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Rudaw Net
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iran says nuclear enrichment right ‘not negotiable'
Also in Iran Iran condemns Trump's efforts to rename Persian Gulf as Arabian Gulf Iran urges UK to uphold rights of 8 Iranians arrested in terrorism investigations Nuclear deal with US only possible through diplomacy, 'mutual respect': Iran FM Iran's Kurdistan province hosts photography festival A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran's foreign minister said on Sunday that the country's right to nuclear enrichment is 'not negotiable' ahead of a fourth round of indirect talks with the US in Oman over Tehran's nuclear program. '[Nuclear] Enrichment is one of the achievements and honors of the Iranian nation, and a heavy price has been paid for this enrichment, and the blood of our nuclear scientists is behind this achievement, and it is definitely not negotiable,' Abbas Araghchi told reporters before departing to Muscat, hours before the nuclear talks took place. He added that he hopes the talks with Washington this time around will reach a 'decisive point.'. On Friday, special envoy Steve Witkoff, who is representing Washington as its key negotiator with the Iranians, called for the dismantling of Tehran's nuclear facilities. 'An enrichment program can never exist in the state of Iran ever again, and that is our red line. No enrichment, that means dismantlement, it means no weaponization, and it means that Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, those are the three enrichment facilities, have to be dismantled,' Witkoff told American right-wing outlet Breitbart News. Araghchi, on the other hand, questioned the 'seriousness' of the Washington delegation in holding the talks. 'Negotiations should be held behind the negotiating table, and raising them in the media is contrary to the nature of negotiations and questions the seriousness and determination of the other side,' the Iranian top diplomat said. Talks between Araghchi and Witkoff about Iran's nuclear program and sanctions relief began in April in Oman. Earlier this month, a top aide to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Ali Larijani, said that nuclear negotiations with the United States should be abandoned if they do not safeguard Iran's interests. Under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear enrichment program in exchange for much-needed relief from crippling sanctions. But the deal began unraveling in 2018 when the US, under President Donald Trump's first term, unilaterally withdrew from the accord and imposed biting sanctions on the Islamic republic, which in turn began rolling back on its nuclear commitments. Tehran, however, has repeatedly asserted that atomic weapons go against the Islamic republic's doctrine and has maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. In late March, Trump warned that 'there will be bombing' against Iranian interests if Tehran fails to reach an agreement with Washington over its nuclear program. 'If they don't make a deal [with the US] there will be bombing, and it will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before,' he told NBC News. In an indirect response to Trump's threats, Khamenei warned of a strong response if Iran is attacked. 'They threaten to commit evil,' but 'if evil is committed, the counterattack will definitely be mutually strong,' Khamenei said.
Rudaw Net
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iran condemns Trump's efforts to rename Persian Gulf as Arabian Gulf
Also in Iran Iran urges UK to uphold rights of 8 Iranians arrested in terrorism investigations Nuclear deal with US only possible through diplomacy, 'mutual respect': Iran FM Iran's Kurdistan province hosts photography festival IRGC denies Kurdish prisoner release despite jail approval: Watchdog A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran's foreign minister on Wednesday condemned as 'politically motivated' US President Donald Trump's rumored plans to rename the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf, stating that the name does not signify ownership by Iran. 'Politically motivated attempts to alter the historically established name of the Persian Gulf are indicative of hostile intent toward Iran and its people, and are firmly condemned. Such biased actions are an affront to all Iranians, regardless of their background or place of residence,' Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X. The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that Trump plans to announce that Washington will refer to the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf during a trip to Saudi Arabia next week, citing two anonymous US officials. 'Iran has never objected to the use of names such as the Sea of Oman, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, or Red Sea. The use of these names does not imply ownership by any particular nation, but rather reflects a shared respect for the collective heritage of humanity,' Araghchi explained. He added that he is 'confident' that Trump knows of the Persian Gulf's history, which is 'centuries old and recognized by all cartographers and international bodies,' hoping that the rumors are merely a 'disinformation campaign' to anger Iranians. In recent years, Arab nations have pushed to change the geographic name of the body of water off Iran's southern coast, arguing for alternate terminology as they share access to its waters. Researchers studying the name 'Persian Gulf' have affirmed its usage dates back at least 2,500 years, with consistent recognition among Middle Eastern writers throughout history.
