Macron seeks renewed Iran talks on zero enrichment, missiles and proxies
Iranian foreign minister due to meet European envoys in Geneva on Friday
Tehran wants guarantees that Israel will stop war 'forever', President Pezeshkian says
Iran says it has received 'several messages' from the US
Nuclear research site targeted in latest Israeli attacks
In Gaza, at least 43 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks
One person killed in Israeli airstrike on south Lebanon
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The National
37 minutes ago
- The National
Has Europe given Iran an impossible nuclear ultimatum?
European negotiators have insisted Iran must accept that it cannot enrich uranium as part of its nuclear programme, so that peace can return to the Middle East, experts told The National. It is understood that Iran has been agreeable to limiting enrichment to 3.67 per cent, which is the standard level required for civilian nuclear reactors and was part of the previous nuclear agreement. But even this amount is unacceptable to the three European countries, Britain, France and Germany, currently holding talks with Iran in Geneva. 'The Europeans have now started insisting on zero as well, which the Iranians have said is going to be a non-starter,' said Darya Dolzikova, an expert on nuclear proliferation at the Rusi think tank. Iran has engaged in years of brinkmanship by defying international inspectors to enrich uranium to near weapons-grade level. Until the Israeli attacks of the last week, the threat of an assault on its installations seemed to have 'lacked some credibility for the Iranians'. In recent days the regime has appeared to accept the 3.67 per cent figure as a negotiating position, the same amount agreed under the 2015 JCPOA nuclear agreement. For any deal to last it will have to be signed off by US President Donald Trump who has also insisted on zero enrichment, said Richard Pater, director of Bicom, the Anglo-Israeli think tank. 'It all depends on whether 3.67 is acceptable to Trump or whether he's insisting on no enrichment whatsoever,' he said. 'But it's also this question of whether Trump will accept that [3.67 per cent] to get the big peace deal that he wants. Israel will then have no choice but to acquiesce to the American position.' Ms Dolzikova also argued that the Iranians would not agree to a deal that 'doesn't involve the United States as they are the critical players'. But Israel itself has insisted that it will not back down until Iran completely ends its nuclear programme and has made clear that any uranium enrichment on Iranian soil is something that it will not accept. Hasan Al Hasan, a nuclear expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, suggested that the 3.67 per cent figure was now redundant as 'there is no indication that Israel is in a mood to negotiate'. Having achieved near total freedom of action in the skies, Israel was likely to 'press ahead with its maximalist war objectives of eliminating Iran's nuclear and missile programmes and perhaps even regime change'. He added that Mr Trump's announcement that he would make no decision on joining the attacks - that would benefit from America's massive bunker-busting bombs - for the next two weeks was a signal for Israel to 'get the job done' in that period. But there is also a question whether within that fortnight window Israel, without US bombs, has the capability to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities. 'Israel is obviously probably more bullish right now and looking for the removal of the whole nuclear project in its entirety, but it remains to be seen whether that's in their gift,' said Ms Dolzikova. There is also a fear that if 3.67 per cent is agreed by Iran then it might in secret enrich uranium, and conduct a nuclear weaponisation programme viewing it as the only effective deterrent. 'If the regime survives this, then 3.67 per cent gives them another basis with which to start again,' said Mr Pater. 'Israel is under no illusion the Iranians given the chance, will do it all over again.'
Zawya
39 minutes ago
- Zawya
Mohammed bin Rashid announces changes to UAE government
Following consultations and approval of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, announced today changes to the UAE government. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said, 'Following consultations with my brother, His Highness the President, and with his approval, we announce today changes to the UAE government as follows: establishment of a Ministry of Foreign Trade in the UAE government and appointment of Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi as Minister of Foreign Trade, and renaming the Ministry of Economy to Ministry of Economy and Tourism led by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri.' He added, 'We also announce that the National Artificial Intelligence System will be adopted as an advisory member in the Council of Ministers, the Ministerial Development Council, and all boards of federal entities and government companies starting from January 2026 to support decision-making in these councils, conduct real-time analyses of their decisions, provide technical advice, and enhance the efficiency of government policies adopted by these councils across all sectors.' His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said, "The world is undergoing a comprehensive transformation phase… scientifically... economically... and socially... our goal is to prepare today for the coming decades... our goal is to ensure continued prosperity and dignified life for future generations."
Middle East Eye
an hour ago
- Middle East Eye
Iran: Time Magazine accused of supporting regime change over Khamanei cover
Time magazine's latest cover featuring Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has sparked criticism online, with users accusing the publication of drumming up support for the idea of regime change in Iran following Israel's surprise attack on the country last week. The cover, published on X on Thursday, features a half-torn poster of Khamenei with the headline: "The New Middle East" featured prominently on the page. "Western press is setting the stage for the aggression against Iran," said one user. "What they call 'The New Middle East' is fragmented, failed states whose resources and people they think they are entitled to exploit." Another user said: "It hasn't even been a week and there's already a new Middle East?! How? Am I missing a ceasefire, a regime collapse, or a revolution?" Many social media users also drew parallels between Time's Khamanei image and the March 2003 issue of the magazine, which was published just weeks before the US invasion of Iraq. 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 cover features a man painting over a poster of Saddam Hussein, the country's leader who was later captured by US forces after the invasion which plunged the country into years of chaos and violence. A clear propaganda piece: 1. Tearing out the page as though Iran's time has come (it hasn't) 2. Drumming up 'Iran's threat' (unfounded) 3. Painting Israhell as the hero in 'Israel's Gamble' (LIE) 4. Justifying American intervention so it's justified (it's not) FOR SHAME! — Claudiopoi (@claudiopoy) June 19, 2025 In addition to the title "Life after Saddam Hussein", the March 2003 issue also promoted an article about "[President George W] Bush's high-risk plan to occupy Iraq and remake the Middle East". "We're not exaggerating when we say it's the same playbook," one user wrote on X. TIME's new cover, same as the old cover. — Network Radio (@Anarcho1776) June 19, 2025 Israel launched its attacks last week claiming that Iran was on the verge of building nuclear weapons. But the Islamic Republic has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear weapons, a position supported by the most recent assessments from the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, and the US intelligence community. The attacks have since escalated into an exchange of rockets between Tel Aviv and Tehran. Israel's attacks have killed several top military generals and nuclear scientists and targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, but it has also struck residential buildings, hospitals, civilian infrastructure and the Iranian state television headquarters, killing hundreds of civilians in what is being viewed by many as an operation geared towards regime change. On Thursday, Israel's defence minister said Khamenei "can no longer be allowed to exist". Israel's defence minister - following an Iranian missile that hit the Soroka medical complex - said that Khamenei "can no longer be allowed to exist", while Prime Minister Netanyahu said Iran would "pay the full price" for its attack. In an interview with US broadcaster ABC on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was asked about reports that US President Donald Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei. "It's not going to escalate the conflict, it's going to end the conflict," Netanyahu replied, not denying Trump's rejection nor such Israeli plans. Israel, he added, is "doing what we need to do". Trump himself remains elusive about his plans. While he has approved plans to attack Iran, he has reportedly made no final decision. Recent reports suggest that Trump is waiting to see if he can get Iran to renounce its nuclear programme by threatening to join Israel's attacks.
