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Time of India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Netanyahu agrees to ceasefire with Iran: Will Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire survive rising tensions & failed nuclear talks?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that Israel has agreed to a ceasefire with Iran, stating that all the objectives of the military operation were met. The 12-day conflict saw Israel target key elements of Iran's military and nuclear programs. Netanyahu thanked the U.S. President Donald Trump for proposing the ceasefire and for his continued support of Israel's security interests. Israel says war objectives are met Netanyahu told Israel's security cabinet that the operation against Iran had achieved its main objectives. These included damaging Iran's nuclear and missile programs, striking military leadership and government targets, and gaining air dominance over Tehran. 'We have reached our goals. Israel will respond forcefully to any breach of the ceasefire,' Netanyahu said. Trump's role in mediating the ceasefire According to a senior White House official, Donald Trump personally led the talks with Netanyahu on Monday. The ceasefire was confirmed shortly after those discussions. Simultaneously, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff held communications with Iranian officials—some directly and others through indirect channels. US President Donald Trump | Credit: X Trump later announced that a "complete and total" ceasefire between Israel and Iran would begin within hours, despite earlier threats of further escalation from both sides. Events leading to the ceasefire announcement The sequence of events began when Iran fired missiles at a U.S. air base. No casualties were reported. This came in response to U.S. airstrikes that dropped 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs on Iran's underground nuclear facilities. The White House official stated that Trump reacted quickly to the escalation, instructing his team to initiate conversations with both Iran and Israel. 'Get me Bibi. We're going to make peace,' Trump reportedly said. Although the U.S. had held talks with Iran multiple times in the weeks leading up to the airstrikes, negotiations fell apart due to Iran's refusal to stop uranium enrichment, as reported by Reuters. Trump balances pressure with restraint Trump had initially announced on June 19 that he would decide on the use of American military force within two weeks. However, by June 21, he had authorized the strikes. The decision to attack Iranian nuclear sites marked a major shift from Trump's previous stance against deep foreign military involvement. The official said Trump was careful to keep U.S. interests at the forefront and wanted to avoid prolonged entanglement. 'He has shown restraint while making U.S. priorities clear,' the official noted. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Iran threatens NPT exit over Israel bombing and IAEA resolution, says nuclear weapons still off-limits
Iran threatens NPT exit over Israel bombing and IAEA resolution, says nuclear weapons still off-limits | Credit: X Iran's foreign ministry has confirmed that parliament is preparing a bill that could lead to Tehran's withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). While no final decision has been made, the government has acknowledged that such a move is under consideration in response to recent international developments. Parliament's proposal still in early stages Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry, said at a press conference that the proposal to exit the NPT is currently being drafted and remains at an initial legal stage. 'The government has to enforce parliament bills, but such a proposal is just being prepared,' Baghaei stated. He added that the foreign ministry would coordinate with the parliament at later stages, depending on how the situation develops. Tehran reaffirms position on nuclear weapons Despite the legislative discussions, Iran reiterated its official stance against developing nuclear weapons. President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized on Monday that nuclear arms go against a religious decree issued by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran, a signatory of the NPT since 1970, has long maintained that its nuclear program is intended for civilian purposes. Israel | Credit: X Impact of Israel's actions and IAEA resolution The possible legislative push comes in the wake of Israel's recent airstrikes, which targeted Iranian sites based on claims that Tehran was nearing the development of a nuclear bomb. Iran denied these claims, while the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) noted last week that Tehran was in breach of its NPT commitments. Baghaei stated that Israel's attack had an effect on Iran's strategic decisions and blamed the IAEA's resolution for setting the stage. 'Those voting for the resolution prepared the ground for the attack,' he said. Baghaei also referred to Israel as 'the only possessor of weapons of mass destruction in the region' and criticized its refusal to join the NPT. Israel has never signed the treaty and does not confirm or deny the possession of nuclear weapons, though it is widely believed to have them. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. First Published: Jun 16, 2025, 17:57 IST Nancy Jaiswal is a journalist who started her career in reporting and has covered both hard and soft news. From serious city news developments to lighthearted lifestyle pieces, she has written on almost everything hapenning in India (except maybe alien invasions—yet!). For her, writing isn't just work; it's a passion, an obsession, and sometimes the reason she forgets to reply to texts. Read More
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
JD Vance pushes for Russia-Ukraine dialogue, says US mediation alone can't end the war
US Vice President JD Vance called Wednesday for direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on ending the grinding three-year war that started with Moscow's invasion. "We think it's probably impossible for us to mediate this entirely without at least some direct negotiation between the two. And so that's what we focus on," Vance told the Munich Leaders Meeting in Washington. He acknowledged that the concessions Russia was demanding remained unacceptable to the United States but expressed some hope that a path toward negotiations could still be found. War shows no signs of immediate end, says Vance Despite diplomatic efforts, Vance made it clear that the war is likely to continue in the near term. In a recent interview with Fox News, he said the conflict was 'not going to end any time soon.' His comments came shortly after Washington and Kyiv signed a key minerals agreement that includes peace as a long-term goal. While acknowledging the pain caused by the Russian invasion, Vance questioned whether the ongoing loss of lives over minor territorial shifts could be justified. 'Of course they (the Ukrainians) are angry that they were invaded, but are we going to continue to lose thousands and thousands of soldiers over a few miles of territory this or that way?' Vance asked. Trump envoy meets Putin amid peace push Previosly Vance also referred to what he called a 'big breakthrough' during the Trump administration's informal efforts to mediate. President Donald Trump had earlier claimed that Russia and Ukraine were 'very close to a deal,' following a meeting between his envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin. JD Vance calls for direct Russia-Ukraine peace talks | Credit: X Trump has repeatedly stated he would resolve the war within 24 hours of returning to office, though formal negotiations have so far stalled. Two direct calls between Trump and Putin, and several meetings, have yet to yield tangible progress. Russia rejects US-backed ceasefire proposal One major sticking point remains Moscow's refusal to accept a 30-day ceasefire plan proposed by the U.S. and accepted by Ukraine. Russia continues to insist that the territories it captured during the war be recognised as part of its federation — a demand that violates international law and is seen as a non-starter by most global powers. Meanwhile, Russian attacks across Ukraine continue, with cities far from the frontlines bombed almost daily. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
