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Rudaw Net
13-05-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
US presses fresh sanctions against Iran amid nuclear talks
Also in Iran Iran says 'fully prepared' for military confrontation Iran warns Europe against 'confrontational strategy' on nuclear issues Fourth round of US talks 'significantly more serious': Iranian FM Iran says nuclear enrichment right 'not negotiable' A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United States on Monday announced new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program as talks between the two countries continue. The sanctions targeted three Iranian citizens and an Iranian entity with ties to Iran's Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research, known by its Persian acronym SPND, 'the direct successor organization to Iran's pre-2004 nuclear weapons program, also referred to as the Amad project,' Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. 'Iran continues to substantially expand its nuclear program and carry out dual-use research and development activities applicable to nuclear weapons and nuclear weapons delivery systems,' Rubio said, adding that Iran is the world's only country without nuclear weapons that produces uranium enriched to 60 percent. The sanctions came a day after a fourth round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran in Muscat, which Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described as 'significantly more serious.' Indirect talks between Araghchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff about Iran's nuclear program and sanctions relief began on April 12 in Oman. 'The United States' actions are intended to delay and degrade the ability of SPND to conduct nuclear weapons research and development,' Rubio stressed. 'Today's actions demonstrate the United States' commitment to ensuring that Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon.' The sanctions seek to freeze assets that the designated officials possess under US jurisdiction, and bars all American companies or individuals from engaging with them. They are aimed at three SPND officials and a company named Fuya Pars Prospective Technologists. 'Fuya Pars Prospective Technologists, also known as Ideal Vacuum, is an SPND-affiliated company that has attempted to procure from foreign suppliers, as well as indigenously fabricate, equipment that could be applicable in nuclear weapons research and development,' the State Department said. Under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran agreed to curb its nuclear enrichment program in exchange for much-needed relief from crippling sanctions. But the deal began unraveling in 2018, when US President Donald Trump, under his 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.
Rudaw Net
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iran says ‘fully prepared' for military confrontation
Also in Iran Iran warns Europe against 'confrontational strategy' on nuclear issues Fourth round of US talks 'significantly more serious': Iranian FM Iran says nuclear enrichment right 'not negotiable' Iran condemns Trump's efforts to rename Persian Gulf as Arabian Gulf A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Iranian military said it is 'fully prepared' for military confrontation amid threats from Washington should a nuclear deal fail to be struck with Washington, state media reported. 'The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran are fully prepared for any situation,' chief of staff of Iran's armed forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri said during his visit to combat units in the southern Hormozgan province, as cited by state-owned IRNA news agency on Sunday. Earlier this month, Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said that while Tehran will not initiate war, it will respond 'without hesitation' if subjected to a military attack. He was responding to statements from US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who earlier this month warned Iran over its support for the Houthis in Yemen. During his visit, Bagheri emphasized that he was in Hormozgan for "assessing the operational status of the region as well as the level of preparedness of the Islamic Republic of Iran's armed forces, especially the strategic navy of the army and the Revolutionary Guard Corps [IRGC], in defending our country's territorial and international waters and national resources." Tehran and Washington are currently engaged in indirect talks about Iran's nuclear program and sanctions relief. The talks began on April 12 in Oman and the most recent round was completed on Sunday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the most recent round as 'significantly more serious.' Under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear enrichment program for much-needed relief from crippling sanctions. But the deal began unraveling in 2018 when Trump, during his first term, unilaterally withdrew and imposed biting sanctions on the Islamic republic, which in turn began rolling back on its nuclear commitments. Upon returning to office, Trump in early February restored his 'maximum pressure' policy against Tehran, arguing that it is 'too close' to a nuclear weapon and seeking a new deal with Tehran. 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, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali 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. Tehran has always asserted that its nuclear program is peaceful and that nuclear weapons go against the Islamic republic's doctrine.
