Latest news with #nucleardeal
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bolton says US-Iran nuclear talks are ‘fruitless'
Former national security adviser John Bolton argued during a recent interview that nuclear deal negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are 'fruitless' and Israel's potential strikes against Tehran's nuclear facilities are entirely 'warranted.' 'I think we're really at a very important point here, whether, whether Trump is going to try and continue these negotiations, which I think are going to be completely fruitless, or whether Israel is going to do what it has to do to protect its very existence,' Bolton said Friday evening in an appearance on NewsNation's 'On Balance.' The U.S. and Iran's officials have sat down for five rounds of talks regarding Iran's expanding nuclear program, with the most recent meeting taking place in Rome last week. There, both sides indicated that they are moving closer to forging a new deal. President Trump withdrew from the Obama-negotiated deal with Iran in 2018, during his first White House term, and imposed sanctions on Tehran. Trump has warned Iran that if ongoing diplomatic talks go sideways, military action could take place. The president earlier Friday signaled that the two countries are 'fairly close' to reaching a new agreement. 'I think we have a chance of making a deal with Iran,' Trump told journalists at the White House. 'They don't want to be blown up,' he added. 'They would rather make a deal, and I think that could happen in the not-too-distant future.' Israel has reportedly been preparing to strike Iran's nuclear facilities if U.S.-led talks go nowhere. Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from striking Tehran as it could jeopardize ongoing discussions. 'It's not a warning. I said, 'I don't think it's appropriate.' I just said I don't think it's appropriate,' Trump said. 'We're having very good discussions with them, and I don't think it's appropriate right now.' Bolton, a defense hawk and a frequent critic of the president's approach to foreign policy, said the 'actual opinion in Israel is overwhelmingly in favor of taking military action against Iran's facilities.' An Israeli Democracy Institute poll, released in late April, found that 45 percent of Israelis are in favor of striking Iran, while 41.5 percent are against it. Just over half of the respondents, 52 percent, of Jewish Israelis are in favor of strikes, while 34.5 percent oppose them. Among Arab Israelis, a large majority, 76 percent, are against military strikes, while only nine percent said the opposite, according to the survey. 'I think a preventive attack is entirely warranted. The US should support it. In fact, if asked, or if asked, we should help them and in fact we should volunteer to help them,' Bolton told host Leland Vittert on Friday. 'It's unfair to say that the Iran nuclear program is only Israel's problem, let's face it, it's our problem, too,' he added. Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman also warned Iranian officials during a closed-door meeting on April 17 that Tehran should take up Trump's opportunity to negotiate a deal or the Islamic republic would risk military strikes from Israel, Reuters reported on Friday, citing two Gulf sources and two Iranian officials. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Al Arabiya
4 hours ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Iran minister says Oman presented elements of a US proposal for nuclear deal
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said his Omani counterpart presented elements of a US proposal for a nuclear deal between Tehran and Washington during a short visit to Tehran on Saturday. Araghchi said in a post on X that Iran 'will respond to the US proposal in line with the principles, national interests and rights of people of Iran.' His statement came ahead of an anticipated sixth round of talks between Washington and Tehran to resolve a decades-long dispute over Iran's nuclear program. The date and venue of talks have not been yet announced. Iran's foreign ministry on Saturday also accused Israel of providing 'unreliable and misleading information' to the United Nations nuclear watchdog to be used in its new report on Tehran's nuclear program. 'Relying on unreliable and misleading information sources provided by the Israeli regime ... is contrary to the IAEA's principles of professional verification,' the ministry said in a statement.
