France threatens sanctions on Iran, and Lebanon receives response on Hezbollah
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The National
an hour ago
- The National
Iran says European powers have no grounds to reimpose sanctions
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has told his European counterparts that they have no grounds to reactivate UN sanctions after they threatened to do so unless there is progress in nuclear talks. Iran and the US held several rounds of negotiations aimed at reviving a nuclear deal, but those efforts were derailed when Israel launched strikes on Iran in June, leading to 12 days of war. "If EU/E3 want to have a role, they should act responsibly and put aside the worn-out policies of threat and pressure, including the 'snapback' for which they have absolutely no moral or legal grounds," Mr Araghchi wrote in a post on X on Friday, referring to the bloc, France, Germany and the UK. Mr Araghchi and the foreign ministers of the three countries, as well as the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, held a joint teleconference on Thursday. During the meeting, the ministers told Mr Araghchi of "their determination to use the 'snapback' mechanism, which allows for the reimposition of all international sanctions against Iran, in the absence of concrete progress" towards a deal on Tehran's nuclear programme "by the end of the summer", the French Foreign Ministry said. Pressure is being increased on Iran to convince it of "the urgency of returning to the diplomatic path without delay, in order to reach a robust, verifiable and durable agreement on Iran's nuclear programme", the ministry added. Under the terms of a UN resolution ratifying the 2015 nuclear deal, the three European powers have the ability to trigger the process before October 18. This would allow them to reimpose sanctions if they determine that Iran is not complying with the agreement. European diplomats are seeking progress by the end of August. There has been much speculation about the status of Tehran's nuclear programme since Israeli and US strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites in June. After the ceasefire in the Israel-Iran war, both sides signalled interest in returning to the negotiating table. But Tehran has insisted that it has a right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. "It was the US that withdrew from a two-year negotiated deal co-ordinated by EU in 2015 – not Iran, and it was the US that left the negotiating table in June this year and chose a military option instead, not Iran," Mr Araghchi said. "Any new round of talks is only possible when the other side is ready for a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial nuclear deal."
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Jordan: Royal Court chief attends part of sectoral workshops on agriculture, food security, healthcare
AMMAN — Royal Court Chief Yousef Issawi on Thursday attended part of the sectoral workshops focused on agriculture and food security and healthcare. Held at Royal Hashemite Court (RHC), the sessions are part of the second phase of the Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV), the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. Issawi stressed that the EMV, launched under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah, represents a 'strategic' national choice. Issawi noted that the RHC's step to host these workshops reflects "clear commitment" to His Majesty's directives to implement the vision within specific timeframes. He pointed out that the EMV aligns with the broader paths of political and administrative modernisation, forming a comprehensive Royal vision cantered on the Jordanian citizen and the improvement of public services across all sectors. Issawi added that holding dedicated sessions for the agriculture, food security, and healthcare sectors is of 'particular significance,' given their fundamental role in the national economy and their direct impact on citizens' daily lives. Experts, academics, and representatives of the private sector and civil society organisations who were involved in drafting the EMV, as well as media professionals, are participating in the sectoral workshops, scheduled to run until July 29. The workshops will serve to solidify the EMV as a blueprint for successive governments within the stipulated timeframe, the statement said. The workshops, which are held periodically for each phase of the EMV, provide an opportunity for a responsible and independent review of its implementation. The workshops will ensure essential feedback is gathered, and will enable plans for optimisation of the vision's initiatives and recommendations, to keep pace with technological and technical developments, in line with the best modern practices, the statement said. Staff Writer
Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE condemns Israeli plan to control Ibrahimi mosque in 'violation of historical status quo'
UAE has strongly condemned and denounced the Israeli plan to transfer the administration and supervision of the Ibrahimi Mosque from the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs and the Hebron Municipality to the Jewish Religious Council in the Kiryat Arba settlement. This move constitutes a serious violation of the historical and legal status quo at the Ibrahimi Mosque. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed the importance of respecting the status quo at holy sites and the need to halt all unilateral and provocative practices that would destabilise the occupied Palestinian territories and undermine international efforts to achieve calm. The UAE called on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities in protecting holy sites and ensuring that their religious and historical status is not undermined. The UAE also stressed the importance of supporting all regional and international efforts to advance the peace process in the Middle East and put an end to illegal practices that threaten the achievement of a two-state solution.
