Latest news with #SecurityCouncilResolution2231
L'Orient-Le Jour
25-07-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Iran and Europeans begin nuclear talks with questions over future UN sanctions
Iran pushed back on Friday on suggestions of extending a U.N. resolution that ratifies a 2015 nuclear deal as it began the first face-to-face talks with Western powers since Israel and the U.S. bombed it last month. Delegations from Iran, the European Union and the so-called E3 group of France, Britain and Germany arrived for talks at the Iranian consulate in Istanbul. The European countries, along with China and Russia, are the remaining parties to a 2015 deal - from which the U.S. withdrew in 2018 - that lifted sanctions on Iran in return for restrictions on its nuclear program. A deadline of Oct. 18 is fast approaching when the resolution governing that deal expires. At that point, all U.N. sanctions on Iran will be lifted unless a "snapback" mechanism is triggered at least 30 days before. This would automatically reimpose those sanctions, which target sectors from hydrocarbons to banking and defense. To give time for this to happen, the E3 have set a deadline of the end of August to revive diplomacy. Diplomats say they want Iran to take concrete steps to convince them to extend the deadline by up to six months. Iran would need to make commitments on key issues, including eventual talks with Washington, full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and accounting for 400 kg (880 pounds) of near-weapons-grade highly enriched uranium, whose whereabouts are unknown since last month's strikes. Minutes before the talks began, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told the state news agency IRNA that Iran considered talk of extending U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 to be "meaningless and baseless". The United States held five rounds of talks with Iran prior to its airstrikes in June, which U.S. President Donald Trump said had "obliterated" a programme that Washington and its ally Israel say is aimed at acquiring a nuclear bomb. However, NBC News has cited current and former U.S. officials as saying a subsequent U.S. assessment found the strikes destroyed most of one of three targeted Iranian nuclear sites, but that the other two were not as badly damaged. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons. European and Iranian diplomats say there is no prospect of Iran re-engaging with the U.S. at the negotiating table for now.
Reuters
25-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Iran and Europeans hold 'frank' nuclear talks with UN sanctions looming
ISTANBUL, July 25 (Reuters) - Iran said it would continue nuclear talks with European powers after "serious, frank, and detailed" conversations on Friday, the first such face-to-face meeting since Israel and the U.S. bombed Iran last month. Before the meeting in Istanbul, Iran also pushed back on suggestions of extending the United Nations resolution that ratifies a 2015 deal, nearing expiry, that was designed to curb its nuclear programme. Delegations from the European Union and so-called E3 group of France, Britain and Germany met Iranian counterparts for about four hours at Iran's consulate for talks that the U.N. nuclear watchdog said could provide an opening to resume inspections in Iran. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said afterward that both sides had presented specific ideas on sanctions relief and the nuclear issue. "While seriously criticising their stances regarding the recent war of aggression against our people, we explained our principled positions, including on the so-called snapback mechanism," he said. "It was agreed that consultations on this matter will continue." The European countries, along with China and Russia, are the remaining parties to the 2015 deal - from which the U.S. withdrew in 2018 - which lifted sanctions on Iran in return for restrictions on its nuclear programme. A deadline of Oct. 18 is fast approaching when the resolution governing that deal expires. At that point, all U.N. sanctions on Iran will be lifted unless the "snapback" mechanism is triggered at least 30 days before. This would automatically reimpose those sanctions, which target sectors from hydrocarbons to banking and defence. To give time for this to happen, the E3 have set a deadline of the end of August to revive diplomacy. Diplomats say they want Iran to take concrete steps to convince them to extend the deadline by up to six months. Iran would need to make commitments on key issues including eventual talks with Washington, full cooperation with the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and accounting for 400 kg (880 pounds) of near-weapons-grade highly enriched uranium, whose whereabouts are unknown since last month's strikes. Before the talks, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson had said Tehran considered talk of extending U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 to be "meaningless and baseless". IAEA head Rafael Grossi said he was optimistic that nuclear inspection visits might be able to restart this year and that it was important to discuss the technical details now. "We need to agree on where to go, how to do it. We need to listen to Iran in terms of what they consider should be the precautions to be taken," he told reporters in Singapore. The United States held five rounds of talks with Iran prior to its airstrikes in June, which U.S. President Donald Trump said had "obliterated" a programme that Washington and its ally Israel say is aimed at acquiring a nuclear bomb. However, NBC News has cited current and former U.S. officials as saying a subsequent U.S. assessment found that while the strikes destroyed most of one of three targeted nuclear sites, the other two were not as badly damaged. Iran denies seeking a nuclear weapon and says its nuclear programme is meant solely for civilian purposes.
Gulf Insider
10-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Russian Duma Ratifies 20-Year Defense, Energy Pact With Iran
Russia's State Duma ratified the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between Russia and Iran in its plenary session on 8 April, Sputnik reported. 'The agreement lays a solid foundation for expanding the comprehensive Russian–Iranian partnership in all areas, including defense, counterterrorism, energy, finance, transportation, industry, science, and technology,' the Russian news outlet stated. The treaty was concluded for 20 years, with the possibility of a subsequent five-year extension. The agreement was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, before being voted on in the Duma. The Russian president stated, 'The partnership agreement between Russia and Iran aims to create conditions for stable and sustainable development' for both countries and the broader region. Putin added that 'Russia and Iran are pursuing independent paths on the global stage and are resisting external pressure and the application of illegitimate sanctions.' Russia and Iran have been targeted by harsh US economic sanctions in recent years. Regarding the agreement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated, 'Iran and Russia, as two large and powerful countries, play a prominent role in shaping the new world order.' 'Iran, with its strategic location at the center of energy geography and international trade, and Russia, as a country with endless resources, advanced industry, and extensive influence, have enormous potential for cooperation,' Araghchi added. The comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between Russia and Iran replaces the current security agreement signed by both countries in 2001. The Duma ratified the treaty as trilateral consultations were underway in Moscow between Russia, China, and Iran on the Iranian nuclear program. The consultations 'will discuss various aspects related to the nuclear issue, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and UN Security Council Resolution 2231,' Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai stated Tuesday during his weekly news briefing. The three countries previously held consultations on Iran's nuclear program on March 14. The US and Israel are demanding that Iran enter negotiations over its nuclear program. They claim Iran is seeking a nuclear weapon. Iran has stated that its program is for civilian use and that nuclear weapons are un-Islamic. Moscow has said it was not obliged to help #Iran under a potential U.S. attack after President Donald Trump warned Tehran against getting a nuclear weapon. Yes, the new Russia-Iran Strategic Cooperation Agreement does not have a mutual defense — Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) April 9, 2025 On March 7, US President Donald Trump sent a letter to the leadership in Tehran asking for direct negotiations. Trump's letter issued a clear threat – negotiate or risk a bombing campaign against the Iranian nuclear program. The US president later reiterated this threat, saying in late March that 'If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing.' Trump told reporters on Monday, following his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that Washington will be 'having direct talks with Iran, and they've started.' However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran will only engage in 'indirect' nuclear negotiations with the US via Oman. Also read: Russia Praises US-Iran Nuclear Talks Scheduled For Oman
