Latest news with #EsmailBaqaei
Newsweek
a day ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Iran Builds Alliance with China and Russia in Face of US Threat
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, China and Russia are set to discuss the threat of sanctions and its nuclear program in a meeting in Tehran on Tuesday, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department for comment. Why It Matters Iran is actively seeking support from Russia and China in the aftermath of U.S. airstrikes that damaged key nuclear facilities during a 12-day conflict with Israel last month. The meeting comes during ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear program and stalled talks with the United States. President Donald Trump said he would hit Iranian nuclear sites again "if necessary," reiterating his warning to Tehran that it should abandon its ambitions to keep enriching uranium — which Iran has said it will not agree to. This handout photo made available by the Iranian Army Office on March 12, 2025 shows navy vessels taking part in a joint Iranian-Russian-Chinese military drill in the Gulf of Oman. This handout photo made available by the Iranian Army Office on March 12, 2025 shows navy vessels taking part in a joint Iranian-Russian-Chinese military drill in the Gulf of Oman. Iranian Army Office/AFP/Getty Images What To Know "We are in constant consultation with these two countries to prevent activation of the snapback or to mitigate its consequences," Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said at a press briefing on Monday in reference to a snapback mechanism for sanctions if there is no deal on Iran's nuclear program. "We have aligned positions and good relations," he was quoted as saying by Iran International outlet. Iran and Russia have launched joint naval drills this week in the Caspian Sea, while top Iranian officials, including Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh and senior adviser Ali Larijani, met with Russia's leadership and President Vladimir Putin in Moscow this week. Iran's army announced a heightened state of readiness, warning it would deliver a "crushing and devastating response" to any future strikes on its military or nuclear installations. In 2015, Iran and several world powers including France, the United Kingdom, and Germany, signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an agreement aimed at limiting Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. The JCPOA is set to expire in October. The U.S. exited the accord in 2018 under Trump, reimposing sanctions. Tehran says its program is civilian, but the U.S. and ally Israel accuse it of seeking nuclear weapons. "We cannot give up enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists. And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride," Araghchi told Fox News' Bret Baier on Monday. What People Are Saying China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a press briefing Monday, as quoted by IRNA: "The Iranian nuclear issue is concerned with peace and security in the Middle East and is also concerned with the international non-proliferation regime. We always believe a diplomatic approach should be used to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, and this is the only right way. We call on all parties to walk in the same direction and contribute to the political settlement track of the Iranian nuclear issue." Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a letter to UN and EU representatives: "The E3 must heed their own advice to the US in their letter of 20 Aug 2020 and "refrain from any action that would only deepen divisions in the Security Council or that would have serious adverse consequences on its work." Russia Foreign Ministry on Sunday: "At the instruction of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Ali Larijani presented the views of the Islamic Republic on the current escalation in the Middle East and, notably, surrounding Iran's nuclear programme. The Russian Side expressed support for stabilising the situation in the region and resolving any issues pertaining to Iran's nuclear programme via political means." What Happens Next Tehran will meet with France, Britain, and Germany (E3) in Istanbul on Friday for renewed nuclear talks. The continued standoff over itrs nuclear program increases the risk of further military action by Israel or the United States.
LBCI
2 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Iran says to host China, Russia for talks on nuclear issue
Tehran said it will host China and Russia on Tuesday for talks on its nuclear program, amid European threats to reimpose sanctions. "A trilateral consultation" with Russia and China would be held in the Iranian capital to discuss nuclear issues and the potential reimposition of sanctions, foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei told a news conference on Monday. AFP
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Iran accuses Europe of violating 2015 nuclear deal terms
TEHRAN:** Iran has accused Britain, France, and Germany of failing to respect the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal, following threats from the European nations to reimpose sanctions over Tehran's atomic programme. The agreement, signed between Iran and the UN Security Council's permanent members—Britain, China, France, Russia, and the US—plus Germany, imposed restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. The deal collapsed after the US withdrew unilaterally in 2018 under former President Donald Trump, reinstating heavy sanctions. Despite European pledges to uphold the agreement, efforts to counter US sanctions proved ineffective, forcing many Western companies to exit Iran and worsening its economic crisis. 'The European parties have been at fault and negligent in implementing the nuclear agreement,' said Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei. The International Atomic Energy Agency reports that Iran is enriching uranium to 60%, far exceeding the 3.67% limit set by the 2015 deal and nearing the 90% threshold required for nuclear weapons. In recent weeks, France, Britain, and Germany have threatened to trigger the UN snapback mechanism to restore sanctions, accusing Iran of violating its commitments. Baqaei dismissed the move as 'meaningless, unjustifiable, and immoral,' arguing that Iran only scaled back compliance after Western nations failed to uphold their obligations. 'Iran's reduction of its commitments was carried out in accordance with the provisions outlined in the agreement,' he added. - AFP
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Iran accuses Europeans of not respecting 2015 nuclear deal
Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed country currently enriching uranium to 60%. (Atomic Energy Organization of Iran/AP pic) TEHRAN : Tehran today accused Britain, France and Germany of failing to respect the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, after they threatened to re-impose sanctions over its atomic programme. The 2015 deal, reached between Iran and the UN Security Council's permanent members – Britain, China, France, Russia and the US – plus Germany imposed curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. But it unravelled when the US in 2018, during Donald Trump's first term as president, unilaterally withdrew from the accord and re-imposed sweeping sanctions. The Europeans had pledged continued support for the deal, but the mechanism intended to offset US sanctions never materialised effectively and many western firms were forced to exit Iran, which has since faced a deepening economic crisis. 'The European parties have been at fault and negligent in implementing' the nuclear agreement, said Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei. The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed country currently enriching uranium to 60% – far beyond the 3.67% cap set by the 2015 accord. That is a short step from the 90% required for a nuclear weapon. In recent weeks, France, Britain and Germany have threatened to trigger the UN snapback mechanism to re-impose sanctions on Tehran, accusing Iran of breaching its nuclear commitments. Using this clause 'is meaningless, unjustifiable and immoral', Baqaei told a news conference, arguing that Iran only began distancing itself from the agreement in response to western non-compliance. 'Iran's reduction of its commitments was carried out in accordance with the provisions outlined in the agreement,' the foreign ministry spokesman added.
Roya News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Roya News
Iran says to host China, Russia on Tuesday for talks on nuclear issue
Tehran said it will host China and Russia on Tuesday for talks on its nuclear programme, amid European threats to reimpose sanctions. "A trilateral consultation" with Russia and China would be held in the Iranian capital to discuss nuclear issues and the potential reimposition of sanctions, foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei told a news conference on Monday.
