Latest news with #nucleartalks
The National
27-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Syria plans to reshape economy, and Jerusalem Day sparks Israeli violence
Syria is about to overhaul its financial system. Palestinian residents, activists and journalists were the targets of attacks by extremist Israelis in Jerusalem yesterday. Nuclear talks between the US and Iran appear to have reached a stalemate, but are expected to continue. On today's episode of Trending Middle East: Golden window: Syria to overhaul financial system after sanctions relief, says central bank chief Palestinians brace for show of Israeli ultranationalism on Jerusalem Day Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir breaches Al Aqsa Mosque compound on 'Jerusalem Day' Iran 'won't die of hunger' if US nuclear talks fail, President says This episode features Thomas Helm, Jerusalem Correspondent; Mohamad Ali Harisi, Foreign Editor; and Hadya AlAlawi, Assistant Foreign Editor.
CNA
22-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Oil prices little changed as surprise US inventory builds cap gains
TOKYO :Oil prices were little changed on Thursday as investors stayed cautious, focusing on renewed Iran-U.S. nuclear talks, though unexpected builds in U.S. crude and fuel inventories raised concerns about demand from the world's largest oil consumer. Brent futures inched up 4 cents to $64.95 a barrel by 0456 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 10 cents to $61.67. Both benchmarks fell earlier in the session after U.S. crude and fuel inventories posted surprise stock builds last week, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday, as crude imports hit a six-week high and gasoline and distillate demand slipped. Crude inventories rose by 1.3 million barrels to 443.2 million barrels in the week ended May 16, the EIA said. Analysts in a Reuters poll had expected a 1.3 million-barrel drawdown. "The EIA's reported surprise stock builds will have a downward pressure particularly on WTI," said Emril Jamil, a senior analyst at LSEG Oil Research. He added this could further incentivise more U.S. exports to Europe and Asia. Hiroyuki Kikukawa, chief strategist of Nissan Securities Investment, a unit of Nissan Securities, said: "While rising U.S. inventories have raised concerns, some investors expect the summer driving season starting after Memorial Day weekend to draw down stocks, limiting further downside." Both benchmarks lost 0.7 per cent on Wednesday after Oman's foreign minister said the fifth round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States will take place on Friday in Rome. Prices had jumped earlier on Wednesday following a CNN report that U.S. intelligence suggests Israel is preparing to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, although it was not clear whether Israeli leaders have made a final decision. Iran is the third-largest producer among members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and an Israeli attack could upset supply from the country. "Traders remain cautious, avoiding large positions as they assess conflicting signals over U.S.-Iran nuclear talks and a media report of potential Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities," said Kikukawa. Priyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at Phillip Nova, said: "Additionally, Ukraine suggested that it would seek harsher sanctions on Russia from the EU, which could further disrupt the flow of Russian oil barrels to global markets."
LBCI
14-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Saudi FM says says US-Gulf consensus aims to end Gaza war, boost regional stability
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan said that defense cooperation between Washington and Riyadh will help support the kingdom amid rising regional tensions. Speaking after the U.S.-Gulf summit, he said the United States and Saudi Arabia had agreed on the need to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of all hostages. He added that Riyadh fully supports the nuclear talks between Washington and Iran and hopes for positive results. Bin Farhan also stated that 'the Syrian people deserve a chance at a better future' and expressed hope that the European Union would lift its sanctions on Syria.
Asharq Al-Awsat
14-05-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Iran: We Will Not Retreat from Our Principles in Nuclear Talks
Iran on Tuesday said it is open to accepting temporary limits on its uranium enrichment but Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian pledged that his country will never retreat from its core principles in the nuclear talks. 'These negotiations will be fully aligned with the Supreme Leader's guidance, which will light our path,' the president said in a meeting with members of the Iranian Parliament's Independent Faction. He added, 'We have not tied the livelihood of our people to the outcome of these talks - nor will we ever do so. We will never retreat from our principles in these negotiations, but we do not seek tension either.' Tehran and Washington held their fourth round of nuclear talks on Sunday in Doha, with no apparent breakthrough. On Tuesday, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi informed the National Security Committee that during indirect talks with the US, 'uranium enrichment is a non-negotiable red line.' 'Uranium enrichment in Iran's peaceful nuclear program is a red line for the country, alongside its defense and regional strength. Iran is not engaging in discussions regarding its enrichment principles,' Gharibabadi said, according to Ebrahim Rezaei, the spokesman for the Iranian parliament's national security and foreign policy commission. Rezaei said some lawmakers suggested Tehran should withdraw from the nuclear talks 'until Iran's right to enrichment is publicly recognized, and sanctions and threats are stopped.' Meanwhile, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi again said Iran is open to accepting temporary limits on its uranium enrichment, without abandoning its nuclear program as requested by the US administration. 'For a limited period of time, we can accept a series of restrictions on the level and volume of enrichment,' said Takht-Ravanchi. 'We have not yet gone into details about the level and volume of enrichment,' he said, quoted by Tasnim news agency. The Iranian official added that negotiations are still in the early stages, and no specific details about the limitations have been discussed yet. 'We have not reached the stage where we would determine a specific timeframe or enrichment percentage,' he said. Takht-Ravanchi then argued that US behavior undermines trust. 'American officials' threatening and non-threatening statements fail to build confidence and instead cast doubts and suspicions on Washington's position,' he noted. On Monday, Iran's Revolutionary Guards aerospace commander, Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, said the country's offensive capabilities have expanded, and that Iran's adversaries are now more vulnerable to retaliation than ever before. In a closed-door session with Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Hajizadeh dismissed recent reports suggesting a decline in Iran's defense strength as part of what he called a Western and Israeli media campaign aimed at undermining Iran's image.
Asharq Al-Awsat
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Foreign Minister, Iranian Counterpart Hold Talks
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Saturday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at the ministry's Makkah Region branch. The two officials discussed strengthening bilateral relations across various sectors, as well as the latest regional developments. Iran's ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati told Asharq Al-Awsat that Araghchi briefed Prince Faisal on the talks with the United States hosted by Oman. He added that Araghchi's visit comes within the framework of ongoing consultations between the two countries in various fields, including regional issues, matters of mutual interest, and the nuclear talks.
