Latest news with #nuclear program
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iran's Khamenei accuses West of using nuclear demands as an excuse for confrontation
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Fox News that Tehran cannot give up on its uranium enrichment program which was severely damaged during the Israel-Iran war last month. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday that Western demands over Tehran's nuclear program are an excuse to confront the Islamic Republic, a day after US President Donald Trump warned about renewed strikes if Iran restarts nuclear work. "Nuclear programme, enrichment, human rights are all excuses ... What they are after is your religion and knowledge," Khamenei said. Iran pushes to continue enriching uranium Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Fox News that Tehran cannot give up on its uranium enrichment program, which was severely damaged during the Israel-Iran war last month. "It is stopped because, yes, damages are serious and severe. But obviously we cannot give up (on) enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists. And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride," the foreign minister told the Fox News show "Special Report with Bret Baier" on Monday. The foreign minister said the damage to the nuclear facilities in Iran after US and Israeli strikes was serious and was being evaluated further. Araghchi also said Khamenei was in "good health" and that Tehran was open to talks with Washington but that those will not be direct "for the time being." Solve the daily Crossword
Arab News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
North Korea says Trump must accept new nuclear reality
SEOUL: North Korea said on Tuesday the United States must accept that reality has changed since the countries' summit meetings in the past, and no future dialogue would end its nuclear program, state media KCNA reported. Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un who is believed to speak for his brother, said she conceded that the personal relationship between Kim and US President Donald Trump 'is not bad.' But if Washington intended to use a personal relationship as a way to end the North's nuclear weapons program, the effort would only be the subject of 'mockery,' Kim Yo Jong said in a statement carried by KCNA. 'If the US fails to accept the changed reality and persists in the failed past, the DPRK-US meeting will remain as a 'hope' of the US side,' she said. DPRK is short for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. North Korea's capabilities as a nuclear weapons state and the geopolitical environment have radically changed since Kim and Trump held talks three times during the US president's first term, she said. 'Any attempt to deny the position of the DPRK as a nuclear weapons state ... will be thoroughly rejected,' she said. Trump has said he has a 'great relationship' with Kim, and the White House has said the president is receptive to the idea of communicating with the reclusive North Korean leader.
Al Arabiya
3 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Iran vows stronger response if attacked again by US, Israel
Iran 's foreign minister warned on Monday that it would respond to the United States and Israel in a 'more decisive manner' should they attack Iran again. The comments appeared to be in response to remarks by US President Donald Trump, who had threatened earlier in the day to 'wipe out' the Islamic Republic's nuclear program if it resumed atomic activities following a round of US strikes last month. 'If aggression is repeated, we will not hesitate to react in a more decisive manner and in a way that will be IMPOSSIBLE to cover up,' Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X. 'If there are concerns about the possible diversion of our nuclear program into non-peaceful purposes, the 'military option' proved incapable – but a negotiated solution may work,' he added. It remains unclear how much damage was caused by the US strikes on Tehran's nuclear facilities, which came after Israel launched a surprise bombing campaign that it said was aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining an atomic weapon. Israel's attacks had derailed US-Iran nuclear negotiations that began in April. Over the course of the 12-day war, Iran responded with missile attacks on Israeli cities, as well as one on a nearby US base in Qatar – a response Trump had previously shrugged off. During a visit to Scotland on Monday, Trump maintained the previous strikes on Iran 'wiped out their nuclear possibilities.' 'They can start again. If they do, we'll wipe it out faster than you can wave your finger at it,' he added. Before the war broke out, the United States and Iran were divided over uranium enrichment – with Tehran describing it as a 'non-negotiable' right, and Washington calling it a 'red line.' The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed country currently enriching uranium to 60 percent – a short step from the 90-percent enrichment required for a nuclear weapon. Tehran, which has consistently denied pursuing a bomb, has said it is open to discussing the rate and level of enrichment, but not the right to enrichment itself. In his post, Araghchi said: 'No one in their right mind would abandon the fruits of tremendous investment in homegrown and peaceful technology' just because of foreign bullying.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Defense Minister discusses potential for renewed campaign against Iran
