Latest news with #negotiations
New York Times
an hour ago
- General
- New York Times
Iran Has Ramped Up Uranium Enrichment While Continuing Nuclear Talks
Iran has roughly doubled its stockpile of near-bomb-grade uranium over the past three months even while negotiating with the Trump administration over a deal to limit its nuclear program, according to a confidential report that the United Nations' nuclear inspection agency has begun circulating to capitals around the world. The increase gives Tehran the capability to produce bomb-grade fuel for roughly 10 weapons, up from around five or six when President Trump was inaugurated in January. But the surge also puts new pressure on Washington in its negotiations, in which it is demanding that Iran cease all production of nuclear material. Mr. Trump predicted last weekend that there could be an agreement with Iran within days. That did not happen, but on Friday he expressed optimism that it would come soon. A pair of reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency, obtained by The New York Times, portray an Iranian regime that has decided to surge ahead with its production, presumably to gain leverage in negotiations headed by Steve Witkoff, Mr. Trump's envoy for the Middle East. He began negotiations with Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, in early April. The director general of the I.A.E.A., Rafael M. Grossi, said the report indicated that 'we need to get to a diplomatic resolution, under a very robust I.A.E.A. inspection system.' In recent years, Iran has disabled many of the agency's cameras and sensors at key sites, but has allowed inspectors to come into the country and measure its growing stockpiles of enriched uranium. In one of the reports — a quarterly assessment of Iran's nuclear production and stockpiles — Mr. Grossi wrote that 'the significantly increased production and accumulation of highly enriched uranium by Iran, the only non-nuclear-weapon state to produce such nuclear material, is of serious concern.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Opposition urges government to pause Churchill Falls negotiations ahead of first ministers' meeting
The leader of Newfoundland and Labrador's Official Opposition wants the province to put the brakes on Churchill Falls negotiations. PC Leader Tony Wakeham says the world has changed since the memorandum of understanding was first introduced in December, and he wants the governing Liberals to focus on developing a potential "national energy corridor" that has come up in recent months. "We need to slow down and take an opportunity to evaluate what that might look like," Wakeham told CBC News on Tuesday. Before the federal election, Prime Minster Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre both pledged to create an energy corridor. While it's uncertain what that could look like, a post on the federal Liberal party's website says that Carney intends to fast-track "projects of national interest." The prime minister will meet with leaders from each province and territory, at a first ministers' meeting on Monday in Saskatoon. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Premier John Hogan said he feels that the meeting will be a good opportunity to discuss the province's priorities. "[Carney is] focused on nation building projects," said Hogan. "And those are the discussions that we're going to be having; about what that means, what the projects will be and what sort of assistance the federal government is looking at providing to the provinces to help develop those national building projects." At the same time, Hogan says he's committed to moving forward with the Churchill Falls deal while exploring "additional opportunities" with the federal government, according to a statement from the premier's office sent on Tuesday. The new Churchill Falls deal, which Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec hope to finalize by next year, would bring an average of $1 billion to the province's coffers each year until 2041. Four combined projects outlined in the deal could generate 5,000 direct jobs. Wakeham insists Newfoundland and Labrador is rushing that deal. Meanwhile, NDP Leader Jim Dinn says any pause would "spell the end" for Labrador West. Dinn was a staunch advocate for independent oversight and still questions some parts of the proposed deal, but still doesn't want to see it put on hold. "It's actually injected a sense of hope and prosperity," he told reporters this week. "Why would you basically sound the death knell, then, to Labrador West by saying 'let's pause it' and 'let's wait and see what happens. The damage is going to be done." Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Click here to visit our landing page.
CBC
2 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
Opposition urges government to pause Churchill Falls negotiations ahead of first ministers' meeting
The leader of Newfoundland and Labrador's Official Opposition wants the province to put the brakes on Churchill Falls negotiations. PC Leader Tony Wakeham says the world has changed since the memorandum of understanding was first introduced in December, and he wants the governing Liberals to focus on developing a potential "national energy corridor" that has come up in recent months. "We need to slow down and take an opportunity to evaluate what that might look like," Wakeham told CBC News on Tuesday. Before the federal election, Prime Minster Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre both pledged to create an energy corridor. While it's uncertain what that could look like, a post on the federal Liberal party's website says that Carney intends to fast-track "projects of national interest." The prime minister will meet with leaders from each province and territory, at a first ministers' meeting on Monday in Saskatoon. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Premier John Hogan said he feels that the meeting will be a good opportunity to discuss the province's priorities. "[Carney is] focused on nation building projects," said Hogan. "And those are the discussions that we're going to be having; about what that means, what the projects will be and what sort of assistance the federal government is looking at providing to the provinces to help develop those national building projects." At the same time, Hogan says he's committed to moving forward with the Churchill Falls deal while exploring "additional opportunities" with the federal government, according to a statement from the premier's office sent on Tuesday. The new Churchill Falls deal, which Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec hope to finalize by next year, would bring an average of $1 billion to the province's coffers each year until 2041. Four combined projects outlined in the deal could generate 5,000 direct jobs. Wakeham insists Newfoundland and Labrador is rushing that deal. Meanwhile, NDP Leader Jim Dinn says any pause would "spell the end" for Labrador West. Dinn was a staunch advocate for independent oversight and still questions some parts of the proposed deal, but still doesn't want to see it put on hold. "It's actually injected a sense of hope and prosperity," he told reporters this week. "Why would you basically sound the death knell, then, to Labrador West by saying 'let's pause it' and 'let's wait and see what happens. The damage is going to be done."
