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Shafaq News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iran, E3 seek way forward on nuclear program
Shafaq News/ Iran and three European signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal discussed the future of Tehran's nuclear program and the possible reactivation of UN sanctions. The meeting, held at the Iranian Consulate in Istanbul, brought together deputy foreign ministers from Iran, the UK, France, and Germany. Iran remains concerned that the European parties may invoke the agreement's 'snapback mechanism,' a clause that would reinstate UN sanctions lifted under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). In a May 11 op-ed published in Le Point, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that triggering the mechanism would 'mark not only the end of Europe's role in the agreement, but also a dangerous turning point,' calling for continued dialogue. European governments have not publicly clarified their position. However, diplomats familiar with the talks indicated that a decision could be made by August to allow time for the UN procedure. Following the talks, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that Iran and the E3 'remain committed to diplomacy' and would 'reconvene as necessary.' The meeting came as Iran and the United States continue indirect negotiations over Iran's nuclear activities, which expanded beyond JCPOA limits following Washington's 2018 withdrawal from the agreement. As the negotiations move into a fifth round, US officials have demanded verifiable restrictions on enrichment and greater transparency, while Iran continues to call for the full lifting of sanctions.
Epoch Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Iranian, European Officials to Hold Nuclear Talks in Istanbul
Iranian and European officials will meet in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 16 to discuss a lapsed nuclear deal that had sought to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has confirmed. At the upcoming talks, Iranian diplomats will meet their British, French, and German counterparts to discuss parameters of a potential new nuclear deal now being negotiated between Tehran and Washington. The announcement comes after an earlier meeting between European and Iranian officials, originally slated for May 2, was postponed. Britain, France, and Germany—collectively known as the E3 group of nations—were all signatories to the earlier nuclear deal, which was first signed in 2015. Along with Iran and the United States, Russia and China were also signatories to the agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). During President Donald Trump's first term in office, the United States unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA and reimposed sanctions on Iran. Related Stories 5/12/2025 5/10/2025 Under the terms of a United Nations resolution ratifying the JCPOA, the E3 states can also reimpose U.N. sanctions on Tehran before Oct. 18—a process known as a 'snapback mechanism.' Earlier this week, Araqchi warned Britain, France, and Germany that activation of the 'snapback mechanism' could escalate tensions. 'Iran has made its position clear,' he wrote in a May 12 column in French weekly magazine Le Point. '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.' On May 14, Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency likewise Citing Iranian press reports, the news agency said the upcoming talks would be held 'at the deputy foreign ministry level.' 'Difficult' Talks With US Since entering the White House in January, the Trump administration has sought to negotiate a renewed nuclear deal with Iran. On May 11, a fourth round of U.S.–Iran talks was held in Oman, which has acted as mediator between the two adversaries since negotiations kicked off last month. While the E3 states are not part of the Oman-hosted talks, they are coordinating closely with Washington on the possible reimposition of sanctions on Iran. Trump has repeatedly stated that Tehran must not be allowed to have nuclear weapons and has threatened the use of military force if the talks break down. Tehran, for its part, says its nuclear energy program is intended solely for civilian purposes. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi (L) meets his Omani counterpart before talks with U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff in Muscat, Oman, on April 12, 2025. Iranian Foreign Ministry via AP Araqchi described this week's talks in Oman, which focused on the issue of Uranium enrichment, as 'difficult,' calling on U.S. negotiators to adopt 'more realistic positions.' Speaking to reporters on May 12, Trump struck a conciliatory note, saying that Tehran was 'talking intelligently.' 'We want Iran to be wealthy and ... great, but they can't have a nuclear weapon,' he said. 'I think they understand that I mean business, and I think they're being very reasonable thus far.' The next day, however, Trump adopted a harsher tone, describing Iran as the 'most destructive force' in the Middle East and blaming it for regional instability. 'If Iran's leadership rejects this olive branch ... we will have no choice but to inflict massive maximum pressure,' he said in Saudi capital Riyadh. Araqchi later described Trump's remarks as 'deceptive.' 'It is the U.S. that has prevented Iran's progress through sanctions,' he said. Reuters contributed to this report.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Iran warns European powers against 'strategy of confrontation'
Photo: AP PARIS: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned European powers against a "strategy of confrontation" over Tehran's nuclear programme, according to comments published in a French weekly on Sunday. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said in late April that France, along with Germany and Britain, "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. "This strategy of confrontation risks provoking a global nuclear proliferation crisis that would primarily affect Europeans themselves," Araghchi said in comments published by French weekly Le Point. Operation Sindoor Amid flare-up hours after thaw, officials say things will settle down with time Ceasefire on, but pressure stays: Key decisions by India against Pak that still stand 'Will work with India & Pakistan to seek solution on Kashmir': Trump Araghchi said he was ready to travel to Paris, Berlin and London "to begin a new chapter." He deplored the fact that the so-called "snapback" mechanism provided for in the 2015 agreement, enabling UN sanctions to be reinstated in the event of Iran failing to meet its commitments, was "now being used as a diplomatic lever", whereas it was "initially designed as a tool for settling disputes as a last resort." "Iran has made its position clear," said Araghchi, stressing that Iran has warned global powers that "abusing the 'snapback' mechanism will have consequences -- not only the end of Europe's role in the agreement, but also an escalation of tensions that could become irreversible." