Latest news with #JointComprehensivePlanofAction
NDTV
3 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Iran's Khamenei Calls Israel "Dog On A Leash" Of US, Warns Of "Bigger Blows"
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that it is ready to respond to any renewed military attack, and that it could deliver an even bigger blow to its adversaries, than what it gave during the 12-day war with Israel. "The fact that our nation is ready to face the power of the United States and its dog on a leash, the Zionist regime (Israel), is very praiseworthy," Khamenei said. Last month, the United States had launched strikes on Iran's nuclear and military facilities, although Iran has said that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. In response, Iran had struck a US base in Qatar. "The base attacked by Iran was an extremely sensitive American regional base and an even bigger blow could be inflicted on the US and others", Khamenei said. Currently, Iran is under pressure to agree to a nuclear deal with the US, as Washington and three European powers have set the deadline for the deal to be at the end of August. If there is no progress till then, France's foreign minister said that a "snapback" mechanism will automatically impose all international sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 Iran deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Despite that, Iran's parliament shared a statement on Wednesday saying that Tehran will not resume nuclear talks with the US unless preconditions are not met, in a statement published by the Iranian Students' News Agency. "In both the diplomatic and military fields, whenever we enter the stage, we do so with our hands full and not from a position of weakness," Khamenei said, adding that diplomats should heed "guidelines" and continue their work.
Euronews
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Iran regime to change but not towards democracy, veteran diplomat says
A former US diplomat who helped negotiate the Iran nuclear deal said regime change in Iran remains unlikely despite the recent Israel-Iran conflict, warning that the 12-day strikes may have strengthened hardline elements within the Iranian government instead. Ellen Eyre, who served on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiating team under US President Barack Obama, told a virtual Middle East Institute meeting Tuesday that while political changes have begun following the most recent Israel-Iran conflict, they would not result in Western-style government replacement. Eyre said the recent conflict's consequences "are likely to make the current regime more militarised, isolated and security-focused," contrary to expectations that reformist factions, including President Masoud Pezeshkian would gain influence. When asked whether the Trump administration could leverage current conditions for diplomatic progress, Eyre expressed scepticism about the US's capabilities for such interventions. "Even in the best case scenario, the US has not been very successful in carrying out such subtle manipulations of the power structures of other countries," she said. The former diplomat noted that Iranian reformists "play a marginal role" and suggested that Washington lacks both the expertise and the political will to boost their chances from outside. Does IRGC hold all the cards? Iran's current regime shows no signs of immediate change, with military commanders and politicians still publicly pledging loyalty to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Furthermore, calls for a nationwide uprising by Israel and opposition groups abroad have not materialised since the conflict ended. Meanwhile, Eyre said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is the most likely actor to exploit any future succession proceedings. Notably, according to her, Khamenei initially held limited power but gradually expanded his authority through appointing loyalists and gatekeeping access to resources. "Whoever succeeds Khamenei has to go through the same process. But the new leader will be very weak in the short term and will inevitably follow Khamenei's policy. The IRGC will play a leading role in this power vacuum," Eyre said. She suggested that if Khamenei's successor fails to establish sufficient authority, "it is likely that the leadership position will become a ceremonial and demonstrative position and the real power will be in the hands of the Corps." Following US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, President Donald Trump has indicated that nuclear negotiations with Iran might resume, but that there was no urgency to restart discussions. "They want to have a conversation. I'm in no hurry to have a conversation because we've taken down their facilities," he said on Tuesday. Although Tehran has put its cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, on hold, Pezeshkian has hinted at possible openness to resume talks on Monday, stating in a social media post that "the window for diplomacy is open and we are pursuing this peaceful path seriously." Tehran has maintained it will not abandon uranium enrichment under any circumstances.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Iran Regime Change Is Underway, But Not in Trump's Favor—Former US Diplomat
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. A former U.S. diplomat involved in the last nuclear deal reached between Iran and major world powers has argued that the Islamic Republic was already undergoing a significant internal shift, although not in a manner likely to be beneficial to President Donald Trump's administration. Speaking during a virtual briefing held by the Middle East Institute on Tuesday, Alan Eyre, a veteran foreign service officer who served on the negotiating team that resulted in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear agreement in 2015, argued that "regime change" had already begun in Iran in the wake of the 12-day war fought with Israel. Yet he said that "regime change in the sense that people in the West think about it, which is an alternative form of government that's more pro-West," was "unlikely" to unfold. Rather than empowering Iran's reformist bloc, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, who renewed calls for diplomacy with the United States despite its unprecedented direct attack on Iranian nuclear facilities last month, Eyre stated that the recent conflict was "more likely making this regime more militaristic, more isolationist, emphasizing also the security aspect of it." Asked by Newsweek if there was a way he felt