Malay Mail
6 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Iran reiterates nuclear weapons ‘unacceptable' as US talks continue
TEHRAN, May 31 — Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said today that Iran considers nuclear weapons 'unacceptable,' reaffirming the country's longstanding position amid delicate negotiations with the United States. TEHRAN, May 31 — Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday that Iran considers nuclear weapons 'unacceptable,' reaffirming the country's longstanding position amid delicate negotiations with the United States. Western governments have long suspected Iran of seeking to develop a nuclear weapons capability to counter the widely suspected but undeclared arsenal of its arch-foe, Israel. 'If the issue is nuclear weapons, yes, we too consider this type of weapon unacceptable,' Araghchi, Iran's lead negotiator in the talks, said in a televised speech. 'We agree with them on this issue.' Araghchi's remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump said Iran 'cannot have a nuclear weapon', while expressing hope of striking a deal soon. On Thursday, Araghchi hit out at what he called 'media speculation' that the two sides were close to an agreement, saying he was 'not sure if' a deal is 'imminent'. Iran has held five rounds of talks with the United States in search of a new agreement to replace the deal with major powers that Trump abandoned during his first term in 2018. No date or venue has yet been announced for the next round but Araghchi said Wednesday he expected an announcement from mediator Oman in the 'next few days'. The two governments are at odds over Iran's uranium enrichment programme, which Washington has said must cease, but which Tehran insists is its right under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Very good talks Nonetheless, Trump said Wednesday that 'we're having some very good talks with Iran', adding that he had warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against striking its nuclear facilities as it would not be 'appropriate right now'. Israel has repeatedly threatened military action, after pummelling Iranian air defences during two exchanges of fire last year. Trump has not ruled out military action but said he wants space to make a deal first, and has also said that Israel, and not the United States, would take the lead in any such strikes. Trump adopted a 'maximum pressure' policy against Tehran after abandoning the 2015 agreement and reimposed the sweeping sanctions which the deal had lifted in return for UN-monitored restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities. Iran continued to honour the agreement for a year, but then began rolling back its own compliance with its terms. Iran has since built up the largest stockpile of highly enriched uranium of any state without a nuclear arsenal. The uranium is enriched to 60 percent, still short of the 90 percent threshold needed for a nuclear warhead but far beyond the 3.67 percent limit set by the 2015 agreement. In recent days, Tehran has said that if a deal is reached, it may consider allowing US inspectors to join the teams from the UN nuclear watchdog monitoring compliance with its terms. Nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami said Iran 'will reconsider accepting American inspectors through the (International Atomic Energy) Agency' if 'an agreement is reached and Iran's demands are taken into account'. — AFP TEHRAN, May 31 — Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday that Iran considers nuclear weapons 'unacceptable,' reaffirming the country's longstanding position amid delicate negotiations with the United States. Western governments have long suspected Iran of seeking to develop a nuclear weapons capability to counter the widely suspected but undeclared arsenal of its arch-foe, Israel. 'If the issue is nuclear weapons, yes, we too consider this type of weapon unacceptable,' Araghchi, Iran's lead negotiator in the talks, said in a televised speech. 'We agree with them on this issue.' Araghchi's remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump said Iran 'cannot have a nuclear weapon', while expressing hope of striking a deal soon. On Thursday, Araghchi hit out at what he called 'media speculation' that the two sides were close to an agreement, saying he was 'not sure if' a deal is 'imminent'. Iran has held five rounds of talks with the United States in search of a new agreement to replace the deal with major powers that Trump abandoned during his first term in 2018. No date or venue has yet been announced for the next round but Araghchi said Wednesday he expected an announcement from mediator Oman in the 'next few days'. The two governments are at odds over Iran's uranium enrichment programme, which Washington has said must cease, but which Tehran insists is its right under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Very good talks Nonetheless, Trump said Wednesday that 'we're having some very good talks with Iran', adding that he had warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against striking its nuclear facilities as it would not be 'appropriate right now'. Israel has repeatedly threatened military action, after pummelling Iranian air defences during two exchanges of fire last year. Trump has not ruled out military action but said he wants space to make a deal first, and has also said that Israel, and not the United States, would take the lead in any such strikes. Trump adopted a 'maximum pressure' policy against Tehran