Latest news with #Russia-led
Miami Herald
21-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Iran Seals Russia Defense Pact as US Nuclear Tensions Rise
Iran's parliament ratified a 20-year strategic partnership with Russia on Wednesday, formalizing a broad alliance that expands military and economic cooperation between the two heavily sanctioned nations, according to state media. The move comes as nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington are in doubt, raising fears of a renewed crisis in the Middle East with U.S. President Donald Trump threatening possible military action if no deal is reached. Newsweek has reached out to the State Department for comment. The agreement deepens Iran's alignment with Russia at a time when both countries are under intense pressure from Western sanctions. For Tehran, the pact offers a strategic hedge as nuclear talks with the U.S. falter over uranium enrichment. For Moscow, it secures a critical partner in the Middle East amid its ongoing war in Ukraine and growing isolation from the West. The timing also underscores a broader geopolitical realignment, as Iran and Russia seek to challenge U.S. influence by building alternative defense and economic frameworks. The pact, signed by Presidents Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian in January and ratified by Russia's legislature in April, includes provisions for joint military exercises, defense technology sharing, and coordination against shared threats. However, it stops short of a mutual defense clause, reflecting Moscow's caution in entangling itself in Iran's regional conflicts. Iran has supplied Russia with Shahed drones used extensively in the Ukraine conflict, boosting Moscow's strike capabilities. Iran is collaborating with Russia to manufacture drones domestically to bypass Western sanctions and supply shortages. Western officials have also accused Tehran of providing ballistic missiles to Russia, allegations Iran continues to deny. The agreement aims to circumvent Western financial systems by linking national payment infrastructures, with over 95 percent of bilateral trade conducted in rubles and rials. A separate free trade deal between Iran and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union came into effect last week, reducing tariffs and boosting trade. Russia has also committed to assisting Iran in developing its nuclear energy sector, including the construction of additional nuclear power units. Meanwhile, nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S. have reached a stalemate. Iran has said it will not halt uranium enrichment or dismantle its missile program, while the U.S. demands significant concessions. Their last meeting on May 11 was described by Iran as "difficult but useful," while a U.S. official said the administration was "encouraged." Araghchi recently told reporters that Oman will officially announce the time and place of the fifth Iran-U.S. talks soon. Russian President Vladimir Putin: "This truly breakthrough document is aimed at creating the necessary conditions for the stable and sustainable development of Russia and Iran and our entire Eurasian region." Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian: "This marks an important new chapter for our countries." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi: "The nature of this treaty is primarily economic and it encompasses all economic areas such as trade and tourism, transportation and energy." With the partnership ratified, Iran and Russia are set to deepen military and economic cooperation as the U.S. and its allies monitor closely amid ongoing nuclear talks and growing regional tensions. Related Articles Israel Preparing Strike on Iran Amid US Tensions: ReportU.S. Doubles Down on Iran Nuclear ThreatIran Ramps Up Defenses as Risks of U.S. Attack GrowIran's Supreme Leader Speaks Out on Nuclear Deal With Trump 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Iran Seals Russia Defense Pact as US Nuclear Tensions Rise
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Iran's parliament ratified a 20-year strategic partnership with Russia on Wednesday, formalizing a broad alliance that expands military and economic cooperation between the two heavily sanctioned nations, according to state media. The move comes as nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington are in doubt, raising fears of a renewed crisis in the Middle East with U.S. President Donald Trump threatening possible military action if no deal is reached. Newsweek has reached out to the State Department for comment. Why It Matters The agreement deepens Iran's alignment with Russia at a time when both countries are under intense pressure from Western sanctions. For Tehran, the pact offers a strategic hedge as nuclear talks with the U.S. falter over uranium enrichment. For Moscow, it secures a critical partner in the Middle East amid its ongoing war in Ukraine and growing isolation from the West. The timing also underscores a broader geopolitical realignment, as Iran and Russia seek to challenge U.S. influence by building alternative defense and economic frameworks. In this picture released by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, right, speaks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Sept. 7, 2018.... In this picture released by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, right, speaks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Sept. 7, 2018. A portrait of the late Iranian revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini hangs on the wall. More Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/AP Photo What to