Latest news with #Ayatollah
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Trump wants Iran deal that lets US ‘blow up' nuclear sites, ‘whatever we want'
US President Donald Trump said he envisions a nuclear deal with Iran that would allow the destruction of 'whatever we want' in the country including labs, a version of an inspections regime that is likely to be rejected by Tehran. Advertisement Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, Trump briefly outlined his vision of 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 said. Trump also said he believed a deal with Iran could be completed within 'the next couple of weeks' and that talks had made 'a lot of progress'. But his comments about destroying nuclear facilities highlight a major sticking point between the two over whether Iran should be allowed to produce its own enriched uranium. An adviser to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, dismissed Trump's ideas. Advertisement '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 social media on Thursday.
Fox News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Iran's Khamenei says Americans should avoid talking 'nonsense' in nuke talks
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday called U.S. demands that Tehran stop enriching uranium entirely "utter nonsense" and questioned whether future nuclear talks could succeed. "For the Americans to say, 'We won't allow Iran to enrich uranium,' is utter nonsense," he said in a post on X. "We aren't waiting for anyone's permission. "The Islamic Republic has certain policies, and it will pursue them," he added, without expanding on what these policies are. Iran in recent years has been under international pressure to halt its nuclear program, as many fear Tehran is actually in pursuit of nuclear weapons development. Iran has not stated it intends to build a nuclear weapon, but it has enriched uranium to near-weapons grade and bolstered its missile program in what experts argue is an important step to ensure Tehran could fire a nuclear warhead. While uranium can be enriched for civil nuclear power and nations across the globe rely on nuclear energy, including the U.S., which utilizes nuclear energy to supply nearly 20% of its energy needs and is its largest source of clean energy, Iran's reliance on nuclear energy amounted to less than 1% in 2022, according to the International Energy Agency. The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's questions over whether it has in fact demanded that Tehran halt all uranium enrichment. However, Khamenei suggested the Trump administration's push to negotiate on Iran's nuclear program could be short-lived. "Indirect negotiations took place during Martyr Raisi's term similar to what's happening now. Needless to say, there was no result," he added in reference to negotiation attempts under the Biden administration. "We don't think these negotiations will yield results now either. We don't know what will happen." Reports suggested that the fifth round of nuclear talks could take place this weekend in Rome, but Khamenei, as well as his Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, said Iran had not yet agreed to the talks following the U.S.' latest demands. "A date has been suggested, but we have not yet accepted it," Araqchi told reporters Tuesday, according to a Reuters report. "We are witnessing positions on the U.S. side that do not go along with any logic and are creating problems for the negotiations. "That's why we have not determined the next round of talks, we are reviewing the matter and hope logic will prevail," Araqchi added.
LBCI
17-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Iran's Khamanei says US 'must and will leave' region
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Saturday that the United States "must and will leave" the region, following a visit to Gulf Arab states by President Donald Trump. "With the determination of the region's nations, America must and will leave this region," Khamenei said in a televised address, criticizing what he called a failed U.S. model aimed at keeping Gulf states dependent on U.S. support. AFP
Newsweek
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Satellite Images Reveals Iran Building New Warship
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. New satellite images appear to show Iran constructing a large catamaran warship at its Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval facility in Bandar Bahonar, southern Iran. The vessel, analyzed by open-source intelligence monitors, is significantly larger and more heavily armed than many current IRGC naval assets, indicating a potential expansion of Tehran's maritime ambitions as regional tensions rise and the third round of U.S.-Iran talks approaches. Newsweek reached out to the Pentagon and Iran's foreign ministry for comment. Why It Matters The emergence of this new vessel suggests Iran's intention to diversify beyond its traditional asymmetric naval strategy. The timing is notable: it comes amid New York Times reports that Israeli officials were preparing for potential military action against Iranian assets, heightening Tehran's focus on regional deterrence. The ship's construction also coincides with resumed diplomacy—specifically, the upcoming third round of U.S.-Iran talks scheduled for Saturday. Satellite image of Iran's IRGC naval facilities in Bandar Bahonar, southern Iran, on April 22, 2025. Satellite image of Iran's IRGC naval facilities in Bandar Bahonar, southern Iran, on April 22, 2025. Google Earth What To Know The catamaran, which may be an enlarged successor to Iran's Shahid Soleimani-class warship, could support drone or submarine capabilities, though its final role is still unclear. Although official specifications remain undisclosed, the ship's design suggests extended operational range and increased payload capacity. Separately, a senior Iranian commander recently claimed the country has acquired "ultra-secret" advanced weaponry, underscoring broader defense modernization efforts across multiple military branches, according to state media. Iran is building a new large trimaran-type warship in Bandar Baonar in the south of the country At 77 m long and 24-27 m wide, it is larger than the IRGC Navy's current Shahid Soleimani-class missile corvettes (65 m long, 14.5 m wide). — Sprinter Observer (@SprinterObserve) April 23, 2025 Iran's Naval Shift Historically reliant on fast-attack craft and swarm tactics in narrow waters like the Strait of Hormuz, Iran is now exploring larger vessels. This evolution reflects experience from regional engagements, including operations involving Yemen's Houthi forces, where uncrewed boats and sea mines have been used to achieve tactical outcomes. Military Expansion Iran has recently accelerated the development of its defense infrastructure, including drone carriers, missile systems, and fortified underground complexes known as "missile cities." Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised the country's armed forces as a "wall and shelter for the country against any aggressor," emphasizing the importance of maintaining "maximum readiness" despite the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Washington. This image provided by Sepahnews of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard shows Iran's first drone-carrier warship in the Persian Gulf. This image provided by Sepahnews of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard shows Iran's first drone-carrier warship in the Persian Gulf. Sepahnews/AP Photo What People Are Saying Brigadier General Kioumars Heydari, commander of Iran's Ground Force: "We possess highly advanced weapons, some of which are secret or even ultra-secret. These are extremely sophisticated systems that utilize artificial intelligence. Although still classified as conventional weapons, their capabilities are exceptional." President Donald Trump wrote on social media, warning Iran: "Do NOT threaten the American People, their President... or Worldwide shipping lanes. If you do, BEWARE, because America will hold you fully accountable and, we won't be nice about it!" What Happens Next The warship's intended mission and commissioning timeline remain unknown, but its development is likely to draw scrutiny from Western and regional powers as Iran advances its naval capabilities amid continued geopolitical strain.
National News
06-04-2025
- Politics
- National News
Khamenei puts Iran's armed forces on high alert
NNA - Reuters news agency, citing an unnamed senior Iranian official, reported that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered forces to be placed on high alert. The agency said, "Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has placed Iran's armed forces on high alert." According to the agency's source, Tehran fears it only has about two months to conclude a deal with the United States, because if negotiations drag on, Israel could launch an attack on Iran. The Iranian official told the agency that this would lead to the reimposition of all international sanctions on Iran.
