Latest news with #Oman-mediated
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump warns Netanyahu off Iran strike as nuclear talks continue
United States President Donald Trump has said that he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold off on any strike against Iran to give his administration more time to push for a new nuclear deal with Tehran, as several rounds of talks have been held in Oman and Italy. Trump told reporters on Wednesday at the White House that he relayed to Netanyahu a strike 'would be inappropriate to do right now because we're very close to a solution'. The Israeli leader has been threatening a bombardment of Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran has said it would respond with severity if any such attack were launched. In the meantime, Iran may pause uranium enrichment if the US releases frozen Iranian funds and recognises its right to refine uranium for civilian use under a 'political deal' that could lead to a broader nuclear accord, two Iranian official sources told the Reuters news agency. The sources, close to the negotiating team, said on Wednesday that a 'political understanding with the United States could be reached soon' if Washington accepted Tehran's conditions. The sources told Reuters that under this arrangement, Tehran would halt uranium enrichment for a latest developments came as the head of the UN's atomic watchdog group said that 'the jury is still out' on negotiations between Iran and the US over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme. But Rafael Mariano Grossi described the ongoing negotiations as a good sign. 'I think that is an indication of a willingness to come to an agreement. And I think that… is something possible.' The 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), placed limits on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. It collapsed after Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the agreement in 2018, leading to a sharp escalation in tensions and a breakdown in diplomatic relations. US officials have repeatedly said that any new deal must include a firm commitment from Iran to halt uranium enrichment, which they view as a potential pathway to building nuclear weapons. However, Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear arms, insisting its programme is solely for civilian purposes. It has rejected Washington's demand to eliminate enrichment capabilities, calling it an infringement on national sovereignty. It remains the critical sticking point after negotiators for Tehran and Washington met for a fifth round of Oman-mediated talks in Rome. Instead, Iran has reportedly proposed that the US publicly recognise Tehran's right to enrich uranium under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and approve the release of Iranian oil revenues frozen under US sanctions.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Trump tells Netanyahu to hold off strikes on Iran amid ongoing nuclear negotiations
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed he asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay any military action against Iran amid ongoing nuclear negotiations. "Well, I'd like to be honest, yes I did," Trump said when asked if he had told Netanyahu in a call last week not to take any action that could disrupt Washington's talks with Tehran. Pressed on what he told the Israeli Prime Minister, Trump replied: "I just said I don't think it's appropriate, we're having very good discussions with them." He added: "I told him this would be inappropriate to do right now because we're very close to a solution. "I think they want to make a deal, and if we can make a deal, save a lot of lives." According to Times of Israel, Netanyahu and Trump had engaged in a heated phone call last week over how to confront Iran. Trump reportedly told Netanyahu, 'I want a diplomatic solution with the Iranians. I believe in my ability to make a good deal.' He emphasized his preference for a negotiated agreement that serves both sides' interests. Meanwhile, Trump signaled potential progress in the talks with Tehran, suggesting that a breakthrough announcement could come within days. "We've had some very, very good talks with Iran. And I don't know if I'll be telling you anything good or bad over the next two days, but I have a feeling I might be telling you something good," Trump said while speaking in northern New Jersey. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "We've had some real progress, serious progress. Let's see what happens, but I think we could have some good news on the Iran front," he added. Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and US State Department policy planning director Michael Anton represented the United States during the latest (fifth) round of talks with Iran, held over the weekend at the Omani embassy in Rome. These Oman-mediated negotiations, which began in April, mark the highest-level direct contact between the two nations since the US exited the 2015 Iran nuclear deal during Trump's first term. Since returning to office in January, Trump has revived his 'maximum pressure' strategy while remaining open to diplomacy — though warning of military action if talks fail. Iran, for its part, seeks a new deal that would ease crippling economic sanctions. However, following the latest talks, Iranian Foreign Minister and chief negotiator Abbas Araghchi urged caution, stating that 'the negotiations are too complicated to be resolved in two or three meetings.' Oman's foreign minister echoed this sentiment, saying the talks concluded with 'some but not conclusive progress.' The latest round took place ahead of a key June meeting of the UN's nuclear watchdog, the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is set to review Iran's nuclear activities.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Iran rules out enrichment break as bait for US nuclear deal
Iran will not suspend its enrichment of uranium to secure a deal on its nuclear programme with the United States, officials say. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmail Baghaei reiterated Tehran's tough public stance on Monday, branding reports that Iran could offer to freeze enrichment for three years as talks with the US proceed as 'totally false'. The denial came three days after negotiators for Tehran and Washington met for a fifth round of Oman-mediated talks in Rome. The US has said it cannot accept any Iranian enrichment. Iran has rejected any such 'red line'. 'Iran will never accept' the suspension of its enrichment programme, Baghaei told reporters, adding that Tehran is awaiting details from Oman regarding a sixth round of negotiations looking at how the country might adjust its nuclear programme in exchange for eased US sanctions. Mindful of domestic politics, Tehran has been careful to maintain a tough line around the talks. President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday sought to double down on assertions that Iran is ready to walk away without a deal if necessary, regardless of the cost. 'It's not like we will die of hunger if they refuse to negotiate with us or impose sanctions. We will find a way to survive,' said Pezeshkian, who was quoted by the state news agency IRNA. The mood painted by Tehran after the latest round of talks contrasted with the picture offered in Washington. On Sunday, US President Donald Trump, who regularly makes unsubstantiated claims regarding progress made towards solving complex geopolitical puzzles, said the negotiations had been 'very, very good' and suggested an announcement would be made 'over the next two days'. 'Let's see what happens, but I think we could have some good news on the Iran front,' he said. 'We've had some real progress, serious progress.' At the same time, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had also spoken of a 'sign of progress' after the fifth round of talks. The optimism had helped spur media reports that a provisional agreement was being considered as a stepping stone towards a final deal. Baghaei, however, ruled out the possibility of an interim deal. 'If there is goodwill from the American side, we are also optimistic, but if talks are aimed at curbing Iran's rights, then talks will get nowhere,' he said.
