Latest news with #AlimohammadNaini
Newsweek
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Iran Threatens 'Devastating and Decisive Response' If Attacked
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Iran's Revolutionary Guards have issued a sharp warning, vowing a "devastating and decisive response" if Israel initiates any military action against Iranian nuclear facilities. The statement, delivered through state media, came after reports that U.S. intelligence believes Israel may be preparing for a potential strike on Iranian nuclear sites. The escalating rhetoric coincides with renewed diplomatic efforts, as Tehran and Washington prepare for a fifth round of nuclear talks in Rome on Friday. At the center of the impasse is Iran's insistence on its right to enrich uranium on its own soil—something the U.S. and its allies view as a potential pathway to nuclear weapons. Newsweek has reached out to the State Department and the foreign ministries of Iran and Israel for comment. Why It Matters The possibility of direct military confrontation between Iran and Israel has grown amid mounting tensions and stalled diplomacy. A failed deal—or one seen as inadequate by Israel—could lead to preemptive strikes that might ignite a broader regional conflict. The nuclear negotiations are now a critical diplomatic flashpoint with global stakes. While Tehran says that its nuclear program is exclusively for civilian use, its refusal to curb uranium enrichment has raised alarms in Israel and the West. Iran's leaders say they have no intention of building a bomb, but continue to expand their nuclear infrastructure as talks drag on. A Revolutionary Guard member stands guard in front of an Iranian domestically built missile displayed during Basij paramilitary force rally in support of the Palestinians in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. A Revolutionary Guard member stands guard in front of an Iranian domestically built missile displayed during Basij paramilitary force rally in support of the Palestinians in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. Vahid Salemi/AP Photo What to Know The Revolutionary Guards' (IRGC) warning marks a sharp escalation in Iran's military rhetoric, signaling Tehran's readiness to respond forcefully to any attack. Spokesperson Alimohammad Naini said adversaries are "miscalculating" Iran's capabilities, stressing the country's strong military and popular backing in wartime. Iran and Israel directly exchanged fire in April and October of last year. U.S.-Iran Talks Face Major Obstacle Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X before departing for the nuclear talks, clearly stating Iran's red line in the upcoming negotiations: a deal is possible if the U.S. demands "zero nuclear weapons," but not if it insists on "zero enrichment." He concluded his message with a stark ultimatum—"Time to decide." Set to travel to Rome for 5th round of indirect talks with the United States. Figuring out the path to a deal is not rocket science: Zero nuclear weapons = we DO have a deal. Zero enrichment = we do NOT have a deal. Time to decide... — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 22, 2025 Weapons Grade Friday's talks in Rome come ahead of a June meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the October deadline tied to the 2015 nuclear deal. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) aimed to stop Iran from developing a nuclear bomb. The deal has been severely undermined since President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. in 2018. Since then, Iran has expanded its nuclear program, enriching uranium to 60 percent—well above the 3.67 percent limit but below weapons-grade levels. What People Are Saying IRGC spokesperson Alimohammad Naini stated: "They are trying to frighten us with war but are miscalculating as they are unaware of the powerful popular and military support the Islamic Republic can muster in war conditions." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: "As the president told me, and he's told all of you, this deal with Iran could end in two ways. It could end in a very positive diplomatic solution, or it could end in a very negative situation for Iran." What Happens Next Iran and the U.S. are scheduled to resume nuclear negotiations on Friday at noon in Rome, with uranium enrichment remaining the core issue likely to determine the outcome of any future agreement. The stakes are high, as failure to reach a deal could escalate tensions and increase the risk of regional conflict.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iran's Revolutionary Guards warn Israel against any attack
DUBAI (Reuters) -Israel will receive a "devastating and decisive response" if it attacks Iran, Tehran's Revolutionary Guards said on Thursday, days after CNN reported U.S. intelligence suggesting Israel was making preparations to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. "They are trying to frighten us with war but are miscalculating as they are unaware of the powerful popular and military support the Islamic Republic can muster in war conditions," Guards spokesperson Alimohammad Naini said, according to state media. Tehran and Washington will hold a fifth round of nuclear talks on Friday in Rome amid strong disagreement over uranium enrichment in Iran, which the U.S. says is a possible pathway to developing nuclear bombs. Iran denies any such intent. It was not clear whether Israeli leaders have made a final decision on military action and there was disagreement within the U.S. government about whether the Israelis would ultimately decide to attack, CNN added, citing intelligence officials. A collapse of U.S.-Iran negotiations or a new nuclear deal that does not alleviate Israeli concerns about Iran developing nuclear weapons could motivate Israeli strikes against its regional arch-rival, diplomats say. On Tuesday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said U.S. demands that Tehran stop enriching uranium are "excessive and outrageous," state media reported, voicing doubts over whether talks on a new nuclear deal will succeed. Tehran maintains its nuclear energy programme is exclusively for civilian purposes. Iran and Israel engaged in direct exchanges of fire last year, in April and October, raising the risk of regional conflict.
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Iran's Revolutionary Guards warn Israel against any attack
DUBAI - Israel will receive a "devastating and decisive response" if it attacks Iran, Tehran's Revolutionary Guards said on Thursday, days after CNN reported U.S. intelligence suggesting Israel was making preparations to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. "They are trying to frighten us with war but are miscalculating as they are unaware of the powerful popular and military support the Islamic Republic can muster in war conditions," Guards spokesperson Alimohammad Naini said, according to state media. Tehran and Washington will hold a fifth round of nuclear talks on Friday in Rome amid strong disagreement over uranium enrichment in Iran, which the U.S. says is a possible pathway to developing nuclear bombs. Iran denies any such intent. It was not clear whether Israeli leaders have made a final decision on military action and there was disagreement within the U.S. government about whether the Israelis would ultimately decide to attack, CNN added, citing intelligence officials. A collapse of U.S.-Iran negotiations or a new nuclear deal that does not alleviate Israeli concerns about Iran developing nuclear weapons could motivate Israeli strikes against its regional arch-rival, diplomats say. On Tuesday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said U.S. demands that Tehran stop enriching uranium are "excessive and outrageous," state media reported, voicing doubts over whether talks on a new nuclear deal will succeed. Tehran maintains its nuclear energy programme is exclusively for civilian purposes. Iran and Israel engaged in direct exchanges of fire last year, in April and October, raising the risk of regional conflict. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
