Latest news with #Iranians'
Memri
a day ago
- Politics
- Memri
Khomeini's Grandson On Hizbullah TV: Freedom Is A Core Iranian Value; Iran Was 'Subordinate' To Nasrallah – He Set Resistance Axis Policy
On June 6, 2025, Ali Ahmad Khomeini, grandson of the leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, appeared on Al-Manar TV (Hizbullah–Lebanon). He spoke about the core values of the Iranian people, saying that Iranians insist on the freedom to express their views, even when those views conflict with the official position of the state or with foreign powers. Khomeini explained that, whether or not it is fully realized, freedom of expression remains the Iranians' slogan. He added that when people say the Islamic Revolution still lives in the hearts of Iranians, it means that even its critics and rivals have not produced a more compelling slogan than that of its supporters. Khomeini said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had claimed Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah determines the policies of the "Resistance Axis," and he affirmed this statement saying that Iran was, in fact, "subordinate" to Nasrallah and described it as being "at the tail of the Resistance and Hassan Nasrallah." Ali Ahmad Khomeini: "The Iranians in particular are incapable of living in humiliation. This applies to most Islamic nations, but the Iranians are exceptional in this regard. Independence is very important to them. It's like oxygen, like air. The second thing is the freedom to be able to say what I want, even if it clashes with the position of the state or with domestic and foreign powers." Reporter: "The West portrays it as if there is no such freedom in Iran. The opposite is true." Khomeini: "Right, right..." Reporter: "This is what distinguishes the Iranians..." Khomeini: "What I want to say is that this is our slogan. In some cases, we have success, and in some cases not. But this is our slogan. When we say that the Revolution still lives in the hearts of the Iranians, it means that our dissenters and rivals do not have a better slogan than ours. [...] "[Netanyahu] said: 'We knew that the policies were decided by Nasrallah.' He said this to Trump. It means that the policies of the Resistance Axis in the region were in the hands of Hassan Nasrallah, and Iran was subordinate to Hassan Nasrallah. I know that this is true. Netanyahu was right." Reporter: "So the Islamic Republic leaves the decision to the people it supports..." Khomeini: "Yes." Reporter: "It leaves them the decision to confront the occupation the way they see fit." Khomeini: "We have fulfilled our minimal obligation. We were at the tail of the Resistance and Hassan Nasrallah."
Politico
2 days ago
- Politics
- Politico
Israel's boost to Iran nuclear talks
With help from Amy Mackinnon and Daniel Lippman Subscribe here | Email Eric Israel's threats to strike Iran's nuclear facilities may actually be helping — not hurting — President DONALD TRUMP's efforts to secure a nuclear deal with Tehran, per analysts. Trump said Monday night he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister BENJAMIN NETANYAHU and reiterated his commitment to talks with Iran. Their conversation, however, came as Israel has continued to threaten a potential military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities. Trump has ruled out Israeli military strikes, even in the face of pressure from prominent hawks, including conservative radio host MARK LEVIN. At first glance, pressure from Netanyahu and hawks backing a more militaristic solution to Iran's nuclear program would seemingly be forcing Trump to negotiate with both Israel and Iran at once. But MARK DUBOWITZ, chief executive officer of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank in Washington, told NatSec Daily the continued threats from Israel to strike Iran allow Trump to credibly pressure Tehran and secure a better deal to restrain its nuclear ambitions. 'It's very useful for Trump to have a credible Israeli military threat so that he can be warning [Iranian Supreme Leader ALI KHAMENEI] 'unless you do a peaceful deal, Israelis are going to bomb,''' Dubowitz said. 'If anything, the argument from the isolationists to try to undermine that credible military threat is making a bad deal more likely. And if there is a bad deal, there's more likely to be an Israeli strike, and therefore more likely to be a war.' The assist may be needed. Iran this week has been trumpeting documents they heisted from Israel, purportedly revealing more details about Israel's undeclared nuclear weapons program. Ahead of talks later this week between U.S. and Iranian mediators, Iranian lawmakers are also accusing Israel and the United States of setting a 'strategic trap' for Iran by taking 'offensive positions' that would undermine 'Iranians' inalienable rights.' Dubowitz argued the efforts are 'counter-programming' ahead of an expected vote at the International Atomic Energy Agency later this week that would punish Iran for noncompliance with international standards. 'It's the worst-kept secret in the world that the Israelis have a nuclear weapons program,' Dubowitz said. MONA YACOUBIAN, who leads the Middle East program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington, called the Iranian announcement about the stolen Israeli documents 'a tactical move,' allowing Iran to reframe negotiations around a perceived discrepancy between the treatment of Israel and Iran by the international community over their nuclear programs, possibly allowing Tehran to get a more lax deal. While Israel's posture toward Iran could advance a nuclear deal, Yacoubian cautioned that the threats still speak to a fundamental tension between Israel and the United States. From Israel's perspective, she argues, there is 'a greater sense of urgency, that there is this limited window to go after Iran's nuclear infrastructure and that that window of opportunity is closing.' Meanwhile, Trump has shown he's determined to avoid 'forever wars' in the Middle East and negotiate deals to avoid conflict, even against Israeli objections. 