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Invest $200 in Amazon without buying stocks to earn a second salary Marketsall Sign Up Undo "The E3 must ask itself how it has reached this impasse," he said, referring to France, Germany and Britain. "Instead of adjusting their strategy, they have adopted a confrontational stance -- invoking human rights or Iran's legitimate relations with Russia as pretexts for distancing themselves diplomatically." The comments were published as Iran and the United States kicked off their fourth round of nuclear talks in Muscat. The negotiations follow earlier rounds that began nearly a month ago, marking the highest-level contact between the two foes since Washington withdrew in 2018 from the nuclear deal, during President Donald Trump's first term.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
US, Russia explore ways to restore Russian gas flows to Europe, sources say
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel LONDON/MOSCOW: With a frost covering Europe 's energy relations with Russia , officials from Washington and Moscow have held discussions about the U.S. helping to revive Russian gas sales to the continent, eight sources familiar with the talks have told slashed its imports of Russian gas following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a move that saw Russian exporter Gazprom post a $7 billion loss the following year.U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing for peace in Ukraine, raising the prospects of a thaw in gas close to the bilateral discussions said carving out a renewed role for Moscow in the European Union's gas market could help cement a peace deal with Russian President Vladimir much of Europe has sought alternative supply, some buyers have remained, and industry officials say more could return once a peace deal is for Russia, nothing has hit its economy harder than the loss of most of Europe's gas market three years now supplies 19% of Europe's demand, down from 40%, mainly consisting of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and some piped via Turkey along the TurkStream involvement in restoring the gas sales could help Moscow navigate political opposition in much of Europe.U.S. involvement would also benefit Washington, giving it visibility, and possibly some control, over how much Russian gas returns to Europe, two diplomatic sources and a White House source 2022, Europe has turned to other gas providers, including U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG).U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin's investment envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, have held conversations about gas as part of Ukraine peace talks, two of the eight sources spokesperson declined to comment when asked if he discussed the issue of Russian gas exports to Europe."Currently, there are no such discussions," Russia's Direct Investment Fund, headed by Dmitriev, said in a statement to would consider selling gas to Europe if a new owner took control of the gas network between Russia and Europe, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told French magazine Le Point in the route crossing the Baltic Sea Gazprom controls the two twin pipelines of Nord Stream 1 and 2 backed by European firms which hold is ready to trade its gas and knows that some European countries still want to buy it, Peskov said in the Le Point interview. "There is a gas seller, there are potential buyers," Peskov told reporters in still buying include Hungary and Slovakia which receive gas through the TurkStream pipeline. Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Spain get LNG from Russia's Novatek under long-term how the Americans might get involved, five sources said talks to date have discussed U.S. investors taking stakes in the Nord Stream pipeline connecting Russia and Germany, or in the pipeline crossing Ukraine, or in Gazprom itself.U.S. firms could also serve as the buyers, purchasing gas from Gazprom and shipping it to Europe, including to Germany, the sources of the sources said diplomatic talks involving potential U.S. investors have also looked at the idea of a U.S. buyer taking Russian gas and then exporting it on to Europe as a way of alleviating European political opposition to resuming Vanguard and Capital Group each hold stakes of 1-2% in Vanguard and Gazprom did not respond to requests for comment. Capital Group declined to European Commission declined to comment. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has expressed her opposition to returning to Russian energy supplies."Some are still saying that we should re-open the tap of Russian gas and oil. This would be a mistake of historic dimensions and we would never let it happen," she told a European Parliament session on May 7."Russia has proven, time and again, that it is not a reliable supplier."Brussels wants to ban new Russian gas deals by the end of 2025 and ban imports under existing deals by the end of 2027. The plan, to be debated next month, would require approval from the European Parliament and a majority of member states. Hungary and Slovakia have expressed their opposition to the has said he hopes for a Ukraine peace deal soon and expects this to pave the way for both Russia and Ukraine to do big business with the is ready to restart gas exports to Europe immediately if there is political will to do so, Putin has and Washington signed a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal on April 30 to include all Ukrainian government-owned natural resource assets and infrastructure but did not explicitly mention the pipeline."If this level of engagement between Russia and the U.S. continues, it's very likely that there will be a resumption of Russian gas flows... involving U.S. intermediaries," said a person who is familiar with the keen to resurrect its European sales, is considering offering German clients short-term 24-month contracts and steep price discounts, two sources it has asked buyers to sign contracts lasting decades, two sources the EU remains broadly opposed, and there are other hurdles to overcome. There are numerous legal cases hanging over breaches of legacy Nord Stream pipelines were damaged in a sabotage attack in September 2022. Three of the four pipes were ruptured, leaving just one still able to pump war in Ukraine has also changed the situation, with Russian attacks damaging pipelines crossing Ukraine, though the key transit route remains in working order.A more technical matter is that Nord Stream 2 also never received German government approval to begin sending gas to Germany, a spokesperson from Germany's economy and energy ministry noted, declining to comment further.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Exclusive-US, Russia explore ways to restore Russian gas flows to Europe, sources say
