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IOL News
an hour ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Gaza Genocide: Israel's Disregard for the Rule of Law Setting a Dangerous Precedent
Shuruq Ayyad consoles her 12-year-old daughter Rahaf, who suffers from malnutrition, at a school-turned-shelter in al-Rimal in central Gaza City, on May 4, 2025. Dr Nazreen Shaik-Peremanov Nixon's Watergate scandal showcased the US fireworks cartel's militaristic capability in Christmas lighting the Vietnamese skies. Indeed, it was not a sombre, white Christmas in Vietnam. Dense bush and guerrilla tactics were promptly served to Nixon's Santa by the Vietnamese forces. Like, the world and Americans forgot the planted listening devices during electioneering. Two weeks of bombings were supposedly due to a stalemate, or so that is what we are told. Lyndon B Johnson could not say much, except probably, 'Walk on, Henry Kissinger, walk on.' No amount of evidence could bite Kissinger's realpolitik in Cambodia, Vietnam or Latin America. Mass atrocities levied against innocent civilians, non-combatants and poor governments were met with repeated condonation. Political pragmatism is a wicked term for the human auditory canal. South Africa's application before the United Nations' judicial arm, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), was brought in December 29, 2023. Citing genocide and acknowledging Israel as a nation-state amongst the world's states, the ICJ shared its decision with the international community, inter alia, interdicting Israel from committing genocidal acts, permitting humanitarian aid and assistance to Palestinians, and directing that Israel report to the world's court on measures taken. Expectedly, Israel disregarded the judgement whilst most of the world's normal-thinking nations hailed the decision, awaiting action with bated breath. Breathe easy for Israel will not do a damn thing, is what many failed to realise. With the US and Russia at loggerheads over Ukraine, some odd incidents of allegedly purported Pakistani terror attacks on India, and a few other morphed international incidents, and a falling star from the link, the Palestinian genocide has paled in significance. Like Northern Ireland, the mind's conditioning shifted into gear. Perhaps, this is precisely what the intention was. Notoriously, international relations are ridden with diversion tactics, especially when they bring comfort to those who seek to remain clandestine. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ So, it is not puzzling when the moving spotlight repeatedly scavenge new prey. Such is a diversion. It is inordinately difficult to make room for anything other than what the victors choose after a tyrannical war on the world. Victor's justice paved the way for the UN's formation after World War II, preceded by the League of Nations. Even though Nuremberg was specially established for war crimes, inter alia, the victors considered it apt to establish a world court. Thus began a litany of insanity as witnessed by none else. The UN Charter is the ICJ's founding document, and the ICJ's powers are informed by the International Court of Justice's Statute. This means that the ICJ is de facto a world court, preceded by no other. Well, perhaps the US and the State of Israel are the glaring exceptions. Like parties to any dispute in daily ruminations, states, too, can muse themselves by presenting a matter for adjudication before the ICJ. Pacific settlement of disputes may be the ICJ's ethos, but political pragmatism reigns supreme. When a dispute is brought before any court of law for adjudication, the court is duty-bound to deliver a just verdict swiftly, deftly and judiciously, without fear, favour or prejudice. Upon a court's ruling or judgment, disputing parties must comply with the court's directive. Equally, these principles of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law apply to states bringing matters for consideration before the ICJ. However, international relations is a dynamic creature which impacts international law in a myriad of ways. Swayed mostly by the UN Security Council's permanent members, the US steers the UN's coffers and its activities. Additionally, the P5's veto power is severely weighted against justice being meted out. Poorer nations, with little wielding power, yield to those that control the coffers, also driven by political hegemony and trade needs. Thus, when the ICJ delivered its ruling in the South Africa obo Palestine v Israel matter, Israel could successfully rely on its US alliance, effectively setting aside the ICJ's ruling. Despotically arrogant, the rule of law was cast to an abandoned no-man's-land shore. International relations and international law are two sides of the same coin. Israel was judicially directed to cease all genocidal activities in Gaza. Israel was directed to take immediate and effective measures to provide humanitarian aid to all Palestinians. Israel was directed to report to the ICJ on these directives. Israel was directed to report on its domestic legal willingness to bring perpetrators to justice. Israel denied having occupied Gaza, and persisted in flagrant disregard of the ICJ's ruling, permitting little humanitarian aid to the long-suffering Palestinians who have not only been stripped of their land but also are imminently facing extermination. Sounds familiar? Yes, it takes us back to Nazi Germany. International law meant nothing then; it means nothing now, except if the victors wish to confer meaning. Kissinger, we intelligently understand, acted in the US's best interests, then found a persisting dominant military centre-stage.
