Latest news with #Ghalibaf
Khaleej Times
5 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Iran says no sanctions relief in US nuclear proposal
Iran's parliament speaker said on Sunday that the latest US proposal for a nuclear deal does not include the lifting of sanctions, state media reported as negotiations appear to have hit a roadblock. The two foes have held five rounds of Omani-mediated talks since April, seeking to replace a landmark agreement between Tehran and world powers that set restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief, before US President Donald Trump abandoned the accord during his first term in 2018. In a video aired on Iranian state TV, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that "the US plan does not even mention the lifting of sanctions". He called it a sign of dishonesty, accusing the Americans of seeking to impose a "unilateral" agreement that Tehran would not accept. "The delusional US president should know better and change his approach if he is really looking for a deal," Ghalibaf said. On May 31, after the fifth round of talks, Iran said it had received "elements" of a US proposal, with officials later taking issue with "ambiguities" in the draft text. The US and its Western allies have long accused the Islamic republic of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, a charge Iran has consistently denied, insisting that its atomic programme was solely for peaceful purposes. Key issues in the negotiations have been the removal of biting economic sanctions and uranium enrichment. Tehran says it has the right to enrich uranium under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, while the Trump administration has called any Iranian enrichment a "red line". Trump, who has revived his "maximum pressure" campaign of sanction on Iran since taking office in January, has repeatedly said it will not be allowed any uranium enrichment under a potential deal. On Tuesday, Iran's top negotiator, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, said the country "will not ask anyone for permission to continue enriching uranium". According to the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon state in the world that enriches uranium up to 60 percent -- still short of the 90 percent threshold needed for a nuclear warhead. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday rejected the latest US proposal and said enrichment was "key" to Iran's nuclear programme. The IAEA Board of Governors is scheduled to meet in Vienna later this month and discuss Iran's nuclear activities.
Al Arabiya
6 hours ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Iran says no sanctions relief in US nuclear proposal
Iran's parliament speaker said on Sunday that the latest US proposal for a nuclear deal does not include the lifting of sanctions, state media reported as negotiations appear to have hit a roadblock. The two foes have held five rounds of Omani-mediated talks since April, seeking to replace a landmark agreement between Tehran and world powers that set restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief, before US President Donald Trump abandoned the accord during his first term in 2018. In a video aired on Iranian state TV, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that 'the US plan does not even mention the lifting of sanctions.' He called it a sign of dishonesty, accusing the Americans of seeking to impose a 'unilateral' agreement that Tehran would not accept. 'The delusional US president should know better and change his approach if he is really looking for a deal,' Ghalibaf said. On May 31, after the fifth round of talks, Iran said it had received 'elements' of a US proposal, with officials later taking issue with 'ambiguities' in the draft text. The US and its Western allies have long accused the Islamic Republic of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, a charge Iran has consistently denied, insisting that its atomic program was solely for peaceful purposes. Key issues in the negotiations have been the removal of biting economic sanctions and uranium enrichment. Tehran says it has the right to enrich uranium under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, while the Trump administration has called any Iranian enrichment a 'red line.' Trump, who has revived his 'maximum pressure' campaign of sanction on Iran since taking office in January, has repeatedly said it will not be allowed any uranium enrichment under a potential deal. On Tuesday, Iran's top negotiator, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, said the country 'will not ask anyone for permission to continue enriching uranium.' According to the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon state in the world that enriches uranium up to 60 percent – still short of the 90 percent threshold needed for a nuclear warhead. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Wednesday rejected the latest US proposal and said enrichment was 'key' to Iran's nuclear program. The IAEA Board of Governors is scheduled to meet in Vienna later this month and discuss Iran's nuclear activities.
Shafaq News
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iran rejects US nuclear proposal over sanctions relief lack
Shafaq News/ On Sunday, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed the latest US proposal in indirect nuclear talks, criticizing it for excluding any reference to lifting sanctions. Speaking ahead of a public parliament session, Ghalibaf reaffirmed Iran's readiness to demonstrate the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, while emphasizing that this remains contingent on genuine sanctions relief and tangible economic benefits. According to Ghalibaf, the US continues to press for restrictions on Iran's enrichment program while offering only vague commitments lacking legal or practical clarity. 'They smile in front of the cameras and talk of economic relief, but in reality, not only do they avoid lifting sanctions, they don't even promise to. It is clear that no rational logic would accept such a unilateral and imposed agreement,' he explained. Turning to US President Donald Trump, Ghalibaf called for a change in approach. 'If Trump truly seeks a deal, he must abandon his coordination with the Zionist regime and [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's failed policies.' Indirect nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington, facilitated by Omani mediators, resumed on April 12 and have completed five rounds. Discussions have focused on the scope of uranium enrichment and the sequencing of sanctions relief, though significant gaps remain. Last week, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X that Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi had delivered the components of the US proposal to Tehran during a brief visit. 'Iran will respond appropriately based on principles, national interests, and the rights of the Iranian people to the proposal,' his post read.