Katz emphasized maintaining Israel's air superiority from Operation Rising Lion and called for an enforcement plan to prevent Iran's nuclear and missile program restoration. Defense Minister Israel Katz indicated on Tuesday evening that Israel may consider resuming its campaign against Iran, during a situation assessment held with senior military leaders. The meeting included key military figures such as Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai, and heads of the IDF Intelligence Directorate, as well as additional IDF commanders and representatives from the Mossad and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency). Katz stressed the importance of maintaining Israel's air superiority, which was achieved during Operation Rising Lion. He called for the development of an effective enforcement plan to prevent Iran from restoring its nuclear and missile programs. Additionally, Katz confirmed the IDF's stance consistent with the policy he previously outlined, stressing that the main goals of the current Israel-Hamas War are the return of all hostages and the defeat of Hamas. Regional security developments On regional security, Katz pointed out that two fronts remain open: Gaza and Yemen. He stressed that action must be taken to resolve these conflicts in alignment with Israel's aggressive offensive policy, which has been successful in confronting threats from Iran, Lebanon, and Syria. Katz further discussed the ongoing deployment of IDF soldiers, particularly at critical control points and security zones in Syria and Lebanon. He highlighted that Israel's presence in these areas is essential for protecting Israeli communities. He also stressed that the IDF must prepare for any potential future security challenges. IDF operations in the West Bank Regarding the West Bank, Katz praised the IDF's offensive operations in the northern Samaria refugee camps, which he described as successful. He instructed the IDF to maintain its presence in these camps and be prepared for further forceful action if needed, especially in response to potential new terrorist strongholds. Katz's warning to Iran In early July, at an IAF pilot graduation ceremony, Katz issued a direct warning to Iran. He stated that the graduates represent the long arm of the IDF, capable of striking anywhere in Iran—from Tehran to Isfahan to Tabriz, The Jerusalem Post previously reported. Katz described the graduates as 'a direct message to the dictator [Iranian Supreme Leader Ali] Khamenei and to the ayatollahs in Iran about the destructive power of the air force should Iran test the Jewish state's patience,' he said. 'There is no place where Iranian officials who harm Israel can hide,' he concluded. Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report. Solve the daily Crossword
Fox News
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Iran doubles down on refusal to end nuclear program, ready for war with Israel
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday doubled down on Tehran's refusal to abandon its nuclear program and said Iran is "fully prepared" for a renewed fight with Israel. The Iranian president's comments came just two days after Tehran's foreign minister confirmed to Fox News that Iran will not give up its enrichment program, but continues to claim Tehran is not interested in developing a nuclear weapon. "[US President Donald] Trump says that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon and we accept this because we reject nuclear weapons and this is our political, religious, humanitarian and strategic position," Pezeshkian said in an interview with Al Jazeera. "We believe in diplomacy, so any future negotiations must be according to a win-win logic, and we will not accept threats and dictates," he added. Pezeshkian also said Trump's repeated claims that the U.S. "obliterated" Iran's nuclear program is "just an illusion." "Our nuclear capabilities are in the minds of our scientists and not in the facilities," he said. The U.S. strikes – which came just days after Israel targeted top military figures and nuclear scientists – are believed to have set back Iran's nuclear program by up to two years. But security experts have told Fox News Digital that Iran continues to possess significant military strike capabilities, and questions remain over whether Iran was able to successfully move any enriched uranium off site prior to Washington's strikes. Pezeshkian acknowledged the blow that Israel levied against its top officials, but said it "completely failed" to "eliminate" the hierarchy of Iran's nuclear program. He further warned that Iran is ready to take on Jerusalem should another conflict break out. "We are fully prepared for any new Israeli military move, and our armed forces are ready to strike deep inside Israel again," Pezeshkian said. Iran and Israel are still operating under a ceasefire brokered by the U.S. and Qatar following last month's 12-Day War, but the Iranian president said he is not confident this truce will hold. "We are not very optimistic about it," Pezeshkian said. "That is why we have prepared ourselves for any possible scenario and any potential response. Israel has harmed us, and we have also harmed it," he added. "It has dealt us powerful blows, and we have struck it hard in its depths, but it is concealing its losses." Delegations from France, Germany and the U.K. (E3) are set to travel to Tehran on Friday to discuss nuclear negotiations. The E3 visit will come just three days after officials from Russia and China, who are also signatories of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPAO), visited on Tuesday to discuss negotiations and how Iran can avoid sanctions, though details of the talks remain unknown. Iran began initiating international talks after the E3 last week threatened to employ snapback sanctions – which would see the entire 15-member U.N. Security Council enforce strict economic ramifications – should Iran not enter into a nuclear agreement by the end of August. The timeframe is consistent with the time needed for the JCPOA signatories to recall snapback sanctions prior to the Oct. 18 expiration date when the economic tool can no longer be employed en masse per the 2015 terms of the agreement.