Rudaw Net
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iran ready for ‘both threats and diplomacy' from US, says FM
Also in Iran Iran replied to Trump via Oman, not UAE over Israel ties: official Kurdish, Azeri rights groups condemn ethnic unrest in Urmia Iran FM slams US pressure in phone call with Iraqi counterpart President Barzani congratulates Iranian leaders on Kurdish, Persian new years A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran's foreign minister on Friday downplayed the possibility of American military action against the Islamic republic, but said they stand ready 'for both threats and diplomacy' as Washington opens the door to new nuclear negotiations, state media reported. 'Anyone who speaks to the Iranian people with the language of threats will receive the same response,' Abbas Araghchi told Iran's state-owned Al-Alam news network. 'We are fully ready for both threats and diplomacy.' On Friday, United States President Donald Trump said his preference is to negotiate with Tehran on the nuclear file, but cautioned that 'bad things' would happen if no agreement is made. 'We can either have to talk and talk it out, or very bad things are going to happen to Iran,' he warned. On March 7, Trump told Fox Business that he had sent a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei signaling openness to new nuclear negotiations, but threatened possible military action if Iran refuses to cooperate stating, 'If we have to go in militarily, it's going to be a terrible thing for them.' The letter was delivered to Tehran through an Emirati emissary. Araghchi dismissed the possibility of direct talks with Washington but said that indirect talks 'can continue if necessary.' Under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear enrichment program in exchange for much-needed relief from crippling sanctions. The deal began unraveling in 2018 when Trump, during his first term, unilaterally withdrew the US from the accord and reimposed biting sanctions on Iran. Tehran waited a year and then gradually ramped up its nuclear activities. After returning to office, Trump in early February restored his maximum pressure policy on Tehran, arguing that it is 'too close' to a nuclear weapon.
Rudaw Net
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Kurdish, Azeri rights groups condemn ethnic unrest in Urmia
Also in Iran Iran FM slams US pressure in phone call with Iraqi counterpart President Barzani congratulates Iranian leaders on Kurdish, Persian new years Iran arrested 41 Kurds over Newroz celebrations: Watchdog Seven arrested in Iran's Kurdistan for 'anti-regime propaganda' during Newroz A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish and Azeri human rights groups on Tuesday condemned the tensions that flared between ethnic groups in Iran's West Azerbaijan province after anti-Kurdish slogans were chanted during a religious gathering. The joint statement, cited by the Paris-based Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN), decried that several participants hijacked a state-organized demonstration commemorating the martyrdom anniversary of the first Shiite Imam to inject their "religious and extreme nationalist sentiments." On Saturday, ethnic tensions rose after anti-Kurdish slogans were chanted at an Alawite religious gathering in West Azerbaijan's Urmia at a ceremony where Alawites were marking the martyrdom of Imam Ali (599-661 CE), the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet of Islam Muhammad. "During the demonstration, which was held in the presence of government officials and supported by police forces, a significant number of participants" held "banners containing explicit anti-Kurdish messages and hate speech," according to the joint statement. "Some protesters, who openly declared their allegiance to Iran's Supreme Leader, threatened Kurdish civilians with massacre. Others carried images of Gholamreza Hassani, the former Friday prayer leader and representative of the Supreme Leader in Orumiyeh [Urmia], who was notorious for his anti-Kurdish stance and for advocating the killing of Kurds," the joint statement said. It vehemently condemned the actions as damaging and threatening to Urmia, a "multi-ethnic and multicultural city" that "belongs to all its residents, including Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, and other communities." "We call on all the people of Orumiyeh ... to take a firm stand against the Islamic Republic's provocations and the incitement of extremist violent factions, regardless of their political or ideological affiliations," it continued. The semi-official Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported on Monday that 22 individuals were arrested in connection with the events, citing West Azerbaijan police commander Rahim Jahanbakhsh as accusing them of "inciting ethnic strife and insulting ethnic groups." "The enemy's desperate plot to create division among the original ethnic groups of Iran in the province was neutralized through the identification and decisive action against the main visible and hidden perpetrators of this