India Today
8 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Iran one step from using enriched uranium for nukes: UN watchdog report
Iran has significantly expanded its stockpile of uranium enriched close to weapons-grade levels, according to a confidential report by the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), seen by the Associated Press. The IAEA also urged Tehran to urgently alter its course and cooperate with the agency's long-running investigation into its nuclear IAEA report, released Saturday, arrives at a diplomatically delicate moment. US President Donald Trump is reportedly seeking a deal with Tehran to rein in its nuclear program, but several rounds of negotiations between the two sides have so far failed to yield a to news agency AP, the Vienna-based IAEA reported that as of May 17, Iran had amassed 408.6 kilograms (900.8 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent. This marks an increase of 133.8 kilograms (294.9 pounds) — nearly per cent, since the agency's previous quarterly report in February. The AP notes that '60 per cent enriched material is a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent.'WHAT'S INSIDE THE REPORT The report emphasised that Iran is now 'the only non-nuclear-weapon state to produce such material,' which the agency described as a matter of 'serious concern.' The IAEA also pointed out that 'approximately 42 kilograms of 60 per cent enriched uranium is theoretically enough to produce one atomic bomb, if enriched further to 90 per cent.'Citing the IAEA from a confidential report, the BBC reported that Iran saw an alarming 50 per cent increase in uranium enriched to 60 per cent purity in the last three watchdog further estimated that Iran's total stockpile of enriched uranium, including lower enrichment levels, had reached 9,247.6 kilograms (20,387.4 pounds), reflecting an increase of 953.2 kilograms (2,101.4 pounds) since Iran continues to assert that its nuclear program is purely peaceful, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has warned that the stockpile is sufficient to produce 'several' nuclear bombs if Iran chooses to pushed back forcefully against the report. In a joint statement, Iran's Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran rejected the findings, accusing the agency of relying on 'unreliable and differing information sources' and said the report was 'biased, unprofessional and lacking crucial, updated information.''The Islamic Republic of Iran expresses its disappointment about the report, which was prepared by imposing pressure on the agency for political purposes, and expresses its obvious objection about its content,' the statement said. It also reiterated that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a religious decree prohibiting nuclear further criticized the IAEA for failing to acknowledge the impact of the US's unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018, a decision made by the Trump administration, which Tehran sees as the root cause of the current nuclear IAEA has also raised questions about past undeclared activities at three sites believed to be part of a structured nuclear weapons program Iran allegedly ran until the early 2000s. The agency said these sites may have involved the use of undeclared nuclear diplomatic efforts continue. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who is mediating talks between Washington and Tehran, was in Tehran over the weekend to deliver a new US proposal, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X. The fifth round of US-Iran talks, held in Rome last week, showed 'some but not conclusive progress,' according to inputs from Associated Press
Roya News
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Roya News
Netanyahu: Iran is totally determined to build nuclear weapons
The Israeli Occupation has issued a sharp warning over Iran's nuclear intentions following a new report from the United Nations' nuclear watchdog revealing an uptick in Iran's production of highly enriched uranium. In a statement released Saturday, "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the findings offer a 'clear warning sign' that Iran is moving closer to acquiring a nuclear weapon. 'Iran is totally determined to complete its nuclear weapons programme,' the statement read. 'Such a level of enrichment exists only in countries actively pursuing nuclear weapons and has no civilian justification whatsoever.'