'We saw the administration followed suit by essentially negotiating, unilaterally, a ceasefire with the Houthis that did not actually address the threat the Houthis posed to Israel. And that threat continues,' Yacoubian said. She added that Trump's emphasis on dealmaking is a reflection of the influence of the 'non-interventionist wing of the Republican Party' pushing back against 'decades of how the U.S. has engaged in the Middle East, whether in a Republican or Democrat administration.' The Inbox RUSSIA'S AIR ATTACKS: Russia launched another round of airstrikes, this time against Kyiv and the southern city of Odesa, our colleague Elena Giordano reports from Europe. 'For yet another night, instead of a ceasefire, there were massive strikes with Shahed drones, cruise and ballistic missiles,' said Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY. 'In Odesa, even a maternity hospital became a Russian target. Thirteen people were injured. Tragically, there are fatalities.' The strikes underscore that Putin is not yet satisfied in his desire for revenge over a stealthy drone attack earlier this month that took out a large number of Russia's bomber jets and exposed serious vulnerabilities in Russia's defenses. And the fresh attack is likely to further stall talks initiated by the United States to end Russia's three-year invasion. So far, Russia and Ukraine have only made progress in settling disputes over the repatriation of prisoners of war and the remains of each other's soldiers. WHAT'S KEEPING TULSI UP AT NIGHT: Trump's Director of National Intelligence TULSI GABBARD issued a stark warning about risks of a 'nuclear holocaust' in a short video posted on her personal account on X this morning, accusing the 'political elite and warmongers' of 'carelessly fomenting fear and tensions between nuclear powers.' In a three-minute clip superimposed with images of nuclear destruction, Gabbard reflected on a recent visit to Hiroshima, which was devastated by a U.S. atomic bomb at the end of World War II. 'A single nuclear weapon today could kill millions in just minutes.' Gabbard did not specify who she was referencing as 'political elite and warmongers,' and her office did not respond to a request for comment on the video. MONITORING MUSK: The Department of Homeland Security and other government agencies surveilled foreign nationals who visited tech mogul ELON MUSK's homes in the United States in 2022 and 2023. As The Wall Street Journal's Dana Mattioli, Michelle Hackman, Josh Dawsey and Emily Glazer report, the probe focused on Eastern Europeans visiting Musk in the United States. The investigation didn't result in any charges and its current status is unclear, but it speaks to fears that predated the Trump administration that Musk was susceptible to potential foreign influence campaigns. Musk had regular contact with foreign officials, including Putin, as well as access to high-level U.S. government secrets as the chief executive of SpaceX and other government contractors. IT'S TUESDAY: Thanks for tuning in to NatSec Daily! This space is reserved for the top U.S. and foreign officials, the lawmakers, the lobbyists, the experts and the people like you who care about how the natsec sausage gets made. Aim your tips and comments at ebazail@ and follow Eric on X @ebazaileimil. While you're at it, follow the rest of POLITICO's global security team on X and Bluesky at: @dave_brown24, @HeidiVogt, @jessicameyers, @RosiePerper, @ @PhelimKine, @ak_mack, @felschwartz, @connorobrienNH, @paulmcleary, @reporterjoe, @JackDetsch, @samuelskove, @magmill95, @johnnysaks130 and @delizanickel THE NEW ADMINISTRATION PUZDER AND HELBERG'S DAY: Two of Trump's most prominent foreign policy nominees faced members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today, but Democrats gave them both an unexpectedly soft questioning. JACOB HELBERG, nominated to be undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, faced some questions over his investments and his ability to fairly advance U.S. interests in a role so focused on economic and business diplomacy. Sen. CHRIS COONS (D-Del.) asked Helberg about his potential conflicts of interests — Helberg and his husband are heavily invested in the tech sector — and Helberg told senators he would outline an ethics plan to ensure he can execute his responsibilities. Former fast food executive ANDY PUZDER, nominated to be U.S. ambassador to the EU, got even less scrutiny from Democrats, in part due to the sheer number of nominees before the committee. That meant Democrats largely didn't confront Puzder about misconduct allegations against him. Only Ranking Member JEANNE SHAHEEN (D-N.H.) addressed the issues that sank his bid to be Labor secretary in Trump's first term, calling the past statements and allegations against Puzder 'deeply concerning.' The other nominees before the committee were PAUL KAPUR, the nominee to be assistant secretary of State for South Asia; BENJAMIN BLACK, the nominee to lead the U.S. Finance Development Corporation; and HOWARD BRODIE, the nominee to be U.S. ambassador to Finland. They all got fairly light questions about conflict in Kashmir, the future of the FDC and the importance of countering Russia from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The Complex RUSSIA'S SPACE WARFARE RISK: Rep. JEFF CRANK (R-Colo.