Latest news with #EsmaeilBaqaei
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Iran demands guarantees before returning to nuclear negotiating table
In response to a question about whether Iran has specific preconditions for resuming negotiations with the United States, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said any talks should not be held in 'deception.' 'We will not enter into such a process until we are sure of the effectiveness of diplomacy and the negotiation process,' Esmaeil Baqaei stressed, adding that diplomacy should not be stigmatised but should be used as 'a tool and an opportunity.' Addressing a weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday, he emphasised that no one has the right to deprive Iran of this tool to explain its point of view, defend its interests. According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Baqaei has once again warned the European signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal against using the so-called snapback mechanism that would re-impose UN sanctions on Iran if activated. Baqaei said that resorting to a mechanism, which was included in the UN Security Council's Resolution 2231 endorsing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for specific reasons, lacks any legal, political, or moral basis. Baqaei touched on the approach of China and Russia, saying the two friendly nations have always been ready to help resolve the Iranian nuclear issue. He denied any specific proposal or a package from Moscow and Beijing but said that they remain in contact such as during the BRICS Summit or as Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has travelled to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Ministerial Meeting, which will be a good opportunity to continue consultations. WAM
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Iran says 'no specific date' for US nuclear talks
Iran said Monday it had "no specific date" for a meeting with the United States on Tehran's nuclear programme, following a war with Israel that had derailed negotiations. "For now, no specific date, time or location has been determined regarding this matter," said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei of plans for a meeting between Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff. Araghchi and Witkoff met starting in April, without concluding a deal after five rounds of talks that were the highest-level contact between their two countries since Washington in 2018 abandoned a landmark nuclear agreement. The Omani-mediated negotiations were halted as Israel launched surprise strikes on the nuclear facilities of its staunch enemy Iran on June 13, starting a 12-day war which the United States later joined. AFP
Leaders
2 days ago
- Politics
- Leaders
‘No Specific Date' for US Nuclear Talks: Senior Iranian Official
Tehran announced on Monday it had 'no specific date' for a meeting with the US concerning the nuclear talks, according to AFP. 'For now, no specific date, time or location has been determined regarding this matter,' Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said regarding the plans for a meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff. Iran has held several negations with Washington on Tehran's nuclear program before Israel attacked Iran's nuclear facilities on June 13. The US became directly involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran on June 22 after launching airstrikes on the Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. Araqchi said that if the US and others wish to resume nuclear talks with Iran, 'first of all, there should be a firm guarantee that such actions will not be repeated.' 'We have been serious in diplomacy and the negotiation process, we entered with good faith, but as everyone witnessed, before the sixth round the Zionist regime, in coordination with the United States, committed military aggression against Iran,' Baqaei said. Meanwhile, Araqchi stated that Tehran would restart nuclear talks with the US if there were assurances of no more attacks against Iran, according to The Associated Press. He also noted that Iran has always been ready and will be ready in the future for talks about its nuclear program. However, 'assurance should be provided that in case of a resumption of talks, the trend will not lead to war.' Related Topics: Russia Denies Backing Iran's Zero Enrichment Nuclear Deal Iranian Cooperation with IAEA to 'Take on New Form': FM Araqchi Israel Warns: Iran Could Retrieve Enriched Uranium After US Strikes Short link : Post Views: 63
Daily Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
No Meeting Set Yet Between Iran and U.S. Over Nuclear Talks After War with Israel
Iran has said there's currently no scheduled meeting with the United States to resume stalled nuclear talks, following the recent 12-day war with Israel that disrupted ongoing negotiations. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed on Monday that no date, time, or place has been set for a possible meeting between Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. "At this point, no specific arrangements have been made," Baqaei told reporters. Iran and the U.S. had been engaged in direct talks since April, aiming to find common ground on Tehran's nuclear program. But those efforts were put on hold when Israel launched surprise military strikes on June 13, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. The U.S. later joined the strikes. "We approached the negotiations with good faith," Baqaei added, "but as the world saw, before the sixth round of talks, the Zionist regime—with U.S. support—chose aggression over diplomacy." The conflict escalated quickly. On June 22, the U.S. carried out its own strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, including the Fordo enrichment plant and sites in Isfahan and Natanz. The full extent of the damage is still unclear. Israel reportedly launched hundreds of airstrikes, killing several top Iranian scientists and military officers, and damaging multiple military and nuclear sites. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory and also targeted a U.S. military base in Qatar, marking a dangerous turn in regional tensions. Israel and its Western allies have long accused Iran of secretly working toward nuclear weapons. Iran denies the allegation, insisting its program is peaceful. Although Iran is the only non-nuclear state enriching uranium up to 60% — a level close to weapons-grade — the UN nuclear watchdog says there is no evidence Iran is currently trying to build a bomb. The future of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks remains uncertain as diplomatic efforts are overshadowed by recent violence.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
No specific date set for nuclear talks with U.S., says Iran
Iran said on Monday (July 14, 2025) it had 'no specific date' for a meeting with the United States on Tehran's nuclear programme, following a war with Israel that had derailed negotiations. 'For now, no specific date, time or location has been determined regarding this matter,' said Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei of plans for a meeting between Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. Also read: Trump says Iran has 'second chance' to come to nuclear deal as Israel and Iran exchange blows Mr. Araghchi and Mr. Witkoff met starting in April, without concluding a deal after five rounds of talks, which were the highest-level contact between their two countries since Washington abandoned a landmark nuclear agreement in 2018. The Omani-mediated negotiations were halted as Israel launched surprise strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities on June 13, starting a 12-day war which the United States later joined. 'We have been serious in diplomacy and the negotiation process, we entered with good faith, but as everyone witnessed, before the sixth round, the Zionist regime, in coordination with the United States, committed military aggression against Iran', Mr. Baqaei said. Israel and Western nations accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran has consistently denied. While it is the only non-nuclear power to enrich uranium to 60% purity, close to the level needed for a warhead, the UN's atomic energy watchdog has said it had no indication that Iran was working to weaponise its stockpiles. Also read: Iran says it has not requested U.S. talks since war Israel's offensive last month, which it said was aimed at thwarting a nuclear threat from the Islamic republic, killed nuclear scientists and top-ranking military officers as well as hitting military, nuclear and other sites and residential areas. The United States launched its own set of strikes against Iran's nuclear programme on June 22, hitting the uranium enrichment facility at Fordo, in Qom province south of Tehran, as well as nuclear sites in Isfahan and Natanz. The extent of the damage from the strikes remains unknown, and Baqaei said it was 'still under investigation'. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel and attacked a US base in Qatar in retaliation for Washington's strikes. Sanctions Mr. Baqaei said on Monday (July 14, 2025) that Iran remains in contact with Britain, France, and Germany, the three European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal that the United States later withdrew from. The Europeans have threatened to trigger the 'snapback' mechanism under the 2015 agreement, which allows the reimposition of UN sanctions in the event of non-compliance. Mr. Baqaei said Tehran was 'in continuous contact with these three countries' but added that he 'cannot provide an exact date' for the next meeting with them. There was 'no legal, moral or political basis' for reimposing sanctions, according to Baqaei, as Iran was still committed to the 2015 agreement. Also read: Iran says to submit own nuclear proposal to U.S. soon The Ministry spokesman added that such a move would be met with an 'appropriate and proportionate' response, following Iranian threats to quit the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. After the United States pulled out of the nuclear accord during Donald Trump's first term as President, Iran began rolling back its commitments to the agreement that restricts its atomic activities in return for sanctions relief. 'The Islamic Republic of Iran still considers itself a member of the JCPOA,' Baqaei said of the 2015 deal.