the Trump administration might be able to take advantage of the situation to advance the diplomatic solution still sought by the White House, Eyre remained doubtful. "The U.S., at its best, was not good at this sort of subtle manipulation of other polities that would derive some form of government that was pro-West or pro-U.S., and especially now with the current U.S. administration, we just don't have the expertise, or necessarily even the desire to engage in these sorts of intricacies," Eyre said. "Democracy these days is a very blunt tool that's rusting." "First of all, I think the reformists are of minor importance in Iran, and even if they were stronger, I don't think the U.S. has the ability to interface with it in a way to strengthen [them], at least in a way that's practical," he said. "I mean, the U.S. has tremendous ability to positively affect change in Iran and to strengthen reformists by lifting sanctions on Iran. But that's not going to happen." Newsweek reached out to the Iranian Mission to the United Nations and the U.S. State Department for comment. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attends a mourning ceremony commemorating the death anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussein, in Tehran on July 6, 2025. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attends a mourning ceremony commemorating the death anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussein, in Tehran on July 6, 2025. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/AP Changing Tides in Tehran The U.S. has a troubled history of interference in Iranian politics in pursuit of Washington's interests. The CIA-backed coup that helped reinstall the pro-Western shah in 1953 was followed by the 1979 Islamic Revolution that ultimately ousted the monarchy and put in place the current theocracy. Publicly, there has been little to suggest any new disruptions to Iran's ruling system taking place imminently. All major players, including military leaders from both the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the conventional Iranian Army, as well as reformist politicians, continue to swear loyalty to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who assumed power in 1989 following the death of his predecessor, revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Calls for mass uprisings by both Israel and an array of Iranian dissident groups, mostly based abroad, have also thus far gone unrealized in the wake of the 12-day war. Newsweek recently spoke with several analysts who have insider sources in Iran who identified a gradual shift in domestic power mechanisms that predated the current conflict and may be accelerated by it. Among the most common views expressed by experts was that Khamenei's position appeared to be weakening. The 86-year-old cleric wields absolute authority in Iran, though the IRGC has steadily consolidated influence over key mechanisms of power, including the economy, throughout his 36-year rule. As speculation mounts over his successor, set to be decided by the 88-member Assembly of Experts, many feel the next supreme leader will likely take a backseat to other forces. However, debate persists as to whether the potential shift would result in a more pragmatic path or even a harder-line direction for Tehran. Eyre, for his part, viewed the IRGC as the most likely actor to capitalize on any scenario involving the succession of the supreme leader. "That position is strong over long periods of time," Eyre said. "When Khamenei was originally picked, he had no power whatsoever functionally, but his power came from installing his people in key positions, in accessing revenue streams, and over time, building up a network of people beneath him who relied on him and whom he could rely on." "Whomever replaces Khamenei will have to do that same thing," he added. "But in the short term, whoever it is will be very weak and will be bound to more or less follow what he perceives to be the Khamenei line, and that means, since power abhors a vacuum, that the institution of the play a dominant role." If Khamenei's successor fails to establish sufficient authority, Eyre said that "the next supreme leader could, in fact, become a ceremonial, vestigial, performative position, with the real power being held by the IRGC." A Tough Path to Talks After launching a massive campaign of direct strikes last month, Israel targeted both facilities and personnel, killing scores of top IRGC commanders in particular. Iran retaliated with hundreds of missile and drone strikes against Israel, also targeting a U.S. base in Qatar after Trump ordered the first-ever direct strikes on Iran. Both Iran and Israel declared victory following the June 24 ceasefire announced by Trump, putting an end to the most intensive battle between the two arch-foes to date. Meanwhile, Trump, who abandoned the JCPOA during his first term in 2018, has continued to express his desire to resume negotiations toward striking a new nuclear deal with Iran. However, uncertainties surround the possibility of rekindling diplomacy, as the Iranian Foreign Ministry denied Trump's claim last week that Tehran had sent him a request to return to the table. Since then, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that Tehran would be willing to re-enter nuclear talks, but only on the condition that the White House provide a guarantee that it would pursue no additional military action against Iran. Pezeshkian's latest remarks on Tuesday appeared to emphasize Iran's openness to diplomacy, but neither Washington nor Tehran has confirmed any return to negotiations. "I think Iran fears that when the U.S. says it wants to negotiate, it means that it wants to accept Iran's surrender, because one of the things that Israel has done is now normalize new red lines where [there would be] no domestic enrichment, no missile program, no support for proxies," Eyre said. "So, the sort of terms that allow Iran to go forward that are inside the strategic air are much more punitive on Iran than they used to be, and I think much more punitive than Iran is willing to accept," he added. "So, while the U.S. is the final destination for Iranian diplomacy, I don't think they're upbeat at all." Eyre argued that "the real question is: What is the U.S. vision for diplomacy with Iran? Is it essentially punitive and maximalist or is there going to be a good-faith effort, which there wasn't before the war, to see if they can find a modus vivendi that modifies not just Iran's capabilities but also its intentions, which is going to be hard."