By Anna Hirtenstein and Marwa Rashad LONDON/MOSCOW (Reuters) -With a frost covering Europe's energy relations with Russia, officials from Washington and Moscow have held discussions about the U.S. helping to revive Russian gas sales to the continent, eight sources familiar with the talks have told Reuters. Europe slashed its imports of Russian gas following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a move that saw Russian exporter Gazprom post a $7 billion loss the following year. U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing for peace in Ukraine, raising the prospects of a thaw in gas ties. Sources close to the bilateral discussions said carving out a renewed role for Moscow in the European Union's gas market could help cement a peace deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Though much of Europe has sought alternative supply, some buyers have remained, and industry officials say more could return once a peace deal is agreed. As for Russia, nothing has hit its economy harder than the loss of most of Europe's gas market three years ago. It now supplies 19% of Europe's demand, down from 40%, mainly consisting of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and some piped via Turkey along the TurkStream pipeline. Washington's involvement in restoring the gas sales could help Moscow navigate political opposition in much of Europe. U.S. involvement would also benefit Washington, giving it visibility, and possibly some control, over how much Russian gas returns to Europe, two diplomatic sources and a White House source said. Since 2022, Europe has turned to other gas providers, including U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG). U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin's investment envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, have held conversations about gas as part of Ukraine peace talks, two of the eight sources said. Witkoff's spokesperson declined to comment when asked if he discussed the issue of Russian gas exports to Europe. "Currently, there are no such discussions," Russia's Direct Investment Fund, headed by Dmitriev, said in a statement to Reuters. Gazprom would consider selling gas to Europe if a new owner took control of the gas network between Russia and Europe, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told French magazine Le Point in April. On the route crossing the Baltic Sea Gazprom controls the two twin pipelines of Nord Stream 1 and 2 backed by European firms which hold stakes. Moscow is ready to trade its gas and knows that some European countries still want to buy it, Peskov said in the Le Point interview. "There is a gas seller, there are potential buyers," Peskov told reporters in April. Countries still buying include Hungary and Slovakia which receive gas through the TurkStream pipeline. Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Spain get LNG from Russia's Novatek under long-term contracts. Regarding how the Americans might get involved, five sources said talks to date have discussed U.S. investors taking stakes in the Nord Stream pipeline connecting Russia and Germany, or in the pipeline crossing Ukraine, or in Gazprom itself.U.S. firms could also serve as the buyers, purchasing gas from Gazprom and shipping it to Europe, including to Germany, the sources said. Two of the sources said diplomatic talks involving potential U.S. investors have also looked at the idea of a U.S. buyer taking Russian gas and then exporting it on to Europe as a way of alleviating European political opposition to resuming supplies. BlackRock, Vanguard and Capital Group each hold stakes of 1-2% in Gazprom. BlackRock, Vanguard and Gazprom did not respond to requests for comment. Capital Group declined to comment. The European Commission declined to comment. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has expressed her opposition to returning to Russian energy supplies. "Some are still saying that we should re-open the tap of Russian gas and oil. This would be a mistake of historic dimensions and we would never let it happen," she told a European Parliament session on May 7. "Russia has proven, time and again, that it is not a reliable supplier." Brussels wants to ban new Russian gas deals by the end of 2025 and ban imports under existing deals by the end of 2027. The plan, to be debated next month, would require approval from the European Parliament and a majority of member states. Hungary and Slovakia have expressed their opposition to the move. Trump has said he hopes for a Ukraine peace deal soon and expects this to pave the way for both Russia and Ukraine to do big business with the U.S. Russia is ready to restart gas exports to Europe immediately if there is political will to do so, Putin has said. Kyiv and Washington signed a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal on April 30 to include all Ukrainian government-owned natural resource assets and infrastructure but did not explicitly mention the pipeline. "If this level of engagement between Russia and the U.S. continues, it's very likely that there will be a resumption of Russian gas flows... involving U.S. intermediaries," said a person who is familiar with the discussions. Gazprom, keen to resurrect its European sales, is considering offering German clients short-term 24-month contracts and steep price discounts, two sources said. Traditionally it has asked buyers to sign contracts lasting decades, two sources noted. HURDLES Yet the EU remains broadly opposed, and there are other hurdles to overcome. There are numerous legal cases hanging over breaches of legacy contracts. The Nord Stream pipelines were damaged in a sabotage attack in September 2022. Three of the four pipes were ruptured, leaving just one still able to pump gas. The war in Ukraine has also changed the situation, with Russian attacks damaging pipelines crossing Ukraine, though the key transit route remains in working order. A more technical matter is that Nord Stream 2 also never received German government approval to begin sending gas to Germany, a spokesperson from Germany's economy and energy ministry noted, declining to comment further.
