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Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Iran obtained ‘sensitive' Israeli intelligence: state TV
Iran and Israel have waged a years-long campaign of covert and overt operations against each other. PHOTO: ARASH KHAMOOSHI/NYTIMES TEHRAN - Iranian state television reported on June 7 that Tehran had obtained a trove of 'strategic and sensitive' Israeli intelligence, including files related to Israel's nuclear facilities and defence plans. 'Iran's intelligence apparatus has obtained a vast quantity of strategic and sensitive information and documents belonging to the Zionist regime (Israel),' the state broadcaster said, citing informed regional sources. The report did not include any details on the documents or how Iran had obtained them. The intelligence reportedly included 'thousands of documents related to that regime's nuclear plans and facilities,' it added. Iranian intelligence agencies and other state media did not immediately comment on the report. According to state television, 'the data haul was extracted during a covert operation', and included a 'vast volume of materials – including documents, images, and videos'. The report said the data was thoroughly reviewed by Iranian authorities after being securely transferred to the country. Iran and Israel have waged a years-long campaign of covert and overt operations against each other, ranging from cyberattacks and assassinations to drone strikes and acts of sabotage. Tehran accuses Israel of orchestrating the killings of several of its nuclear scientists, while Israel has blamed Iran for supporting militant groups across the region and targeting Israeli interests abroad. Western countries, led by the United States and Israel, Iran's sworn enemy and considered by experts to be the only nuclear power in the Middle East, accuse Tehran of wanting to acquire nuclear weapons. Iran denies having such military ambitions but insists on its right to civilian nuclear power under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, to which it is a signatory. The report comes amid ongoing tensions surrounding Iran's nuclear programme, which Israeli leaders view as an existential threat. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently expressed support for bombing Iran's nuclear infrastructure. In 2024 , tensions between the two foes reached an all-time high as they exchanged direct fire amid Israel's ongoing war in Gaza. Iran, which has made support for the Palestinian cause a key tenet of its foreign policy since the 1979 revolution, does not recognise Israel. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
01-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Iran warns of retaliation if Europeans 'exploit' UN nuclear report
Iran's total amount of enriched uranium now exceeds 45 times the limit authorised by a landmark 2015 agreement with world powers. PHOTO: ARASH KHAMOOSHI/NYTIMES TEHRAN - Iran on June 1 warned it would retaliate if European powers that have threatened to reimpose nuclear sanctions 'exploit' a UN report showing Tehran has stepped up production of highly enriched uranium. The report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran had sharply increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to up to 60 per cent, close to the roughly 90 per cent level needed for atomic weapons. Iran's total amount of enriched uranium now exceeds 45 times the limit authorised by a landmark 2015 agreement with world powers, and is estimated at 9,247.6kg, according to the confidential IAEA report seen by AFP. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a statement he had told IAEA chief Rafael Grossi in a phone call that 'Iran will respond to any inappropriate action by the European parties' to the 2015 agreement, referring to Britain, France and Germany. The European trio have warned they could reimpose sanctions if they deemed Iran's nuclear programme a threat to the continent's security. Mr Araghchi urged Grossi in their May 31 call to stop 'parties from exploiting' the nuclear watchdog report 'to advance their political objectives', according to the statement. The IAEA Board of Governors is set to review Iran's nuclear activities in its upcoming quarterly meeting in Vienna starting June 9. Iran rejected the IAEA report, the latest move in years-long efforts to restrict its nuclear activities over fears that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. The Islamic republic has denied seeking nuclear arms and says it needs the uranium for civilian power production. The report was leaked as Iran and the United States have been engaged in negotiations towards a new nuclear deal, after Washington had unilaterally abandoned the agreement between Tehran and world powers in 2018, during President Donald Trump's first term. US proposal Mr Araghchi said on May 31 that he had received 'elements' of a US proposal for a potential nuclear deal following five rounds of talks mediated by Oman. Iran would respond 'in line with the principles, national interests and rights' of its people, Mr Araghchi added in a post on X. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the United States 'has sent a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime, and it's in their best interest to accept it', the New York Times reported. The proposal was described as a series of bullet points rather than a full draft, according to the New York Times, citing officials familiar with the diplomatic exchanges. It calls on Iran to stop all enrichment of uranium and proposes creating a regional grouping to produce nuclear power, which would include Iran, Saudi Arabia and other Arab states, as well as the United States. Mr Trump adopted a 'maximum pressure' policy against Tehran after withdrawing from the 2015 agreement and reimposed sweeping sanctions which the deal had lifted in return for UN-monitored restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities. Iran has ramped up its nuclear activities since the collapse of the deal, and is now enriching uranium to 60 per cent – far above the deal's 3.67 percent cap but below the 90 per cent needed for weapons-grade material. The 2015 deal provides for the possibility of UN sanctions being reimposed through a mechanism called 'snapback' if Iran fails to fulfil its commitments, an option that expires in October. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
