Latest news with #NPT
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
IAEA exposes secret Iranian nuclear uranium enrichment
"Despite countless warnings by the international community, Iran is totally determined to complete its nuclear weapons program," the PMO said. Iran previously carried out secret nuclear activities with material not declared to the UN nuclear watchdog at three locations that have long been under investigation, the watchdog said in a wide-ranging, confidential report to member states seen by Reuters. The International Atomic Energy Agency has concluded that "these three locations, and other possible related locations, were part of an undeclared structured nuclear program carried out by Iran until the early 2000s and that some activities used undeclared nuclear material," the report requested by the IAEA's Board of Governors in November said. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) called the IAEA report on Iran's nuclear program grave and clear, saying it proves Iran is fully committed to developing nuclear weapons. The PMO stressed that Iran is violating the Non-Proliferation Treaty and blocking IAEA inspections. It urged the international community to act now to stop Iran's nuclear progress. "The IAEA has reported a grave and unequivocal report on Iran's nuclear program. The agency presents a stark picture that serves as a clear warning sign. Despite countless warnings by the international community, Iran is totally determined to complete its nuclear weapons program," the PMO began. "The report strongly reinforces what Israel has been saying for years: The purpose of Iran's nuclear program is not peaceful. This is evident from the alarming scope of Iran's uranium enrichment activity. Such a level of enrichment exists only in countries actively pursuing nuclear weapons and has no civilian justification whatsoever." "The report clearly indicates that Iran remains non-compliant with its fundamental commitments and obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and continues to withhold cooperation from IAEA inspectors. The international community must act now to stop Iran," the PMO concluded.
Shafaq News
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iran's Foreign Minister: Uranium enrichment non-negotiable
Shafaq News/ On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed any attempts to restrict Tehran's uranium enrichment activities as a violation of national sovereignty. In a televised address, Araghchi described enrichment as a fundamental and non-negotiable right. 'We will never accept being told we cannot enrich uranium.' He emphasized that efforts to challenge Iran's enrichment rights amount to foreign control, adding that enrichment has remained a central issue in all rounds of nuclear negotiations with Washington. 'The right to enrichment is a national necessity directly tied to our position against foreign hegemony.' While reaffirming Iran's opposition to nuclear weapons, Araghchi accused other parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of failing to meet their obligations. 'No party has the authority to deny Iran a right recognized under international law.' His remarks come ahead of an anticipated sixth round of nuclear negotiations with the US, amid rising pressure from Western powers seeking tighter safeguards
Shafaq News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iran to continue nuclear talks: No compromise on enrichment
Shafaq News/ On Monday, Iran reaffirmed its willingness to continue negotiations with the United States over its nuclear program, stressing the pursuit of a fair agreement that safeguards its rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Addressing reporters during his weekly briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei dismissed recent reports on the nuclear talks as 'misinformation'' largely originating from Israel, emphasizing the need for accurate information amid ongoing diplomatic efforts. Baghaei also provided an update on Oman's role as mediator in the stalled negotiations, confirming that consultations remain active, but no date or venue for renewed talks has been set. He said Oman is well-versed in Iran's positions, welcoming its proposals aimed at bridging gaps between Tehran and Washington. However, he reiterated that uranium enrichment remains a non-negotiable red line for Iran. 'Any proposal must respect this red line.' In response to recent comments from former US President Donald Trump regarding potential future talks, Baghaei underscored Iran's longstanding position that its nuclear program is peaceful and non-military, stressing that Tehran has never sought nuclear weapons, but warned that efforts to deprive Iran of its legitimate rights under the NPT would fail, as these rights reflect 'the will and need of our people.' Regarding the proposal for a regional nuclear consortium, the spokesperson supported peaceful nuclear cooperation while clarifying that such initiatives would not replace Iran's independent uranium enrichment capabilities.