CNN
8 hours ago
- Business
- CNN
Iran has amassed even more near weapons-grade uranium, UN watchdog says
Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, a confidential report by the UN nuclear watchdog said Saturday and called on Tehran to urgently change course and comply with the agency's probe. The report comes at a sensitive time as Tehran and Washington have been holding several rounds of talks in the past weeks over a possible nuclear deal that US President Donald Trump is trying to reach. The report by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency — which was seen by The Associated Press — says that as of May 17, Iran has amassed 408.6 kilograms (900.8 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60%. That's an increase of 133.8 kilograms (294.9 pounds) — or almost 50% — since the IAEA's last report in February. The 60% enriched material is a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. A report in February put this stockpile level at 274.8 kilograms (605.8 pounds). There was no immediate comment from Tehran on the new IAEA report. The IAEA report raised a stern warning, saying that Iran is now 'the only non-nuclear-weapon state to produce such material' — something the agency said was of 'serious concern.' Approximately 42 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium is theoretically enough to produce one atomic bomb, if enriched further to 90%, according to the watchdog. The IAEA report, a quarterly, also estimated that as of May 17, Iran's overall stockpile of enriched uranium — which includes uranium enriched to lower levels — stood at 9,247.6 kilograms (20,387.4 pounds). That's an increase of 953.2 kilograms (2,101.4 pounds) since February's report. Iran has maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, but the IAEA chief, Rafael Mariano Grossi, has warned that Tehran has enough uranium enriched to near-weapons-grade levels to make 'several' nuclear bombs if it chose to do so. Iranian officials have increasingly suggested that Tehran could pursue an atomic bomb. US intelligence agencies assess that Iran has yet to begin a weapons program, but has 'undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so.' Israel said Saturday's report was a clear warning sign that 'Iran is totally determined to complete its nuclear weapons program,' according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. It said IAEA's report 'strongly reinforces what Israel has been saying for years — the purpose of Iran's nuclear program is not peaceful.' It also added that Iran's level of enrichment 'has no civilian justification whatsoever' and appealed on the international community to 'act now to stop Iran.' Grossi said Saturday that he 'reiterates his urgent call upon Iran to cooperate fully and effectively' with the IAEA's years long investigation into uranium traces discovered at several sites in Iran. The IAEA also circulated to member states on Saturday a second, 22-page confidential report, also seen by the AP, that Grossi requested following a resolution passed by the 35-member IAEA Board of Governors last November. In this so-called 'comprehensive report,' the IAEA said that Iran's cooperation with the agency has 'been less than satisfactory' when it comes to uranium traces discovered by IAEA inspectors at several locations in Iran that Tehran has failed to declare as nuclear sites. Western officials suspect that the uranium traces discovered by the IAEA could provide evidence that Iran had a secret military nuclear program until 2003. One of the sites became known publicly in 2018 after Netanyahu revealed it at the United Nations and called it a clandestine nuclear warehouse hidden at a rug-cleaning plant. Iran denied this but in 2019 IAEA inspectors detected the presence of manmade uranium particles there. After initially blocking IAEA access, inspectors were able to collect samples in 2020 from two other locations where they also detected the presence of manmade uranium particles. The three locations became known as Turquzabad, Varamin, and Marivan. A fourth undeclared location named as Lavisan-Shian is also part of the IAEA probe but IAEA inspectors never visited the site because it was razed and demolished by Iran after 2003. In Saturday's comprehensive report, the IAEA says that the 'lack of answers and clarifications provided by Iran' to questions the watchdog had regarding Lavisan-Shian, Varamin and Marivan 'has led the agency to conclude that these three locations, and other possible related locations, were part of an undeclared structured nuclear program carried out by Iran until the early 2000s and that some activities used undeclared nuclear material.' Saturday's comprehensive report could be a basis for possible further steps by European nations, leading to a potential escalation in tensions between Iran and the West. European countries could move to trigger snap-back sanctions against Iran that were lifted under the original 2015 nuclear deal ahead of October, when the deal formally expires. On Thursday, senior Iranian officials dismissed speculation about an imminent nuclear deal with the United States, emphasizing that any agreement must fully lift sanctions and allow the country's nuclear program to continue. The comments came a day after Trump said he has told Netanyahu to hold off on striking Iran to give the US administration more time to push for a new deal with Tehran. Trump said on Friday that he still thinks a deal could be completed in the 'not too distant future.' '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.'