Know The pact, signed by Presidents Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian in January and ratified by Russia's legislature in April, includes provisions for joint military exercises, defense technology sharing, and coordination against shared threats. However, it stops short of a mutual defense clause, reflecting Moscow's caution in entangling itself in Iran's regional conflicts. Drone and Missile Collaboration Iran has supplied Russia with Shahed drones used extensively in the Ukraine conflict, boosting Moscow's strike capabilities. Iran is collaborating with Russia to manufacture drones domestically to bypass Western sanctions and supply shortages. Western officials have also accused Tehran of providing ballistic missiles to Russia, allegations Iran continues to deny. Economic Integration The agreement aims to circumvent Western financial systems by linking national payment infrastructures, with over 95 percent of bilateral trade conducted in rubles and rials. A separate free trade deal between Iran and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union came into effect last week, reducing tariffs and boosting trade. Russia has also committed to assisting Iran in developing its nuclear energy sector, including the construction of additional nuclear power units. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi gives a joint press conference with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the foreign ministry headquarters in Tehran on February 25, 2025. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi gives a joint press conference with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the foreign ministry headquarters in Tehran on February 25, 2025. Atta Kenare/AP Photo U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks Meanwhile, nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S. have reached a stalemate. Iran has said it will not halt uranium enrichment or dismantle its missile program, while the U.S. demands significant concessions. Their last meeting on May 11 was described by Iran as "difficult but useful," while a U.S. official said the administration was "encouraged." Araghchi recently told reporters that Oman will officially announce the time and place of the fifth Iran-U.S. talks soon. What People Are Saying Russian President Vladimir Putin: "This truly breakthrough document is aimed at creating the necessary conditions for the stable and sustainable development of Russia and Iran and our entire Eurasian region." Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian: "This marks an important new chapter for our countries." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi: "The nature of this treaty is primarily economic and it encompasses all economic areas such as trade and tourism, transportation and energy." What Happens Next With the partnership ratified, Iran and Russia are set to deepen military and economic cooperation as the U.S. and its allies monitor closely amid ongoing nuclear talks and growing regional tensions.
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Anwar's final day in Russia focuses on Islamic, tech and trade ties
KAZAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is set to deliver a keynote address at the Strategic Vision Group (SVG) Russia–Islamic World dialogue, on the final day of his official visit to Russia. The dialogue will be held at the Kazan Hi-Technology Park, a regional innovation hub that houses tech start-ups, research institutions and companies focused on digital transformation, smart manufacturing and halal innovation. The SVG, established in 2006, is a Russia-led initiative aimed at strengthening dialogue with members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. It gathers political leaders, scholars, technocrats and religious figures to discuss peacebuilding, education, technology and joint development strategies. Following the dialogue, the prime minister will tour the park's key facilities, in a move underscoring Malaysia's interest in developing new partnerships in technology, Islamic finance and halal economy solutions. The park is central to Russia's ambition to position Tatarstan as a tech and halal economy leader within the Islamic world. Anwar is also scheduled to perform Friday prayers at the historic Mardzhani Mosque, one of Kazan's oldest Islamic landmarks. The mosque, built in the 18th century, stands as a symbol of religious coexistence in Tatarstan, where Tatars and Russians form a model of multiethnic harmony. At midday, Anwar will attend a working lunch hosted by Tatarstan Prime Minister Aleksei Pesoshin at the Tatarskaya Usadba, a traditional Tatar venue in the heart of Kazan. Talks are expected to centre on tourism, agriculture and bilateral education initiatives. The prime minister will then head to Kazan Expo, where he is expected to hold an exclusive interview with TV BRICS, an international media network that promotes news and cultural exchange among BRICS countries and partner nations. This will be followed by his keynote address at the plenary session of the 16th International Economic Forum "Russia–Islamic World: KazanForum 2025." Malaysia's participation in the forum is aimed at expanding trade, investment and halal supply chain linkages between Russian and Muslim-majority nations. Before concluding his trip, Anwar will hold an exit press conference at Kazan Expo to share key takeaways from the visit. The prime minister is scheduled to depart for Kuala Lumpur from Kazan International Airport at 6pm local time, marking the end of his four-day official visit which has included high-level engagements in both Moscow and Kazan.
