US announces new sanctions on Iran after fourth round of talks
The US has announced new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme, a day after the two countries held the fourth round of talks in Oman.
The latest sanctions target three Iranian nationals and an entity with links to Iran's Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research, also known by its Persian acronym SPND. 'All individuals sanctioned are involved in activities that materially contribute to, or pose a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,' Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement on Monday.
'Iran continues to substantially expand its nuclear programme and carry out dual-use research and development activities applicable to nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons delivery systems,' he added.
Mr Rubio said Iran was the only country in the world without nuclear weapons that is producing uranium enriched to 60 per cent. Building a weapon requires 90 per cent but the amount hugely exceeds the 3.67 per cent maximum that was imposed by the 2015 nuclear deal that US President Donald Trump left during his first term.
Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful and civilian purposes only.
The latest sanctions came a day after the fourth round of talks between Washington and Tehran – mediated by Muscat – aimed at entering a new nuclear deal and preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Iran described the latest negotiations as 'difficult but useful' and that a new date for the next round would be announced later. A senior US official described Sunday's talks positively, confirming that another round would take place soon.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also been liaising with regional countries on the talks with the US. In a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty, the two discussed the latest round of talks, according to Iranian state media.
Mr Araghchi was also in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates days before Mr Trump began his regional tour. The US president was set to arrive in Riyadh on Tuesday, kicking off his first official visit.
In Abu Dhabi, Mr Araghchi discussed the talks with his Emirati counterpart, 'emphasising the importance of these discussions in bolstering regional security and stability and preserving international peace and security,' Wam reported.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
40 minutes ago
- The National
Will Donald Trump forgive Elon Musk after 'regrets' post?
Mercurial tech tycoon Elon Musk retracted some of his criticism of President Donald Trump early Wednesday morning, after the Tesla chief and the US leader had a public falling out last week. "I regret some of my posts about President Trump last week," he posted to X, the social media platform he owns. "They went too far." Given the range of posts directed at Mr Trump last week, it is not entirely clear which ones he is sorry for. Several days ago, however, Mr Musk did delete one of the more controversial posts in which he claimed Mr Trump was named in the Epstein files and that was why he had not released them. The documents, which have not been made fully public, concern the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and have long been the subject of speculation by Trump supporters, who have demanded their full release in the belief that they contain the names of high-ranking Democrats. Inclusion in the files does not necessarily imply any wrongdoing. Last week, shortly after Mr Musk announced his plans to step away from his role in the Trump administration, he used his social media platform to blast Mr Trump's much touted 'big, beautiful' tax bill, describing it as a 'disgusting abomination' that would blow up the national debt. The abrupt turn against Mr Trump's signature legislation came after the disintegration of the partnership between the two men that lasted more than a year and saw Mr Musk donate hundreds of millions of dollars to Mr Trump's presidential campaign. Many argue that crucial funding was the difference between victory and defeat for Mr Trump, who faced off against Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, who was then vice president. After Mr Trump's win, Mr Musk's remit was to cut federal waste through the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency. But within the first few months of the Trump administration, reports indicated Mr Musk's presence had begun to grate with the President. Some have argued that the partnership began to fracture when Mr Trump's advocacy for tariffs put a strain on the various entrepreneurial endeavours of Mr Musk. Mr Trump also sought to cease electric vehicle subsidies that had previously boosted Tesla's bottom line. Regardless, as of last week, there appeared to be no love lost between the two men, both of whom have a large social media presence. After the series of posts to X by Mr Musk, Mr Trump alleged that the Tesla chief had "lost his mind". So while it's unclear what caused the sudden, quasi-apology from Mr Musk, it probably all comes down to money. Mr Trump had posted to his own social media platform, Truth Social, that as a result of Mr Musk betraying him, he would try to halt all federal contracts with his various companies, such as Starlink, SpaceX and others. If that comes to fruition, Mr Musk could lose billions. Last week's posts also hurt the already wounded Tesla, whose stock dropped after Mr Musk began his tirade. Tesla has since recovered most of the value lost. On Wednesday morning, it was up more than 2 per cent shortly after the opening bell. What many are still wondering, however, is whether Mr Trump will forgive Mr Musk. He has yet to post anything in response, and it should be pointed out that Mr Musk has not exactly changed his mind and endorsed Mr Trump's tax and spending bill, seen as the culmination of many of the President's campaign promises.
The National
3 hours ago
- The National
US discourages world leaders from taking part in Saudi-French UN conference on Palestinian statehood
US President Donald Trump 's administration is actively discouraging world leaders from taking part in a Saudi-French conference on Palestinian statehood scheduled for next week at the UN. 'This conference would be counterproductive and we will encourage others not to participate,' a State Department representative told The National. French officials have said President Emmanuel Macron is leaning towards recognising a Palestinian state before the UN conference that France and Saudi Arabia are co-hosting from June 17 to 20. The goal of the conference is to establish the foundations for a plan towards a Palestinian state, with guarantees for Israel's security. Mr Macron, who is expected to attend the event, has said he is determined to recognise a Palestinian state, but also set out several conditions, including the 'demilitarisation' of Hamas. According to Reuters, the US warned countries in a memo that taking 'anti-Israel actions' after the conference could be seen as opposing Washington's foreign policy interests and may lead to diplomatic repercussions. 'The United States opposes any steps that would unilaterally recognise a conjectural Palestinian state, which adds significant legal and political obstacles to the eventual resolution of the conflict and could coerce Israel during a war, thereby supporting its enemies,' the memo read. Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway imposed sanctions on Tuesday on two far-right Israeli cabinet ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, accusing them of repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The two ministers are settlers. 'The United States opposes the implied support of the conference for potential actions including boycotts and sanctions on Israel, as well as other punitive measures,' the memo read. Israel has repeatedly denounced the conference, saying it rewards Hamas for the October 7 attack that started the Gaza war, and has pressed France not to recognise a Palestinian state.
Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Iran threatens US bases in region if military conflict arises
If nuclear negotiations fail and conflict arises with the United States, Iran will strike American bases in the region, Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said on Wednesday, days ahead of a planned sixth round of Iran-US nuclear talks. "Some officials on the other side threaten conflict if negotiations don't come to fruition. If a conflict is imposed on us... all US bases are within our reach and we will boldly target them in host countries," Nasirzadeh said during a press conference. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran with bombing if it does not reach a new nuclear deal. The next round of talks is due this week, with Trump saying negotiations would be held on Thursday while Tehran says they will take place on Sunday in Oman. Iran is expected to hand a counter-proposal to a previous US offer for a nuclear deal it rejected, with Trump reacting on Tuesday that Iran is becoming "much more aggressive" in nuclear talks. Nasirzadeh added Tehran recently tested a missile with a two-ton warhead and does not accept limitations. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had said in February that Iran should further develop its military, including its missiles.