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, warned today that Russia poses a serious threat to U.S. access to low-earth orbit essential for everything from surveillance satellites to global positioning systems. 'We're heavily reliant on space and on low Earth orbit — Russia sees that and they want to exploit that vulnerability [because] they aren't as reliant on space,' Crank said at a Hudson Institute event Tuesday. Russia's options include attacks on U.S. satellites or intentionally creating debris fields in low orbit that could hobble U.S. systems. 'What would happen to the United States if we were blinded — if our GPS was gone, not just to our lives as civilians, but what would happen to our military capability?' said Crank. Defense from such attacks requires the U.S. to view space as a military zone. 'America sat back and said 'Well, we can't weaponize space.' But while we sat back, other countries were weaponizing space,' said Crank. Crank is the latest Republican to highlight the prospect of Russia militarizing beyond Earth. Last year, then-House Intelligence Chair MIKE TURNER of Ohio caused a stir on Capitol Hill over intelligence findings that suggested Russia could develop a space weapon. On the Hill KAMLAGER-DOVE'S SUBCONTINENT THOUGHTS: India and Pakistan sent dueling delegations to Washington this week to discuss the future relationship between both countries and prospects for conflict — though it's unclear if either side really won hearts and minds. The Indian delegation, led by parliamentarian SHASHI THAROOR, who heads the Indian parliament's foreign affairs committee, focused on India's right to respond to a deadly terror attack in Kashmir in April that killed 26 tourists and the need for further cooperation with the United States on security. Meanwhile, Pakistan's delegation, led by former Foreign Minister BILAWAL BHUTTO ZARDARI, called attention to India's aggressive response, which included nixing the Indus Water Treaty governing water rights for the critical river. Pakistan also emphasized areas for cooperation with the United States beyond counterterrorism, including cryptocurrency and critical minerals. Rep. SYDNEY KAMLAGER-DOVE (D-Calif.), the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee that addresses South Asia, told your host that above all, 'India and Pakistan are neighbors who must coexist' and argued that conflict between the two is detrimental to U.S. interests. She added that the U.S. should leave both countries to resolve the Kashmir dispute, though it should still de-escalate tensions as needed to avoid broader war. Broadsides BEIJING AND PRETORIA'S BOND: Chinese Defense Minister DONG JUN — who was a no-show at last week's Shangri-La Dialogue defense forum in Singapore — hasn't been arrested for suspected corruption after all. Instead, he was meeting with South African officials. Dong caught up with visiting South African Defense Minister RUDZANI MAPHWANYA in Beijing today and described the two countries as 'comrades and brothers' while lacing in some implicit criticism of the U.S. Per a Chinese Defense Ministry statement, they also discussed China's claims to Taiwan and improving military cooperation between the two countries. Dong's visit to South Africa underscores how Pretoria has deepened its ties with U.S. adversaries like China and Russia in recent years, which has strained its ties with Washington. Transitions — FBI veteran BRETT LEATHERMAN wrote on LinkedIn that he was selected as assistant director and lead official for the FBI's primary division to investigate cybercrimes. — RICHARD JOHNSON joined OpenAI as its national security risk mitigation lead. Johnson was previously deputy assistant secretary of Defense for nuclear and countering weapons of mass destruction policy. What to Read — Isabel Kerchner, The New York Times: Finding God, and Nietzsche, in the Hamas Tunnels of Gaza — Kyodo News: Japan sees 1st simultaneous operations by China carriers in the Pacific — USA Today: 'Dictator-style military parade?' Other world leaders who show off tanks and missiles Tomorrow Today — German Marshall Fund, 6 a.m.: Brussels Forum 2025: Partnership Disrupted: How Can Transatlantic Cooperation Endure?' — Arab Center, 9:30 a.m.: Second annual Palestine Conference with the theme 'A Historic Juncture: Israel's Destruction of Gaza and the Palestinian Future.' — House Oversight and Government Reform Military and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee, 10 a.m.: Clearing the Path: Reforming Procurement to Accelerate Defense Innovation — House Armed Services Committee, 10 a.m.: Department of the Navy FY2026 Budget Request — Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, 10 a.m.: A Review of the President's FY2026 Budget Request for the Department of Defense — Hudson Institute, 10 a.m.: Risky Business: How Chinese Companies Use Hong Kong to Evade U.S. Sanctions. — House Homeland Security Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee, 10:30 a.m.: The Rise of Anti-Israel Extremist Groups and Their Threat to U.S. National Security — Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 11 a.m.: Understanding the Information Environment to Protect Democracy Thanks to our editors, Rosie Perper and Katherine Long, who never succeed in undermining our diplomatic efforts.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iranian lawmakers accuse US and Israel of planning nuclear talks trap