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First Post
a day ago
- Politics
- First Post
Iran has amassed even more near weapons-grade uranium, UN watchdog says
Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weaponsgrade levels, a confidential report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog said Saturday and called on Tehran to urgently change course and comply with the agency's probe. read more Iran has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched close to weapons-grade levels, according to a confidential report from the United Nations' nuclear watchdog released Saturday. The report urges Tehran to reverse its course and comply with ongoing investigations by the agency. The findings come amid sensitive diplomatic efforts, as Iran and the United States have held multiple rounds of negotiations in pursuit of a potential nuclear agreement, which US President Donald Trump is actively trying to finalise. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The report, issued by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and obtained by The Associated Press, states that as of May 17, Iran has accumulated 408.6 kilograms (900.8 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60% purity — just a technical step away from the 90% threshold needed for weapons-grade material. This reflects a sharp increase of 133.8 kilograms (294.9 pounds) since the agency's previous report in February, which had recorded 274.8 kilograms (605.8 pounds). Washington, along with its European allies — Britain, France, and Germany (the E3) — referenced earlier IAEA board resolutions on Friday, urging Iran to take immediate actions such as clarifying the origin of uranium traces found at undeclared sites. The IAEA is preparing to distribute its quarterly reports on Iran to member states ahead of the next Board of Governors meeting set for June 9. One of those reports will offer a comprehensive assessment, including Iran's cooperation level in line with a November board resolution. Diplomats anticipate that the findings will be strongly critical. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has repeatedly warned that Iran remains the only non-nuclear weapons state enriching uranium to such high levels. On Saturday, he renewed his appeal for Tehran to fully and meaningfully engage with the agency. Meanwhile, Iranian officials on Thursday dismissed rumors of an imminent agreement with the U.S., insisting that any deal must result in the complete lifting of sanctions while preserving Iran's right to continue its nuclear activities. Their remarks came a day after President Trump revealed that he had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay any military action against Iran, citing ongoing diplomatic efforts. Trump expressed optimism on Friday, stating he still believes a nuclear agreement could be reached in the 'not too distant future.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'They don't want to be blown up. They would rather make a deal,' Trump said of Iran. He added, 'That would be a great thing that we could have a deal without bombs being dropped all over the Middle East.' Trump said he's warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from carrying out preemptive strikes on Iran's nuclear program, while the talks are playing out. With inputs from agencies
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Western powers to urge U.N. to declare Iran in breach of nuclear obligations
-- Western nations are planning to urge the United Nations' nuclear watchdog's board to declare Iran in violation of its non-proliferation commitments for the first time in nearly two decades, according to a Reuters report on Friday. This move is anticipated to further strain the ongoing dialogue between the U.S. and Iran regarding imposing new restrictions on Iran's advancing nuclear program. The U.S., along with its European allies Britain, France, and Germany, collectively known as the E3, have previously proposed resolutions that were adopted by the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) 35-member Board of Governors. These resolutions urged Iran to promptly address concerns such as explaining the traces of uranium found by the IAEA at undisclosed locations. The IAEA is set to distribute its quarterly reports on Iran to member states prior to its next board meeting, scheduled to commence on June 9. Among these reports will be a comprehensive account detailing issues including Iran's cooperation, as demanded by a board resolution in November. According to Bloomberg, this report is expected to contain critical findings. A European official has reportedly stated that they expect the comprehensive report to be rigorous, reinforcing existing concerns over Iran's non-compliance with its non-proliferation obligations. Following the release of this report, the U.S. plans to draft a resolution text declaring Iran in violation of its safeguards obligations. The resolution text will be discussed with the board member countries in the upcoming days before being formally submitted to the board by the four Western powers during the quarterly meeting, a practice consistent with previous resolutions, the report added. Related articles Western powers to urge U.N. to declare Iran in breach of nuclear obligations Senate to advance bill on new Russia sanctions next week - Lindsey Graham Trump says Russia and Ukraine to begin ceasefire talks after call with Putin
