Latest news with #AliShamkhani
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Iran calls Trump wish for deal that lets US ‘blow up' nuclear sites a fantasy
Donald Trump has reportedly outlined a vision for a nuclear deal that would let the US enter Iranian facilities and 'blow up' any infrastructure deemed a threat. Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, the US president said he was looking for a deal 'that is very strong, where we can go in with inspectors. We can take whatever we want. We can blow up whatever we want. But nobody getting killed'. He claimed such a deal could be reached in 'the next couple of weeks' and expressed optimism that there had been 'a lot of progress' in ongoing talks, Bloomberg reported. Iranian officials, including a top adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, rejected Mr Trump's views as a fantasy. 'Accessing Iran 's nuclear sites and 'blowing up infrastructure' is a fantasy past US presidents shared. Iran is independent, with strong defences, resilient people, and clear red lines,' Ali Shamkhani said in a post on X on Thursday. 'Talks serve progress, interests, and dignity, not coercion or surrender.' Mr Trump also said he had advised Israeli prime minister Netanyahu not to attack Iran as it could disrupt Washington's negotiations with Tehran. He was responding to a question about reports that Israel had renewed its plan to strike Iran. Instead, Mr Trump said, he suggested a plan where the US could target Iran's weapons infrastructure through an agreement, destroying facilities without harming people. 'We can blow up a lab, but nobody's going to be in the lab, as opposed to everybody being in the lab and blowing it up, right?' he said. Senior Iranian officials on Thursday rejected speculation about an impending nuclear deal with the US, stressing that any agreement must lift all Western sanctions and permit the continuation of Iran's nuclear programme, the Associated Press reported. 'Iran is sincere about a diplomatic solution that will serve the interests of all sides. But getting there requires an agreement that will fully terminate all sanctions and uphold Iran's nuclear rights, including enrichment,' Abbas Araghchi, the country's foreign minister, said on X. Mr Trump has repeatedly warned of airstrikes against Iran's nuclear programme if negotiations fail, while Iranian officials have hinted that they might pursue a nuclear weapon using their existing uranium stockpile. The US and Iran have held five rounds of negotiations in Oman and Rome in recent weeks. Following the latest round last Friday, Omani mediator, foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi, said the two sides had made 'some but not conclusive progress', adding that further talks were necessary.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Iran says a U.S. nuclear deal isn't imminent and that its enrichment program must continue
In this photo released by the Iranian Presidency Office, President Masoud Pezeshkian, left, speaks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said during their meeting in Muscat, Oman, Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Iranian Presidency Office via AP) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Senior Iranian officials on Thursday dismissed speculation about an imminent nuclear deal with the United States, emphasizing that any agreement must fully lift sanctions and allow the country's nuclear program to continue. 'Iran is sincere about a diplomatic solution that will serve the interests of all sides. But getting there requires an agreement that will fully terminate all sanctions and uphold Iran's nuclear rights—including enrichment,' Abbas Araghchi, the country's foreign minister, wrote in a post on the X. Ali Shamkhani, a top advisor to the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on X that previous U.S. presidents also had 'fantasies' destroying Iran's nuclear infrastructure, and warned that Iran has strong defenses and 'clear red lines.' 'Talks serve progress, interests, and dignity, not coercion or surrender,' he said. The comments came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said he has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold off on striking Iran to give the U.S. administration more time to push for a new nuclear deal with Tehran. The Israeli prime minister's office did not respond to a request for comment. Trump has repeatedly threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Iran's program, if a deal isn't reached, while Iranian officials counter they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium. Other Iranian hard-liners had harsher words for Trump. 'What Trump says about a deal with Iran to dismantle nuclear facilities is a combination of 'illusion,' 'bluff,' 'delirium,' and 'confusion,'' Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander in the country's powerful Revolutionary Guard, said in a post on X. The talks seek to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some of the crushing economic sanctions the U.S. has imposed on the Islamic Republic, which have acrimonious ties for nearly a half-century. The U.S. and Iran have held five rounds of talks in Oman and Rome over the past few weeks. Last Friday, the most recent round of talks, Omani mediator and Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said Iran and the United States made ' some but not conclusive progress ' and that more negotiations are needed. Trump's comments came as the head of the United Nations' atomic watchdog said 'the jury is still out' on negotiations between Iran and the U.S. over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program. Officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency were in Tehran this week, and Iranian President President Masoud Pezeshkian was in Oman this week for a state visit, The Associated Press
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Iran says a US nuclear deal isn't imminent and that its enrichment program must continue
