Latest news with #Jean-NoelBarrot
Straits Times
28 minutes ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Europeans to test Iran's appetite for nuclear compromise as sanctions loom
French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, meet at an outdoor terrace table at the offices of the honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Geneva, Switzerland June 20, 2025, during a meeting of European foreign ministers, as European countries call for de-escalation of tensions after Israeli airstrikes on Iran aimed at breaking the Iranian nuclear programme. Top European diplomats are set to meet with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva to discuss Iran's nuclear programme. Fabrice Coffrini/Pool via REUTERS PARIS - France, Britain and Germany will hold face-to-face talks with Iran on Friday for the first time since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June, aiming to gauge Tehran's appetite for a compromise to avert sanctions, diplomats say. The three European countries, along with China and Russia, are the remaining parties to a 2015 deal - from which the U.S. withdrew in 2018 - that lifted sanctions on Iran in return for restrictions on its nuclear programme. Friday's talks between senior diplomats from the so-called E3 group and Iran's negotiating team will be held in Istanbul. The United States held five rounds of talks with Iran prior to its airstrikes in June, which U.S. President Donald Trump, said had "obliterated" a programme that Washington and its ally Israel say is aimed at acquiring a nuclear bomb. Iran denies seeking a nuclear weapon. European and Iranian diplomats say there is no prospect of Iran re-engaging with the U.S. at the negotiating table for now. But the Europeans say negotiations must be revived due to a halt in inspections of nuclear facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and as an October 18 deadline for the expiration of the 2015 deal draws closer. They also want answers over the location of 400 kg (880 pounds) of near-weapons grade highly enriched uranium, whose whereabouts have not been known since last month's strikes. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia 11 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border: Reports Asia Deadly Thai-Cambodian dispute puts Asean's relevance on the line Asia Live: People evacuated from border regions amid deadly Thailand-Cambodia clash Singapore Technology can help efforts to shift healthcare delivery towards the community: Ong Ye Kung Singapore Mice industry will need more manpower in sectors like technology, sustainability: Alvin Tan Singapore Khatib Camp to make way for housing, with its functions moving to Amoy Quee Camp Singapore Mindef to set up new volunteer management unit to grow volunteer pool Singapore Primary 1 registration: 29 schools to conduct ballot in Phase 2B "We are determined to do everything to reach a diplomatic solution," German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told a press conference in Paris on July 18. SNAPBACK OR EXTENSION? Under the terms of the U.N. Security Council resolution enshrining the 2015 deal, U.N. sanctions could be reimposed before the agreement expires - a process that would take about 30 days. The E3, who do not want to lose leverage by letting the deal expire, have warned that unless there is a new nuclear accord they will launch the "snapback mechanism", which would restore all previous U.N. sanctions on Iran, including on the oil, banking and defence sectors. With Russia - an ally of Iran - taking over the Security Council presidency in October, the three European countries have signalled that the latest window to reactivate the sanctions would be the end of August. Three European, one regional and an Iranian diplomat said the meeting in Istanbul would focus primarily on the issue of the snapback mechanism. They said the E3 would float the possibility to Iran of extending the snapback mechanism by up to six months. In return, Iran would need to make commitments on key issues, including eventual talks with Washington, full cooperation with the IAEA, and accounting for its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Speaking to reporters at the U.N. on Wednesday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, who will be in Istanbul, said Tehran had agreed to allow a technical team from the IAEA to visit in the coming weeks. He warned that a triggering of the snapback mechanism would be met with a strong response from Tehran. It has previously threatened to leave the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) over the issue. Gharibabadi added that he had heard about the possibility of an extension. "That's very premature now to discuss the issue of the extension. We have almost about three months actually, till the deadline of 18th of October," he said. A Trump administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. was "coordinated" with the E3 when asked whether Washington was discussing the reimposition of sanctions with them, but declined to elaborate. Israel's Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer was in Paris on Thursday and due to meet French officials for talks on various subjects, including Iran, four sources said. Israel launched the attacks on Iran saying it wanted to remove any chance of its arch-foe developing nuclear weapons. REUTERS
RTÉ News
5 hours ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
International media groups urge Israel to allow access to Gaza
A number of international news agencies have called on Israel to allow journalists in and out of Gaza which is subject to a strict blockade. "We are desperately concerned for our journalists in Gaza, who are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families," the media groups, Agence France-Presse (AFP), Associated Press (AP) and Reuters as well as the BBC, said in a joint statement. They added that "journalists endure many deprivations and hardships in war zones. We are deeply alarmed that the threat of starvation is now one of them." "We once again urge the Israeli authorities to allow journalists in and out of Gaza. It is essential that adequate food supplies reach the people there," they concluded. With Gaza sealed off, many media groups around the world depend on photo, video and text coverage of the conflict by Palestinian reporters working for international news agencies such as AFP. International criticism is growing over the plight of the more than two million Palestinian civilians in Gaza, where more than 100 aid and rights groups have warned that "mass starvation" is spreading. Since the war started following the unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Palestinian militant group Hamas, journalists have been able to enter Gaza only with the Israeli army and with strict military censorship rules. Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in early July that more than 200 journalists had been killed in Gaza since the war began. AFP news agency said this week it was concerned about "the appalling situation" faced by its staff in Gaza, warning that their lives were in danger. "We have no energy left due to hunger and lack of food," said Omar al-Qattaa, an AFP photographer shortlisted for a Pulitzer Prize earlier this year. Israel says humanitarian aid is being allowed in and accuses Hamas of exploiting civilian suffering, including by stealing food handouts to sell at inflated prices or shooting at those awaiting aid. Witnesses and Gaza's civil defence agency, however, have repeatedly accused Israeli forces of firing on aid seekers, with the UN saying the military had killed more than 1,000 Palestinians trying to get food since late May. AFP succeeded in evacuating eight staff members and their families from Gaza between January and April 2024, after months of effort. The agency and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot had urged Israel to allow AFP's freelancers and their families to leave the occupied coastal territory earlier this week. The World Health Organization's chief warned yesterday of widespread starvation in Gaza, saying food deliveries into the territory were "far below what is needed for the survival of the population". With foreign reporters prevented from entering Gaza and local reporters being killed repeatedly, Gaza was "a place where journalism itself is threatened with extinction", Reporters Without Borders warned in its 2024 annual report. In some cases, Israel has accused reporters of being "terror operatives", such as when it killed a Gaza-based Al Jazeera staff journalist and freelancer last year - allegations condemned by the Qatari news network. Al Jazeera, which has been banned in Israel, says the Israeli military has been targeting its staff since the start of the war because of the channel's coverage. "We know that probably most journalists inside Gaza are operating under the auspices of Hamas, and until Hamas is destroyed, they will not be allowed to report freely," Israeli government spokesman David Mercer told a press conference in December.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
France's foreign minister visits front-line region in Ukraine
Find out what's new on ST website and app. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot visiting Ukraine's front-line region of Kharkiv, which is under constant fire from the Russian forces located some 30km away, on July 22. KHARKIV, Ukraine - France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on July 22 visited Ukraine's northeastern front-line region of Kharkiv, where Russia launched a new offensive in 2024. With a small group of journalists including AFP, Mr Barrot walked through the centre of Kharkiv, which is under constant fire from the Russian forces located some 30km away. 'Russia isn't only leading its war of aggression on the front line. It also deliberately targets civilians, residential areas and businesses to undermine Ukrainian morale,' Mr Barrot said, standing on a rooftop overlooking the city, from where ruined offices and residential buildings could be seen. His Ukrainian counterpart, Mr Andrii Sybiha, thanked him for the visit, saying 'our people need to understand that they are not alone.' Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, was home to 1.4 million people before the war and has long been known for literature, industry, and student life. 'War is waged not only with guns and tanks, but also with intelligence,' Mr Barrot said, before heading to the Kharkiv literature museum. He then visited a military position at an undisclosed location, where he was briefed on the front line situation in northeastern and eastern Ukraine. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Singapore, Vietnam agree to step up defence ties, dialogue between leaders Asia Malaysia govt's reform pledge tested as DAP chief bows over unresolved 2009 death of political aide Singapore Woman evacuated from lift in Supreme Court building after falling glass triggers emergency halt Singapore Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving The minister also spoke to servicemen and had lunch in the military canteen. AFP
eNCA
2 days ago
- Politics
- eNCA
Top French diplomat visits Ukraine frontline region
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Tuesday visited Ukraine's northeastern frontline region of Kharkiv, where Russia launched a new offensive last year. With a small group of journalists including AFP, Barrot walked through the centre of Kharkiv, which is under constant fire from the Russian forces located some 30 kilometres away. "Russia isn't only leading its war of aggression on the front line. It also deliberately targets civilians, residential areas and businesses to undermine Ukrainian morale," Barrot said standing on a rooftop overlooking the city, from where ruined offices and residential buildings could be seen. His Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiga thanked him for the visit, saying "our people need to understand that they are not alone." Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, was home to 1.4 million people before the war and has long been known for literature, industry, and student life. "War is waged not only with guns and tanks, but also with intelligence," Barrot said, before heading to the Kharkiv literature museum. He then visited a military position at an undisclosed location, where he was briefed on the front line situation in northeastern and eastern Ukraine.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
French foreign minister visits Ukraine frontline in Kharkiv
KHARKIV: France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot visited Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region on Tuesday, witnessing firsthand the impact of Russia's ongoing offensive. Accompanied by journalists, he walked through the city centre, which remains under frequent shelling from Russian forces positioned 30 kilometres away. 'Russia isn't only leading its war of aggression on the front line. It also deliberately targets civilians, residential areas and businesses to undermine Ukrainian morale,' Barrot said from a rooftop overlooking damaged buildings. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga expressed gratitude for the visit, stating, 'our people need to understand that they are not alone.' Kharkiv, once a cultural and industrial hub with 1.4 million residents, continues to endure heavy attacks. Barrot emphasised the broader nature of warfare, noting, 'War is waged not only with trucks and tanks, but also with intelligence.' His itinerary included a stop at the Kharkiv literature museum before proceeding to a military site for a frontline briefing. The minister also engaged with Ukrainian troops and shared a meal in their canteen, reinforcing France's support for Ukraine's defence efforts. – AFP