CNN
8 hours ago
- Business
- CNN
Iran has amassed even more near weapons-grade uranium, UN watchdog says
Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, a confidential report by the UN nuclear watchdog said Saturday and called on Tehran to urgently change course and comply with the agency's probe. The report comes at a sensitive time as Tehran and Washington have been holding several rounds of talks in the past weeks over a possible nuclear deal that US President Donald Trump is trying to reach. The report by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency — which was seen by The Associated Press — says that as of May 17, Iran has amassed 408.6 kilograms (900.8 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60%. That's an increase of 133.8 kilograms (294.9 pounds) — or almost 50% — since the IAEA's last report in February. The 60% enriched material is a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. A report in February put this stockpile level at 274.8 kilograms (605.8 pounds). There was no immediate comment from Tehran on the new IAEA report. The IAEA report raised a stern warning, saying that Iran is now 'the only non-nuclear-weapon state to produce such material' — something the agency said was of 'serious concern.' Approximately 42 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium is theoretically enough to produce one atomic bomb, if enriched further to 90%, according to the watchdog. The IAEA report, a quarterly, also estimated that as of May 17, Iran's overall stockpile of enriched uranium — which includes uranium enriched to lower levels — stood at 9,247.6 kilograms (20,387.4 pounds). That's an increase of 953.2 kilograms (2,101.4 pounds) since February's report. Iran has maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, but the IAEA chief, Rafael Mariano Grossi, has warned that Tehran has enough uranium enriched to near-weapons-grade levels to make 'several' nuclear bombs if it chose to do so. Iranian officials have increasingly suggested that Tehran could pursue an atomic bomb. US intelligence agencies assess that Iran has yet to begin a weapons program, but has 'undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so.' Israel said Saturday's report was a clear warning sign that 'Iran is totally determined to complete its nuclear weapons program,' according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. It said IAEA's report 'strongly reinforces what Israel has been saying for years — the purpose of Iran's nuclear program is not peaceful.' It also added that Iran's level of enrichment 'has no civilian justification whatsoever' and appealed on the international community to 'act now to stop Iran.' Grossi said Saturday that he 'reiterates his urgent call upon Iran to cooperate fully and effectively' with the IAEA's years long investigation into uranium traces discovered at several sites in Iran. The IAEA also circulated to member states on Saturday a second, 22-page confidential report, also seen by the AP, that Grossi requested following a resolution passed by the 35-member IAEA Board of Governors last November. In this so-called 'comprehensive report,' the IAEA said that Iran's cooperation with the agency has 'been less than satisfactory' when it comes to uranium traces discovered by IAEA inspectors at several locations in Iran that Tehran has failed to declare as nuclear sites. Western officials suspect that the uranium traces discovered by the IAEA could provide evidence that Iran had a secret military nuclear program until 2003. One of the sites became known publicly in 2018 after Netanyahu revealed it at the United Nations and called it a clandestine nuclear warehouse hidden at a rug-cleaning plant. Iran denied this but in 2019 IAEA inspectors detected the presence of manmade uranium particles there. After initially blocking IAEA access, inspectors were able to collect samples in 2020 from two other locations where they also detected the presence of manmade uranium particles. The three locations became known as Turquzabad, Varamin, and Marivan. A fourth undeclared location named as Lavisan-Shian is also part of the IAEA probe but IAEA inspectors never visited the site because it was razed and demolished by Iran after 2003. In Saturday's comprehensive report, the IAEA says that the 'lack of answers and clarifications provided by Iran' to questions the watchdog had regarding Lavisan-Shian, Varamin and Marivan 'has led the agency to conclude that these three locations, and other possible related locations, were part of an undeclared structured nuclear program carried out by Iran until the early 2000s and that some activities used undeclared nuclear material.' Saturday's comprehensive report could be a basis for possible further steps by European nations, leading to a potential escalation in tensions between Iran and the West. European countries could move to trigger snap-back sanctions against Iran that were lifted under the original 2015 nuclear deal ahead of October, when the deal formally expires. On Thursday, senior Iranian officials dismissed speculation about an imminent nuclear deal with the United States, emphasizing that any agreement must fully lift sanctions and allow the country's nuclear program to continue. The comments came a day after Trump said he has told Netanyahu to hold off on striking Iran to give the US administration more time to push for a new deal with Tehran. Trump said on Friday that he still thinks a deal could be completed in the 'not too distant future.' '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.'