DUBAI (Reuters) -The United States and Israel are seeking to turn nuclear talks into a "strategic trap" for Iran, Iranian lawmakers said in a statement on Tuesday, days before a planned sixth round of Iran-U.S. nuclear talks. "The U.S. is not serious in negotiations at all. It has set the goal of talks as imposing its demands and has adopted offensive positions that are diametrically opposed to Iranians' inalienable rights," the statement from parliamentarians said. U.S. President Donald Trump highlighted on Monday that the two sides remained at odds on the issue of uranium enrichment in Iran, which Iranian lawmakers say is a non-negotiable part of the country's nuclear programme. While Trump said the next round of talks would take place on Thursday, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said it was planned to take place on Sunday in Oman. Iran is to share a counterproposal to a U.S. offer for a nuclear deal, which it says is not acceptable considering its position on enrichment and lack of detail on the lifting of sanctions. "The only acceptable deal is one that permanently lifts all sanctions with the aim of achieving economic benefits for Iran," lawmakers added in their statement.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Iranian lawmakers accuse US and Israel of planning nuclear talks trap
FILE PHOTO: Iran's and U.S.' flags are seen printed on paper in this illustration taken January 27, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File photo DUBAI - The United States and Israel are seeking to turn nuclear talks into a "strategic trap" for Iran, Iranian lawmakers said in a statement on Tuesday, days before a planned sixth round of Iran-U.S. nuclear talks. "The U.S. is not serious in negotiations at all. It has set the goal of talks as imposing its demands and has adopted offensive positions that are diametrically opposed to Iranians' inalienable rights," the statement from parliamentarians said. U.S. President Donald Trump highlighted on Monday that the two sides remained at odds on the issue of uranium enrichment in Iran, which Iranian lawmakers say is a non-negotiable part of the country's nuclear programme. While Trump said the next round of talks would take place on Thursday, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said it was planned to take place on Sunday in Oman. Iran is to share a counterproposal to a U.S. offer for a nuclear deal, which it says is not acceptable considering its position on enrichment and lack of detail on the lifting of sanctions. "The only acceptable deal is one that permanently lifts all sanctions with the aim of achieving economic benefits for Iran," lawmakers added in their statement. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump administration open to allowing Iran to continue some uranium enrichment: report
A report from Axios has indicated that the United States plans to allow Iran to continue limited low-level uranium enrichment on its soil for an unspecified period of time. On Saturday, the Trump administration presented its first formal proposal to Tehran in an attempt to sign a nuclear deal with the country, but did not share any details of the proposed deal publicly. "President Trump has made it clear that Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said over the weekend. "Special Envoy Witkoff has sent a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime, and it's in their best interest to accept it." The report, from Axios, cited two sources familiar with the Trump administration's ongoing negotiations with Iran. The White House did not deny the details of Axios' reporting when Fox News Digital reached out for confirmation. Iran Condemns Austria Over Report On Advanced Nuclear Weapons Program Instead, a White House official responded with a statement calling the terms of the deal "very tough" and insisted the terms of the deal prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. "President Trump is speaking the cold, hard truth. The terms we gave Iran were very tough and would make it impossible for them to ever obtain a nuclear bomb," the official said. Read On The Fox News App Media reports Monday said that Iranian officials were planning to reject the U.S.'s proposed deal. The new details reported by Axios might serve to assuage some of the Iranians' concerns, but could also anger some Republicans, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who have all expressed that they only want zero nuclear enrichment as part of the deal – in addition to full dismantlement of Iran's nuclear program. White House Urges Iran To Accept Nuclear Deal As Iaea Reports Uranium Enrichment Spike Axios reported that the details of the proposal described to them indicated that Iran would not be allowed to build any more new enrichment facilities, must "dismantle critical infrastructure for conversion and processing of uranium," and would be forced to halt any new research and development on nuclear centrifuges. However, according to the details of the proposal reported by Axios, Iran will be allowed to participate in a regional enrichment consortium under certain conditions. For example, Iran will only be able to develop domestic enrichment capabilities for civilian purposes only, according to Axios. Meanwhile, after signing the agreement, Iran would be forced to reduce its enrichment concentration to 3% and shut down all underground enrichment facilities for an agreed-upon time period by both parties. The new proposal also seeks to develop auditing and oversight mechanisms to ensure Iran follows the rules of the article source: Trump administration open to allowing Iran to continue some uranium enrichment: report