seditious move," Jahanbakhsh said. In another statement, Tasnim accused the neighboring Kurdistan Region and pan-Turkish elements of seeking to "disrupt the peaceful atmosphere" in West Azerbaijan province. "The actions of a number of known and separatist figures to raise the fake flag of the Kurdistan Region and the wearing of local clothes by several girls that were emblazoned with the symbol of this flag were immediately met with reprimands and countermeasures from those present and the organizers of the program, and the tricolor flags of the Islamic Republic of Iran were waved throughout the gathering, preventing further incidents," Tasnim stated. It further blamed the "zealous Kurds and authoritarian Turks" for the unrest, which it said "failed miserably due to the insight and awakening of the people." Social media footage from the ceremony showed the crowd chanting anti-Kurdish slogans, including: 'Urmia belongs to the Turkics and will remain Turkic … No Kurd can pass here if a Turkic doesn't allow it,' and 'Azerbaijan will never part from Khamenei," referring to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The crowd additionally chanted, 'Hasani, where are you to back and support the Turkics?' in reference to the controversial cleric Hassani, who until January 2014, served as Khamenei's representative in West Azerbaijan Province and the Friday Prayer Imam of Urmia. Hassani is believed to have stood behind a bloody 1979 massacre of Kurds in the village of Qarna in Naqadeh county, West Azerbaijan, which sparked deadly ethnic and armed conflicts in the country between Kurdish and Turkic residents. Urmia is the capital city of West Azerbaijan Province in northwestern Iran. It is known for its diverse ethnic and religious composition, and is home to Turkic-speaking residents who practice Shiite Islam, Kurdish residents who primarily adhere to Sunni Islam, as well as communities of Assyrians and Armenians, who are Christian. The controversial chants came after Urmia was recently scene to massive Kurdish New Year, Newroz festivities where an estimated 150,000 Kurds participated.
Rudaw Net
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iran FM slams US pressure in phone call with Iraqi counterpart
Also in Iran President Barzani congratulates Iranian leaders on Kurdish, Persian new years Iran arrested 41 Kurds over Newroz celebrations: Watchdog Seven arrested in Iran's Kurdistan for 'anti-regime propaganda' during Newroz Negotiations with US not possible until 'certain things' change: Iran FM A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran's foreign minister on Tuesday criticized Washington's reasoning to exert pressure against Tehran as 'baseless' and part of a broader effort to undermine the Islamic republic's ties with other countries. 'The claims and accusations made by American officials to exert pressure on Iran are baseless and of no credibility, and neighboring and friendly countries are expected to be wary of the US's sedition and division - which has no intention other than to destroy friendly relations between countries in the region in line with the sinister goals of the Zionist regime,' Abbas Araghchi told his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in a phone call, as reported by the state IRNA news agency. After returning to the White House, US President Donald Trump in early February restored his 'maximum pressure' policy against Tehran, arguing that it is 'too close' to a nuclear weapon. He also expressed openness to negotiate a new deal with Tehran, though Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei deemed negotiations 'unwise.' Earlier in March a most recent 120-day waiver, issued by former US President Joe Biden to allow Iraq to import Iranian gas without running afoul of sanctions, expired. Biden's successor, Trump, announced in early February that he would not renew the waiver as part of his "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran. Araghchi warned of the serious risks posed by US misuse of regional bases and airspace for aggressive actions, urging countries to safeguard their sovereignty and prevent foreign forces from destabilizing the region. On Wednesday the United States claimed that its recent attacks against the Houthis in Yemen are continuing to yield results, adding that Tehran has certainly taken notice as well. Trump renewed his call on Tehran to end its support for the Yemeni group. Iran is a staunch supporter of Houthis. On March 7, Trump told Fox Business that he had sent a letter to Khamenei, signaling openness to nuclear negotiations while warning that military action against Iran would have devastating consequences. 'If we have to go in militarily, it's going to be a terrible thing for them [Iran],' he stated. Iraq's foreign ministry on Tuesday confirmed that Hussein was briefed on Trump's message to Iran. It added that Tehran 'will respond to the message.' In mid-March, Khamenei dismissed Trump's letter as deceptive, arguing that the US president's excessive demands would only 'tighten the knot of sanctions and increase pressure' on Tehran.
