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US-Russian Talks Shift to Moscow Amid Rising Tensions
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Asharq Al-Awsat
4 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Iran Says it Would Resume Nuclear Talks with US if Guaranteed No Further Attacks
Iran's foreign minister said Saturday that his country would accept a resumption of nuclear talks with the US if there were assurances of no more attacks against it, state media reported. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a speech to Tehran-based foreign diplomats that Iran has always been ready and will be ready in the future for talks about its nuclear program, but, 'assurance should be provided that in case of a resumption of talks, the trend will not lead to war.' Referring to the 12-day Israeli bombardment of Iran's nuclear and military sites, and the US strike on June 22, Araghchi said that if the US and others wish to resume talks with Iran, "first of all, there should be a firm guarantee that such actions will not be repeated. The attack on Iran's nuclear facilities has made it more difficult and complicated to achieve a solution based on negotiations.' Following the strikes, Iran suspended cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, which led to the departure of inspectors. Araghchi said that under Iranian law, the country will answer the agency's request for cooperation "case by case,' based on Iran's interests. He also said any inspection by the agency should be done based on Iran's 'security' concerns as well as the safety of the inspectors. 'The risk of proliferation of radioactive ingredients and an explosion of ammunition that remains from the war in the attacked nuclear sites is serious,' he said. "The risk of spreading radioactive materials and the risk of exploding leftover munitions ... are serious," he added. "For us, IAEA inspectors approaching nuclear sites has both a security aspect ... and the safety of the inspectors themselves is a matter that must be examined." He also reiterated Iran's position on the need to continue enriching uranium on its soil. US President Donald Trump has insisted that cannot happen. Israel claims it acted because Tehran was within reach of a nuclear weapon. US intelligence agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency had assessed Iran last had an organized nuclear weapons program in 2003, though Tehran had been enriching uranium up to 60% — a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in an interview published Monday said the US airstrikes so badly damaged his country's nuclear facilities that Iranian authorities still have not been able to access them to survey the destruction.


Saudi Gazette
12 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Von der Leyen vows to defend EU interests after Trump announces 30% tariffs
BRUSSELS — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday voiced the EU's readiness to continue working toward a trade agreement with the United States before the Aug. 1 deadline, after US President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on EU and Mexican imports. "We remain ready to continue working towards an agreement by August 1. At the same time, we will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required," von der Leyen said in a written statement. Trump's declaration, delivered in letters to von der Leyen and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and published on his Truth Social account, revealed that the US would begin imposing a 30% tariff on goods imported from both the EU and Mexico starting next month. Von der Leyen emphasized the EU's longstanding commitment to a 'negotiated' solution and stressed that few global economies can match the bloc's level of 'openness and adherence to fair trading practices.' "Imposing 30 percent tariffs on EU exports would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic," she warned. While Trump cited persistent trade deficits and unequal terms in his letter, von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU's position as a reliable and rules-based trading partner. She reiterated that the bloc will not hesitate to take responsive action to protect its economic interests if talks collapse. The tariff threat has cast serious doubts over the future of US-EU trade talks, which were expected to result in a new comprehensive deal this month. — Agencies


Saudi Gazette
12 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Iran to reshape IAEA cooperation, signals openness to US talks
TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Saturday that Tehran will not halt its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) but will instead adopt a new approach to ensure the protection and security of its nuclear sites. Speaking to ambassadors and foreign mission heads in Tehran, Araghchi said the shift in policy is in response to what he described as the erosion of international non-proliferation norms. 'The fact that the non-proliferation system is being so easily violated represents a damage—not just for Iran—but for the international community and international law,' he said, according to Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency. Araghchi reiterated Iran's continued commitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), affirming that its nuclear program 'has always been peaceful and will remain so.' He said Iran would continue to review IAEA requests 'case by case' under the oversight of the Supreme National Security Council, in accordance with Iranian parliamentary law. While emphasizing national sovereignty over its nuclear policy, Araghchi also revealed that Iran has received 'numerous messages' from the United States signaling interest in resuming negotiations.'Iran has no fear or hesitation about negotiating,' he stated, 'provided that the interests and benefits of the Iranian people are secured.'He also issued a warning about 'serious risks' related to Iran's nuclear facilities, citing potential radioactive leaks and the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance left behind following US military statement comes in the wake of a recent 12-day military confrontation between Iran and Israel that began on June 13, when Israeli airstrikes targeted Iranian military and civilian sites, killing at least 606 people and injuring more than 5,300, according to Iran's Health retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone strikes into Israeli territory, reportedly killing 29 people and injuring over 3,400, according to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The hostilities were paused under a US-brokered ceasefire that came into effect on June 24. — Agencies