Observer
6 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Trump calls Iran-US nuclear talks 'very, very good'
Morristown, United States - US President Donald Trump on Sunday described the latest negotiations between Washington and Tehran over Iran's nuclear program as "very, very good." Speaking on the tarmac at Morristown airport before boarding Air Force One, Trump hailed "real progress, serious progress" following a fifth round of nuclear talks, which wrapped up in Rome on Friday. The Oman-mediated talks, which began in April, are the highest-level contact between the countries since the United States quit a landmark 2015 nuclear accord during Trump's first term as US president. Since returning to the office, Trump has revived his "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran, backing talks but warning of military action if diplomacy fails. Iran wants a new deal that would ease the sanctions that have battered its economy. Following the latest round, Iranian Foreign Minister and lead negotiator Abbas Araghchi downplayed the progress, stressing that "the negotiations are too complicated to be resolved in two or three meetings." And Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said on X that the fifth round concluded "with some but not conclusive progress," adding that he hoped "the remaining issues" would be clarified in the coming days. Trump said continuing discussions had been "very, very good." "I think we could have some good news on the Iran front," he said, adding that an announcement could come "over the next two days." The talks came ahead of a June meeting of the UN nuclear watchdog, the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), during which Iran's nuclear activities will be reviewed. They also come before the October expiry of the 2015 accord, which aimed to allay US and European Union suspicions that Iran was seeking nuclear weapons capability, an ambition that Tehran has consistently denied. In return for curbs on its nuclear program, Iran had received relief from international sanctions. But the accord was torpedoed in 2018 when Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States and reimposed sanctions. A year later, Iran responded by ramping up its nuclear activities. It is now enriching uranium to 60 percent -- far above the deal's 3.67 percent cap but below the 90-percent level needed for a nuclear warhead. bur-nl/aha X
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Trump calls Iran-US nuclear talks ‘very, very good'
MORRISTOWN: US President Donald Trump on Sunday described the latest negotiations between Washington and Tehran over Iran's nuclear program as 'very, very good.' Speaking on the tarmac at Morristown airport before boarding Air Force One, Trump hailed 'real progress, serious progress' following a fifth round of nuclear talks, which wrapped up in Rome on Friday. The Oman-mediated talks, which began in April, are the highest-level contact between the countries since the United States quit a landmark 2015 nuclear accord during Trump's first term as US president. Since returning to office, Trump has revived his 'maximum pressure' campaign on Iran, backing talks but warning of military action if diplomacy fails. Iran wants a new deal that would ease the sanctions that have battered its economy. Following the latest round, Iranian Foreign Minister and lead negotiator Abbas Araghchi downplayed the progress, stressing that 'the negotiations are too complicated to be resolved in two or three meetings.' And Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said on X that the fifth round concluded 'with some but not conclusive progress,' adding that he hoped 'the remaining issues' would be clarified in the coming days. Trump said continuing discussions had been 'very, very good.' 'I think we could have some good news on the Iran front,' he said, adding that an announcement could come 'over the next two days.' The talks came ahead of a June meeting of the UN nuclear watchdog, the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), during which Iran's nuclear activities will be reviewed. They also come before the October expiry of the 2015 accord, which aimed to allay US and European Union suspicions that Iran was seeking nuclear weapons capability, an ambition that Tehran has consistently denied. In return for curbs on its nuclear program, Iran had received relief from international sanctions. But the accord was torpedoed in 2018 when Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States and reimposed sanctions. A year later, Iran responded by ramping up its nuclear activities. It is now enriching uranium to 60 percent -- far above the deal's 3.67 percent cap but below the 90-percent level needed for a nuclear warhead.