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Iran demands guarantees before returning to nuclear negotiating table
In response to a question about whether Iran has specific preconditions for resuming negotiations with the United States, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said any talks should not be held in 'deception.' 'We will not enter into such a process until we are sure of the effectiveness of diplomacy and the negotiation process,' Esmaeil Baqaei stressed, adding that diplomacy should not be stigmatised but should be used as 'a tool and an opportunity.' Addressing a weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday, he emphasised that no one has the right to deprive Iran of this tool to explain its point of view, defend its interests. According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Baqaei has once again warned the European signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal against using the so-called snapback mechanism that would re-impose UN sanctions on Iran if activated. Baqaei said that resorting to a mechanism, which was included in the UN Security Council's Resolution 2231 endorsing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for specific reasons, lacks any legal, political, or moral basis. Baqaei touched on the approach of China and Russia, saying the two friendly nations have always been ready to help resolve the Iranian nuclear issue. He denied any specific proposal or a package from Moscow and Beijing but said that they remain in contact such as during the BRICS Summit or as Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has travelled to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Ministerial Meeting, which will be a good opportunity to continue consultations. WAM
Memri
2 days ago
- Politics
- Memri
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov: Russia Is Ready To Provide Its Uranium Depletion Services To Iran
Amid escalating global tensions over Tehran's nuclear program, Moscow expressed its desire to assist Iran with uranium depletion. Speaking on the results of the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro on July 6-7, 2025, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov framed this proposal as a return to principal agreements reached under Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The Kremlin's proposal followed a provocative statement by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who on June 22, said on his Telegram channel that "a number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their nuclear weapons."[1] Although the minister's statements are much more cautious and measured, sharply contrasting with Medvedev's tone, Moscow clearly has not abandoned its attempts to remain an important player in the Middle Eastern theatre. Following is a selection of statements, as provided by journalist Olga Keskin, that Lavrov made at the recent BRICS summit:[2] "We Possess Such Technological Capabilities – We Are Ready To Provide Them" "Russia is ready to provide its uranium depletion services to Iran. This was announced by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov by the results of the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (Source: Foreign Ministry / Telegram)[3] "'As for Russia, we are not talking about mediation. Russian President Vladimir Putin recalled that when the Joint Comprehensive Program of Action on Iran's nuclear program was agreed upon, it took into account Russia's ability to provide uranium depletion services (which had accumulated in the Islamic Republic of Iran prior to the passing of this document) to the level necessary for energy purposes in nuclear power plants. Because over the years since the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Program of Action, Iran had no commitment to limit enrichment, but now there are such talks. You have just reminded us that we possess such technological capabilities. We are ready to provide them, taking away the surplus of over-enriched uranium for processing in Russia and later return of energy-enriched uranium to the Islamic Republic for its nuclear power facilities,' stated Lavrov. Naturally [it will happen], according to the minister, provided 'the parties are comfortable with Russia helping to bring their positions closer together.' "Lavrov noted that 'the Joint Comprehensive Program of Action, which was approved, for which all participants were thanked by the international community, and which was later canceled, was developed with the participation of, among others, the Europeans, the Americans, Russia and China.' 'So, should the main actor – Tehran – express such a desire, we would be eager to step forward,' said the minister. "The minister also emphasized the fact that the leadership of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) 'must demonstrate accountability for the assessments it issues, [the assessment it] has published in the past, and which were presented to the Board of Governors of the Organization literally a few days before the start of the aggression.'" "The West... Has Long And Undeservedly Held More Seats [In The UNSC] Than It Should From The Point Of View Of The Balance Of Power" "These assessments, Lavrov said, were regarded by many as 'ambiguous' and 'the "Western troika" (France, Britain, Germany) seized upon these assessments, introducing a resolution at the UN Security Council that was sharply critical of Iran.' "A day or two later, an Israeli attack on civilian nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards followed. That was, a fairly simple and understandable 'chain,' in which the IAEA Secretariat, willingly or unwillingly, played a well-known role. Therefore, now we believe that the Secretariat must provide guarantees that from now on it will strictly follow the powers with which it is vested, and not try to fabricate some narratives, which are subsequently used for politicization and for promoting of the unilateral interests of individual members,' Lavrov added. "The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry said that at the current summit 'a lot of attention was paid to the reform of global governance mechanisms,' wherein 'unusually high attention compared to previous years, was paid to the reform of the United Nations.' "'The text that was agreed upon reaffirms the need to expand the Security Council by overcoming the under-representation of the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. We are not talking about the West. It has long and undeservedly held more seats than it should from the point of view of the balance of power, the balance of forces in the international arena,' said Lavrov." "NATO Expansion Didn't Benefit Anyone" "The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry believes that 'NATO expansion didn't benefit anyone, including the members of the North Atlantic Alliance themselves.' 'There are deepening disagreements there [NATO], sort of a light mutiny on the ship is brewing, as an increasing number of countries want to be guided not by some ideologized attitudes imposed by the host, but by their national interests,' added the Russian foreign minister."