CBC
8 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
Iran has amassed even more near weapons-grade uranium, UN watchdog says
Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, a confidential report by the UN nuclear watchdog said Saturday, and called on Tehran to urgently change course and comply with the agency's probe. The news comes at a sensitive time as Tehran and Washington have been holding several rounds of talks in recent weeks over a possible nuclear deal that U.S. President Donald Trump is trying to reach. The report by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) — which was seen by The Associated Press — says that as of May 17, Iran has amassed 408.6 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent. That's an increase of 133.8 kilograms — or almost 50 per cent — since the IAEA's last report in February. The 60 per cent enriched material is a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent. A report in February put this stockpile level at 274.8 kilograms. There was no immediate comment from Tehran on the new IAEA report. What does the report say? The IAEA report raised a stern warning, saying Iran is now "the only non-nuclear-weapon state to produce such material" — something the agency said was of "serious concern." Approximately 42 kilograms of 60 per cent enriched uranium is theoretically enough to produce one atomic bomb, if enriched further to 90 per cent, according to the watchdog. The IAEA report, a quarterly, also estimated that as of May 17, Iran's overall stockpile of enriched uranium — which includes uranium enriched to lower levels — stood at 9,247.6 kilograms. That's an increase of 953.2 kilograms since February's report. Iran has maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, but the IAEA chief, Rafael Mariano Grossi, has warned Tehran has enough uranium enriched to near-weapons-grade levels to make "several" nuclear bombs if it chose to do so. Iranian officials have increasingly suggested that Tehran could pursue an atomic bomb. U.S. intelligence agencies assess that Iran has yet to begin a weapons program, but has "undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so." Israel's swift reaction Israel said Saturday's report was a clear warning sign "Iran is totally determined to complete its nuclear weapons program," according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. It said IAEA's report "strongly reinforces what Israel has been saying for years — the purpose of Iran's nuclear program is not peaceful." It also added Iran's level of enrichment "has no civilian justification whatsoever" and appealed on the international community to "act now to stop Iran." Call for co-operation Grossi said Saturday he "reiterates his urgent call upon Iran to co-operate fully and effectively" with the IAEA's years-long investigation into uranium traces discovered at several sites in Iran. The IAEA also circulated to member states on Saturday a second, 22-page confidential report, also seen by the AP, that Grossi requested following a resolution passed by the 35-member IAEA board of governors last November. In this "comprehensive report," the IAEA said Iran's co-operation with the agency has "been less than satisfactory" when it comes to uranium traces discovered by IAEA inspectors at several locations in Iran that Tehran has failed to declare as nuclear sites. WATCH | Iran open to talks to restore relations with Ottawa: Iran's foreign ministry says it is 'ready for talks' to restore Canada-Iran relations 10 days ago Duration 0:28 CBC News senior international correspondent Margaret Evans asks Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei about Tehran's interest in restoring diplomatic relations with Ottawa, broken off since 2012. Western officials suspect the uranium traces discovered by the IAEA could provide evidence Iran had a secret military nuclear program until 2003. One of the sites became known publicly in 2018 after Netanyahu revealed it at the United Nations and called it a clandestine nuclear warehouse hidden at a rug-cleaning plant. Iran denied this, but in 2019, IAEA inspectors detected the presence of manmade uranium particles there. What is the IAEA inspecting in Iran? After initially blocking IAEA access, inspectors were able to collect samples in 2020 from two other locations where they also detected the presence of manmade uranium particles. The three locations became known as Turquzabad, Varamin and Marivan. A fourth undeclared location named as Lavisan-Shian is also part of the IAEA probe, but IAEA inspectors never visited the site because it was razed and demolished by Iran after 2003. In Saturday's comprehensive report, the IAEA says the "lack of answers and clarifications provided by Iran" to questions the watchdog had regarding Lavisan-Shian, Varamin and Marivan "has led the agency to conclude that these three locations, and other possible related locations, were part of an undeclared structured nuclear program carried out by Iran until the early 2000s and some activities used undeclared nuclear material." What's next? Saturday's report could be a basis for possible further steps by European nations, leading to a potential escalation in tensions between Iran and the West. European countries could move to trigger snap-back sanctions against Iran that were lifted under the original 2015 nuclear deal ahead of October, when the deal formally expires. On Thursday, senior Iranian officials dismissed speculation about an imminent nuclear deal with the United States, emphasizing any agreement must fully lift sanctions and allow the country's nuclear program to continue. Trump said on Friday he still thinks a deal could be completed in the "not-too-distant future."