Shafaq News
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Deadline defied: Nuclear tensions soar between US, Iran
Shafaq News/ On Friday, US President Donald Trump strongly warned Iran, threatening severe consequences if Tehran does not reach a nuclear deal with Washington. 'My big preference … is we work it out with Iran. But if we don't work it out, bad, bad things are going to happen to Iran,' Trump remarked to several media outlets in the Oval Office. This warning is part of Washington's broader strategy to restart negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. Earlier this month, Trump sent a letter to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, presenting a new nuclear deal and stressing that failure to accept it, coupled with continued nuclear activities, would bring severe consequences. Trump also emphasized that he was not interested in 'open-ended negotiations,' setting a two-month deadline for an agreement. Tehran confirmed on Wednesday that it had sent a reply to Trump's letter through Oman. Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, reaffirmed the country's longstanding position, stating, 'Our policy remains not to engage in direct negotiations under maximum pressure and military threats. However, indirect negotiations, as existed in the past, can continue.' Meanwhile, Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, addressed Trump's remarks during Quds Day rallies in Tehran. He accused the US of using the nuclear talks to pressure Iran into giving up its defence capabilities. 'The US means disarmament when it says negotiation,' Ghalibaf explained. Other senior Iranian officials echoed Ghalibaf's position, reinforcing Tehran's resistance to what they perceive as US coercion. Senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Larijani, also spoke out, emphasizing the importance of a balanced agreement. 'We will reach an outcome, and we are optimistic. The agreement must be acceptable to both sides, not just one,' Larijani remarked.
Rudaw Net
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iranian parliament says preparing to implement new hijab bill
Also in Iran Iran committed to nuclear safeguards: Deputy FM Iran says will respond to Trump's letter after review IRGC vows a 'stronger' response to threats, denies role in shaping Yemen policies Iran arrests five Kurds following Newroz festivities: Watchdog A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran's parliament speaker said late Monday that the country is laying the necessary groundwork and regulations to implement the new controversial hijab bill, proposed in the wake of massive countrywide protests in 2022. The Chastity and Hijab Law is in reaction to challenges the government faced enforcing its existing hijab laws in the face of widespread protests in 2022, ignited by the death of young Kurdish woman Zhina (Mahsa) Amini while in the custody of the so-called morality police. 'Both the parliament and the government are seriously pursuing the preparation of the necessary foundation for this law, ensuring that the required equipment, facilities, and regulations are ready. We are also not wasting any time in this process,' Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf told state media. 'When a law is to be implemented, the necessary groundwork must be laid for it, and to be fair, the government is currently working on creating this groundwork for the law,' he added. In May of last year, former late President Ebrahim Raisi approved the bill proposed by the judiciary for the "completion of formal legal procedures." But current President Masoud Pezeshkian has questioned the feasibility of implementing the law. 'I do not see such a platform ready in our administrative system and I see such behavior as somewhat problematic, we should sit down and discuss and see how this is going to happen,' Pezeshkian said in a September interview. In August, Ghalibaf said that the law would be forwarded to the government for the president's signature, enabling governmental bodies to enforce it starting on December 13, but it has been postponed ever since. Pezeshkian's cabinet has faced heavy criticism since its beginning, primarily from conservatives who oppose its agenda. In late January, Javad Zarif, Iran's vice president for strategic affairs, was slammed after he told an American journalist in Switzerland that enforcing a new hijab law was not part of Pezeshkian's agenda. Zarif announced on March 3 that he is stepping down from his position after advice from Iran's judiciary head. 'The difference from the previous law is that there is no imprisonment, no flogging, and no morality police. Instead, it focuses more on fines and monetary penalties,' Ghalibaf said about the new hijab bill. According to media reports, fines range from 20 million tomans (about $280) to 165 million tomans(about $2,300). The stricter hijab law includes measures such as hefty fines for violations, the installation of CCTV cameras with facial recognition technology in state offices to identify offenders and penalties for businesses that fail to enforce the dress code. Additionally, the law also empowers ordinary citizens to report violations. Iran's public security police, the Faraja, will primarily be responsible for identifying violations and violators using Iran's smart intelligence system, which employs cameras and information databases. 'Any woman who removes her hijab in public, in public places, or in passages that are typically in the view of non-mahrams [non-first-degree relatives]…' will be located 'through the smart systems of the Islamic Republic of Iran Police Command (Faraja), by matching with other reliable databases and definitively verifying the perpetrator's identity,' the law reads.