Newsweek
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Putin Ally Issues Warning on Nuclear Weapons and 'New Global War'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The leader of a Russia-led military alliance, Imangali Tasmagambetov, has warned that the world faces the "risk of a new global war" due to recent instability and the proliferation of nuclear weapons among major powers, according to Russian news agency TASS. Newsweek reached out to the U.S. State Department by submission form on Thursday morning for comment. Why It Matters World tensions have been rising since Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine in early 2022. The Kremlin leader has repeatedly leaned on the nation's nuclear weapons as a thinly-veiled threat throughout the conflict, but officials have ramped up those warnings as the U.S. pursues an end to the conflict. President Donald Trump said during his 2024 presidential campaign that he would bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end "in a day" after taking office, but nearly 100 days into his second administration, those efforts appear far from an endgame. Trump has even warned he may abandon his diplomatic efforts altogether if a deal doesn't soon materialize. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday abruptly pulled out of discussions with Kyiv and European officials after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky heavily criticized reports that the U.S. would seek territorial concessions in order to achieve a peace deal. Left to right: President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko (L), President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Russian President Vladimir Putin, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and the Secretary-General of the Collective Security... Left to right: President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko (L), President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Russian President Vladimir Putin, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and the Secretary-General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, Imangali Tasmagambetov, in Astana, Kazakhstan, on November 28, 2024. More Gavriil Grigorov/POOL/AFP via Getty Images What To Know Tasmagambetov, the secretary-general of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), this week spoke at a conference at the Central Museum of the Armed Forces of Russia in Moscow, where he raised concerns about a new worldwide conflict. "The current transitional period carries the risk of a new global war being unleashed. We know that nuclear weapons and the near universal tendency towards military escalation make a third world war a real possibility," Tasmagambetov said. "This makes the analysis of conflict potentials in the modern world both timely and vital—not only for academic study but for international political practice." The CSTO is an organization comprised of former Soviet Union states Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan, first formed in 1992, but reformatted into the CSTO in 2002. Tasmagambetov spoke of the alliance's keen awareness of the security challenges in the current international security landscape. He said that it is "our sacred duty to fight for the preservation of our historical memory, to resist any attempts to distort the events of those years, to belittle the significance of the great feat of the Soviet people." "Amid today's complex environment of profound geopolitical shifts, CSTO member states are jointly responding to many security challenges, strengthening military brotherhood and fine-tuning cooperation mechanisms to counter common threats," Tasmagambetov said. "In this sense, the organization stands as a worthy heir to those traditions that helped the peoples of the USSR to achieve their Great Victory." The Soviet Union's "Great Victory" refers to the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, which Russia celebrates annually with its Victory Day holiday. Putin has accused Ukraine of having Nazi elements and used that as part of his justification to invade the country. He has repeatedly declared the invasion a mission of "denazification" in Ukraine, invoking the memory of Victory Day to try to rally his nation behind his cause. What People Are Saying Russian Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu on Thursday told TASS: "...in the event of foreign states committing unfriendly actions that pose a threat to the sovereignty and territory integrity of the Russian Federation, our country considers it legitimate to take symmetric and asymmetric measures necessary to suppress such actions and prevent their recurrence." Vice President JD Vance told reporters in India on Wednesday: "We have engaged in an extraordinary amount of diplomacy and on-the-ground work. We really tried to understand things from the perspectives of both Ukrainians and Russians. I think that we put together a very fair proposal." "It's time for them to either say yes, or for the United States to walk away from this process. The current lines, somewhere close to them is where you're ultimately, I think, going to draw the new lines in the conflict." What Happens Next Trump and his advisers will continue to push for a deal between Ukraine and Russia, but patience is wearing thin on all sides as each fails to draw closer to a proper deal.
RNZ News
23-04-2025
- Science
- RNZ News
China-led lunar base to include nuclear power plant on moon's surface, space official
By Eduardo Baptista , Reuters China's Chang'e-8 mission aims to lay the groundwork for the construction of a permanent manned lunar base. Photo: Mayank Mrug Preliminary plans for the China and Russia-led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) include building a nuclear reactor on the moon's surface, a presentation by a Chinese space official on Wednesday showed. The presentation by chief engineer for China's 2028 Chang'e-8 mission, Pei Zhaoyu, showed the base's energy supply could also depend on large-scale solar arrays, which would be built on the moon's surface. China's Chang'e-8 mission aims to lay the groundwork for the construction of a permanent manned lunar base. The Chang'e-6 probe was successfully launched in Wenchang, Hainan Province on 3 May, 2024. Photo: CFOTO / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP The world's second largest economy is aiming to become a major space power and land astronauts on the moon by 2030 . China's timeline to build an outpost on the moon's south pole coincides with NASA's more ambitious and advanced Artemis programme, which aims to put US astronauts back on the lunar surface in December 2025. Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and chief designer of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Project, Wu Weiren, said last year a "basic model" of the ILRS, with the South Pole of the Moon as its core, would be built by 2035. The Chang'e lunar probe launches are part of the construction phase for the "basic model" outlined by Wu. In future, China will create the "555 Project", inviting 50 countries, 500 international scientific research institutions and 5,000 overseas researchers to join the ILRS. - Reuters