after abandoning the 2015 agreement and reimposed the sweeping sanctions which the deal had lifted in return for UN-monitored restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities. Iran continued to honour the agreement for a year, but then began rolling back its own compliance with its terms. Iran has since built up the largest stockpile of highly enriched uranium of any state without a nuclear arsenal. The uranium is enriched to 60 percent, still short of the 90 percent threshold needed for a nuclear warhead but far beyond the 3.67 percent limit set by the 2015 agreement. In recent days, Tehran has said that if a deal is reached, it may consider allowing US inspectors to join the teams from the UN nuclear watchdog monitoring compliance with its terms. Nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami said Iran 'will reconsider accepting American inspectors through the (International Atomic Energy) Agency' if 'an agreement is reached and Iran's demands are taken into account'. — AFP Western governments have long suspected Iran of seeking to develop a nuclear weapons capability to counter the widely suspected but undeclared arsenal of its arch-foe, Israel. 'If the issue is nuclear weapons, yes, we too consider this type of weapon unacceptable,' Araghchi, Iran's lead negotiator in the talks, said in a televised speech. 'We agree with them on this issue.' Araghchi's remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump said Iran 'cannot have a nuclear weapon', while expressing hope of striking a deal soon. On Thursday, Araghchi hit out at what he called 'media speculation' that the two sides were close to an agreement, saying he was 'not sure if' a deal is 'imminent'. Iran has held five rounds of talks with the United States in search of a new agreement to replace the deal with major powers that Trump abandoned during his first term in 2018. No date or venue has yet been announced for the next round but Araghchi said Wednesday he expected an announcement from mediator Oman in the 'next few days'. The two governments are at odds over Iran's uranium enrichment programme, which Washington has said must cease, but which Tehran insists is its right under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Very good talks Nonetheless, Trump said Wednesday that 'we're having some very good talks with Iran', adding that he had warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against striking its nuclear facilities as it would not be 'appropriate right now'. Israel has repeatedly threatened military action, after pummelling Iranian air defences during two exchanges of fire last year. Trump has not ruled out military action but said he wants space to make a deal first, and has also said that Israel, and not the United States, would take the lead in any such strikes. Trump adopted a 'maximum pressure' policy against Tehran after abandoning the 2015 agreement and reimposed the sweeping sanctions which the deal had lifted in return for UN-monitored restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities. Iran continued to honour the agreement for a year, but then began rolling back its own compliance with its terms. Iran has since built up the largest stockpile of highly enriched uranium of any state without a nuclear arsenal. The uranium is enriched to 60 percent, still short of the 90 percent threshold needed for a nuclear warhead but far beyond the 3.67 percent limit set by the 2015 agreement. In recent days, Tehran has said that if a deal is reached, it may consider allowing US inspectors to join the teams from the UN nuclear watchdog monitoring compliance with its terms. Nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami said Iran 'will reconsider accepting American inspectors through the (International Atomic Energy) Agency' if 'an agreement is reached and Iran's demands are taken into account'. — AFP
Arab News
7 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
Iran considers nuclear weapons ‘unacceptable', FM says
TEHRAN: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday that Iran considers nuclear weapons 'unacceptable,' reiterating the country's longstanding position amid delicate negotiations with the United States. Western governments have long suspected Iran of seeking to develop a nuclear weapons capability to counter widely suspected but undeclared arsenal of its arch-foe Israel. 'If the issue is nuclear weapons, yes, we too consider this type of weapon unacceptable,' Araghchi, Iran's lead negotiator in the talks, said in a televised speech. 'We agree with them on this issue.' Iran has held five rounds of talks with the United States in search of a new nuclear agreement to replace the deal with major powers President Donald Trump abandoned during his first term in 2018. The two governments are at odds over Iran's uranium enrichment program, which Washington has said must cease but which Tehran insists is its right under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Nonetheless, Trump said Wednesday that 'we're having some very good talks with Iran,' adding that he had warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against striking its nuclear facilities as it would not be 'appropriate right now.' Israel has repeatedly threatened military action, after pummelling Iranian air defenses during two exchanges of fire last year. Trump has not ruled out military action but said he wants space to make a deal first, and has also said that Israel, and not the United States, would take the lead in any such strikes.