Al Manar
23-05-2025
- Business
- Al Manar
Iran's Foreign Minister Arrives in Rome for Fifth Round of Indirect Talks with US
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in the Italian capital on Friday to participate in the fifth round of indirect negotiations with US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff. The talks are being mediated by the Sultanate of Oman. Araghchi has previously engaged in four such rounds—three in Muscat and one in Rome—conducted indirectly through Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi. Accompanied by a high-level delegation of legal, political, banking, and financial experts, Araghchi departed Tehran early Friday. His delegation includes Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Deputy for Political Affairs; Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy for Legal and International Affairs; Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei; along with senior diplomats and advisers. The Rome talks are scheduled to begin at 1:00 PM local time. US officials—including President Trump, Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and spokespeople for both the White House and State Department—have recently insisted that any agreement with Iran must include a complete halt to uranium enrichment. Tehran has strongly rejected this position, which it considers a red line. Iran's central demand remains the effective and verifiable lifting of the illegal and unilateral US sanctions. Tehran maintains that uranium enrichment is its inalienable right under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and insists on maintaining the full nuclear fuel cycle. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei criticized Washington's latest moves, saying, 'These sanctions—especially at this critical moment—further question the seriousness of the United States in pursuing a diplomatic path.' The US' 'multilayered' sanctions against Iran must be considered 'crimes against humanity,' said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei in an X post on Friday, referring to the US 'extending…sanctions to the construction sector' 'On the eve of the fifth round of… — The New Region (@thenewregion) May 23, 2025 He added that Rubio's recent expansion of sanctions to cover Iran's construction sector reflects 'a new peak in hostile and unlawful US actions against the Iranian people.' Just hours after the Iranian Parliament declared that uranium enrichment levels 'cannot be capped below 20%' and must align with the country's peaceful needs, Hasan Qashqavi, head of Parliament's subcommittee on nuclear affairs, reaffirmed that uranium enrichment is a 'sacred achievement bought with the blood of nuclear martyrs.' Qashqavi reiterated in an interview with IRNA that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons but demands full and unconditional sanctions relief. In a separate development, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesman Ali Mohammad Naeini stated that Iran has achieved 'effective deterrence' and now possesses 'potent offensive capabilities.' He warned that any attack on Iran would be met with a 'resolute and forceful' response, asserting that the country's military strength continues to grow daily. Threats from the rogue Israeli regime are nothing new. But the recent leak citing US officials as divulging Israeli plans for an unlawful attack on Iran and its nuclear facilities is alarming and warrants immediate and serious condemnation from the UN Security Council and the… — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 22, 2025 Reacting to reports of possible Israeli occupation's action against Iran's nuclear facilities, Araghchi issued a stern warning to 'Tel Aviv.' He called on the United Nations and the Security Council to take 'immediate and effective action' against Israeli threats and repeated violations of the UN Charter. He also urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to maintain neutrality and condemn Israel's threats, emphasizing that Iran's nuclear program remains peaceful and under IAEA supervision. In a letter to the UN, Araghchi declared that Tehran would 'firmly respond to any threat or illegal act' and would take 'all necessary measures' to protect its citizens, interests, and facilities from any form of aggression or sabotage, in accordance with international law.
Shafaq News
23-05-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iran rejects US demand for ZERO enrichment ahead of key nuclear talks
Shafaq News/ Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared on Friday that Tehran would not accept any nuclear agreement with the United States if Washington insists on a complete halt to uranium enrichment. In a post on X, published before his departure to Rome, Araghchi stated that the nuclear deal equation is simple, 'Zero nuclear weapons = we DO have a deal. Zero enrichment = we do NOT have a deal.' Adding that it is 'Time to decide." Set to travel to Rome for 5th round of indirect talks with the United States. Figuring out the path to a deal is not rocket science:Zero nuclear weapons = we DO have a enrichment = we do NOT have a to decide... — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 22, 2025 His remarks come ahead of the fifth round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States, set to take place in the Italian capital. The Iranian delegation is expected to include senior experts in politics, law, and economics, signaling Tehran's serious approach to the negotiations. According to Iran's Mehr News Agency, Araghchi departed Tehran early Friday amid heightened tensions over the nuclear file, particularly after Iran labeled new US sanctions as a direct blow to diplomatic efforts. Washington has maintained that full cessation of uranium enrichment is a core requirement for any agreement, arguing it is the only way to ensure Iran does not attain nuclear weapons capability. Tehran, however, sees such a condition as a violation of its sovereign rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Iranian officials have accused the US of undermining diplomacy through what they describe as 'unlawful and coercive' sanctions targeting Iran's construction sector and strategic industries. The timing of these sanctions, imposed just days before the Rome talks, has raised questions about Washington's intent.