Rudaw Net
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iran warns Europe against ‘confrontational strategy' on nuclear issues
Also in Iran Fourth round of US talks 'significantly more serious': Iranian FM Iran says nuclear enrichment right 'not negotiable' 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 A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran's foreign minister on Sunday criticized European powers on their approach to the 'snapback' mechanism, warning that their 'confrontational strategy' risks a nuclear proliferation crisis. 'This confrontational strategy risks triggering a global nuclear proliferation crisis that would primarily affect Europeans themselves,' Araghchi said, as cited by the French weekly Le Point. He further condemned the E3 - referring to France, Germany, and Britain - for using the 'snapback' mechanism, 'initially intended as a last resort,' as 'diplomatic leverage.' 'Iran has made its position clear. We have officially warned all JCPOA signatories that abuse of the snapback mechanism will lead to consequences—not only the end of Europe's role in the agreement, but also an escalation of tensions that could become irreversible,' Araghchi stressed. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in late April that the E3 "will not hesitate for a single second to reapply all the sanctions" scrapped a decade ago if European security is threatened by Iran's nuclear activities. In December, Iran warned European signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal that the possible activation of the agreement's 'snapback' provisions - triggering the reinstatement of UN Security Council sanctions - would compel Tehran to exit the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The 'snapback' mechanism is set to expire in October. Araghchi also expressed his willingness to travel to Paris, Berlin, and London 'to begin a new chapter' on nuclear negotiations. 'How we respond at this crucial moment will determine the future of Iran-Europe relations far more profoundly than many realize. Iran is ready to turn the page. We hope our European partners are too,' he stressed. Indirect talks between Araghchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff about Iran's nuclear program and sanctions relief began on April 12 in Oman, meanwhile, the fourth round of talks was completed on Sunday. Araghchi described the recent indirect talks as 'significantly more serious.' The ongoing talks follow the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), under which Iran agreed to scale back its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. The accord unraveled in 2018, when US President Donald Trump, during his first term in office, unilaterally withdrew the US and reimposed biting sanctions on Iran, 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.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Iran de-hyphenates Indo-Pak ties: FM to visit New Delhi and Islamabad separately this week
Iran is strengthening ties with India. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will visit India soon. Discussions will focus on the Chabahar Port and INSTC. Boosting economic partnership is also a key agenda. Talks will also cover Iran-USA relations. This visit follows Iran's Supreme Leader's call to expand trade with Asian economic hubs like India. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Popular in India Iran has de-hyphenated its ties with India and Pakistan even as Tehran recently expressed its intention to use its good offices to defuse Indo-Pak Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will visit India on May 7-8 and ahead of that is likely to visit Islamabad on Monday. But he will travel back to Tehran and take a flight to New has backed India following the terror attack and expressed solidarity at multiple levels with the Iranian President calling the PM to express condolences over the Pahalgam terror had first reported last month that Iranian FM will visit New Delhi early his maiden visit to India in his current capacity Araqchi will also discuss steps to increase collaboration in the Chabahar Port and INSTC besides concrete measures on pushing economic partnership that remains limited due to sanctions, ET has talks with Oman's facilitation will also be on the agenda of Araqchi's meeting with the External Affairs of US sanctions against Iran could lead to expansion of trade between New Delhi and visit is being organised in the backdrop of Iran's Supreme Leader Imam Sayyid Ali Khamenei's recent statement calling for expanding trade relations with economic hubs in Asia such as India, China and to X, the Iranian Supreme Leader had written, 'Trade relations must be expanded with priority given to neighboring countries. Facilitate economic relations with countries that are economic hubs in Asia, countries such as China, Russia, and India."Khamenei also said that Tehran should boost economic relations with countries that are economic hubs in Asia, adding that priority should be given to the neighbouring countries.
Shafaq News
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraqi, Iranian FMs discuss Trump's letter as tensions soar
Shafaq News/ On Monday, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi to discuss regional developments. According to a statement by the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hussein voiced concern over rising tensions in the region and appreciated being informed of the content of President Trump's letter, expressing hope that such exchanges could help open channels for dialogue. Araghchi confirmed that Tehran intends to respond to the message, the statement added. Last week, Iranian FM stated that the letter from US President Donald Trump to Tehran included threats and "opportunities." He had earlier reiterated that Iran would only engage in nuclear negotiations based on equal terms and mutual respect. Meanwhile, Trump warned that Tehran must agree to talks or face military action. 'I've written them a letter, saying I hope you're going to negotiate, because if we have to go in militarily it's going to be a terrible thing for them,' he said. In response, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected what he described as pressure from 'hegemonic powers.'
