Latest news with #Al-Alam
Rudaw Net
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iran ready for ‘both threats and diplomacy' from US, says FM
Also in Iran Iran replied to Trump via Oman, not UAE over Israel ties: official Kurdish, Azeri rights groups condemn ethnic unrest in Urmia Iran FM slams US pressure in phone call with Iraqi counterpart President Barzani congratulates Iranian leaders on Kurdish, Persian new years A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran's foreign minister on Friday downplayed the possibility of American military action against the Islamic republic, but said they stand ready 'for both threats and diplomacy' as Washington opens the door to new nuclear negotiations, state media reported. 'Anyone who speaks to the Iranian people with the language of threats will receive the same response,' Abbas Araghchi told Iran's state-owned Al-Alam news network. 'We are fully ready for both threats and diplomacy.' On Friday, United States President Donald Trump said his preference is to negotiate with Tehran on the nuclear file, but cautioned that 'bad things' would happen if no agreement is made. 'We can either have to talk and talk it out, or very bad things are going to happen to Iran,' he warned. On March 7, Trump told Fox Business that he had sent a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei signaling openness to new nuclear negotiations, but threatened possible military action if Iran refuses to cooperate stating, 'If we have to go in militarily, it's going to be a terrible thing for them.' The letter was delivered to Tehran through an Emirati emissary. Araghchi dismissed the possibility of direct talks with Washington but said that indirect talks 'can continue if necessary.' Under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear enrichment program in exchange for much-needed relief from crippling sanctions. The deal began unraveling in 2018 when Trump, during his first term, unilaterally withdrew the US from the accord and reimposed biting sanctions on Iran. Tehran waited a year and then gradually ramped up its nuclear activities. After returning to office, Trump in early February restored his maximum pressure policy on Tehran, arguing that it is 'too close' to a nuclear weapon.
Asharq Al-Awsat
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Iran Wants ‘Economic Benefits' Before Holding Talks with US
Iran said on Tuesday it will only sit at the negotiation table with the US administration if it gains 'economic benefits,' adding that its Foreign Ministry is drafting a response to President Donald Trump's invitation to talks. Speaking to Al-Alam television, Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf said Trump 'wants to impose his terms by force before sitting at the negotiating table, something Iran will not accept.' He then criticized Washington for failing to address the benefits Iran would gain from accepting the US demands. 'Iran does not say it will not negotiate,' the official said. But he noted that his country will sit at the negotiating table only if it benefits economically from the nuclear deal, such as exporting its oil, allowing Iranian banks to financially deal with the world, and investors to operate across the country. Regarding Trump's invitation letter to talks, Qalibaf said the Foreign Ministry will prepare an official response. He blamed Trump for withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal during his first term in office, despite the United States having signed the agreement. Meanwhile, a US spy drone retreated from near Iranian airspace after encountering Iranian F-14 fighter jets and reconnaissance drones, Iran's Tasnim said on Tuesday. Iran's armed forces remain on high alert, prepared for 'full-scale defense and a severe counterattack against enemy interests' in the Middle East, it said. Meanwhile on Monday, Iranian deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran 'remains committed' to cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In a post on his X account, Gharibabadi hailed the 'frank and constructive' discussion he had with Rafael Grossi, the IAEA chief, at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna. Gharibabadi said Iran and the IAEA could resolve their differences when the agency is free from external political pressure and adopts an 'independent, technical, impartial, and professional' approach.
