "supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes." REUTERS
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
French culture minister Rachida Dati, ex-auto CEO Carlos Ghosn to stand trial for graft
Find out what's new on ST website and app. French Culture Minister Rachida Dati (left) and former automobile executive Carlos Ghosn are to stand trial for alleged corruption and abuse of power in a case focusing on consulting fees. PARIS - French judges on July 22 ordered that French Culture Minister Rachida Dati and former automobile executive Carlos Ghosn must stand trial for alleged corruption and abuse of power in a case focusing on consulting fees, a judicial source said. The French prosecutor's office for financial crimes (PNF) had requested in November 2024 that Dati, widely expected to run for the post of Paris mayor in March 2026, and former Renault-Nissan boss Ghosn be tried as part of its investigation into corruption. Investigators had been probing the consulting fees Dati once received from the Renault-Nissan auto alliance, which hired her as a consultant after she stepped down as justice minister in 2009 to stand for the European Parliament. Dati has denied irregularities in the fees she received during that time, and Ghosn, who fled from Japan in a box aboard a private jet to Lebanon, has denied allegations of misconduct against him. Representatives for Dati had no immediate comment, while Ghosn's representatives could not immediately be reached for comment. Ghosn, who holds French, Lebanese and Brazilian citizenships, has not left Lebanon since 2019 because of an Interpol Red Notice issued by Japan. REUTERS