Senior Iranian officials on Thursday dismissed speculation about an imminent nuclear deal with the United States, emphasizing that any agreement must fully lift sanctions and allow the country's nuclear program to continue. 'Iran is sincere about a diplomatic solution that will serve the interests of all sides. But getting there requires an agreement that will fully terminate all sanctions and uphold Iran's nuclear rights—including enrichment,' Abbas Araghchi, the country's foreign minister, wrote in a post on the X. Ali Shamkhani, a top advisor to the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on X that previous U.S. presidents also had 'fantasies' destroying Iran's nuclear infrastructure, and warned that Iran has strong defenses and 'clear red lines.' 'Talks serve progress, interests, and dignity, not coercion or surrender,' he said. The comments came a day after President Donald Trump said he has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold off on striking Iran to give the U.S. administration more time to push for a new nuclear deal with Tehran. The Israeli prime minister's office did not respond to a request for comment. Trump has repeatedly threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Iran's program, if a deal isn't reached, while Iranian officials counter they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium. Other Iranian hard-liners had harsher words for Trump. 'What Trump says about a deal with Iran to dismantle nuclear facilities is a combination of 'illusion,' 'bluff,' 'delirium,' and 'confusion,'' Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander in the country's powerful Revolutionary Guard, said in a post on X. The talks seek to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some of the crushing economic sanctions the U.S. has imposed on the Islamic Republic, which have acrimonious ties for nearly a half-century. The U.S. and Iran have held five rounds of talks in Oman and Rome over the past few weeks. Last Friday, the most recent round of talks, Omani mediator and Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said Iran and the United States made ' some but not conclusive progress " and that more negotiations are needed. Trump's comments came as the head of the United Nations' atomic watchdog said 'the jury is still out' on negotiations between Iran and the U.S. over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program. Officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency were in Tehran this week, and Iranian President President Masoud Pezeshkian was in Oman this week for a state visit,
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Iran says a US nuclear deal isn't imminent and that its enrichment program must continue
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Senior Iranian officials on Thursday dismissed speculation about an imminent nuclear deal with the United States, emphasizing that any agreement must fully lift sanctions and allow the country's nuclear program to continue. 'Iran is sincere about a diplomatic solution that will serve the interests of all sides. But getting there requires an agreement that will fully terminate all sanctions and uphold Iran's nuclear rights—including enrichment,' Abbas Araghchi, the country's foreign minister, wrote in a post on the X. Ali Shamkhani, a top advisor to the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on X that previous U.S. presidents also had 'fantasies' destroying Iran's nuclear infrastructure, and warned that Iran has strong defenses and 'clear red lines.' 'Talks serve progress, interests, and dignity, not coercion or surrender,' he said. The comments came a day after President Donald Trump said he has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold off on striking Iran to give the U.S. administration more time to push for a new nuclear deal with Tehran. The Israeli prime minister's office did not respond to a request for comment. Trump has repeatedly threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Iran's program, if a deal isn't reached, while Iranian officials counter they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium. Other Iranian hard-liners had harsher words for Trump. 'What Trump says about a deal with Iran to dismantle nuclear facilities is a combination of 'illusion,' 'bluff,' 'delirium,' and 'confusion,'' Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander in the country's powerful Revolutionary Guard, said in a post on X. The talks seek to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some of the crushing economic sanctions the U.S. has imposed on the Islamic Republic, which have acrimonious ties for nearly a half-century. The U.S. and Iran have held five rounds of talks in Oman and Rome over the past few weeks. Last Friday, the most recent round of talks, Omani mediator and Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said Iran and the United States made ' some but not conclusive progress " and that more negotiations are needed. Trump's comments came as the head of the United Nations' atomic watchdog said 'the jury is still out' on negotiations between Iran and the U.S. over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program. Officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency were in Tehran this week, and Iranian President President Masoud Pezeshkian was in Oman this week for a state visit,
Times of Oman
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
US, Iran 'close' to nuclear deal, says Donald Trump
Doha: US President Donald Trump said the US is close to reaching a nuclear deal with Iran, citing "very serious negotiations" for long-term peace, Al Jazeera reported. Trump made the remarks in Qatar during the second leg of his Gulf tour on Thursday, before heading to the United Arab Emirates, stating that Tehran has "sort of" agreed to the terms. Trump said "We're in very serious negotiations with Iran for long-term peace." "We're not going to be making any nuclear dust in Iran," he said. "I think we're getting close to maybe doing a deal without having to do this." Trump said he was basing his optimism on new statements by Iran. "You probably read today the story about Iran. It's sort of agreed to the terms," he said. According to Al Jazeera, Trump did not specify which remarks he was referring to, but an adviser to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ali Shamkhani, said in a US media interview this week that Tehran was willing to accept far-reaching curbs on its nuclear programme. "I want them [Iran] to succeed, I want them to end up being a great country," Trump added on Thursday, "but they can't have a nuclear weapon; that's the only thing, it's very simple." The US and Iran have intensified negotiations, with the fourth round of talks recently held in Oman. A new proposal has been submitted to Tehran during the fourth round of talks and both sides express preference for a diplomatic solution. However, significant differences remain, as per Al Jazeera. Trump and Iranian leaders have made notable statements. Trump described Iran as the "most destructive force" in the Middle East, prompting a strong response from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Pezeshkian accused the US of fueling regional instability and claimed Trump's goal is to create unrest within Iran. "Trump thinks he can sanction and threaten us and then talk of human rights. All the crimes and regional instability is caused by them [the United States]," he said. "He wants to create instability inside Iran." Meanwhile, Qatar has taken on a key mediating role between the US and Iran. Trump praised Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, saying Iran should thank him for advocating against military action. Speaking in Doha, Trump said Iran should "say a big thank you" to Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who had pressed the US leader to avoid military action. "Iran is very lucky to have the emir because he's actually fighting for them. He doesn't want us to do a vicious blow to Iran," Trump said.
