logo
Iran will hold nuclear talks with European nations in Turkey, the first since ceasefire with Israel

Iran will hold nuclear talks with European nations in Turkey, the first since ceasefire with Israel

Yahoo5 days ago
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran said Monday it would hold renewed talks this week with European nations over the country's nuclear program, with discussions to be hosted by Turkey.
The talks, to be held in Istanbul on Friday, will be the first since a ceasefire was reached after a 12-day war waged by Israel against Iran in June, which also saw the United States strike nuclear-related facilities in the Islamic Republic. A similar meeting had been held in the Turkish city in May.
The discussions will bring Iranian officials together with officials from Britain, France and Germany — known as the E3 nations — and will include the European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas.
'The topic of the talks is clear, lifting sanctions and issues related to the peaceful nuclear program of Iran," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said in his weekly briefing. He said the meeting will be held at the deputy ministerial level.
Under a 2015 deal designed to cap Iran's nuclear activities, Iran agreed to tough restrictions on its international program in exchange for an easing of sanctions. The deal began to unravel in 2018, when the United States pulled out of it and began to reimpose certain sanctions. European countries have recently threatened to trigger the 2015 deal's 'snapback' mechanism, which would allow sanctions to be reimposed in the case of non-compliance by Tehran.
German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Martin Giese, asked who Germany will send to the talks and what its expectations are, said that 'the talks are taking place at expert level.'
'Iran must never come into possession of a nuclear weapon,' so Germany, France and Britain are 'continuing to work … at high pressure on a sustainable and verifiable diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear program,' he said. 'This course of action is also coordinated with the U.S.'
'It's very clear that, should no solution be reached by the end of August … snapback remains an option for the E3,' Giese told reporters in Berlin.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Sunday the three European nations lack 'any legal, political, and moral standing' to invoke such mechanisms, and accused Britain, France and Germany of failing to uphold their commitments in the deal.
'Attempting to trigger 'snapback' under these circumstances, in defiance of established facts and prior communications, constitutes an abuse of process that the international community must reject,' Araghchi said.
He also criticized the three European nations for 'providing political and material support to the recent unprovoked and illegal military aggression of the Israeli regime and the US.'
The U.S. bombed three major Iranian nuclear sites in Iran in June as Israel waged an air war with Iran. Nearly 1,100 people were killed in Iran, including many military commanders and nuclear scientists, while 28 were killed in Israel.
Araghchi stressed in the letter that his country is ready for diplomatic solutions.
After U.S. President Donald Trump pulled his country out of the 2015 deal, Iran has gradually increased its nuclear activities, including enriching uranium up to 60%, a step away from weapons-grade nuclear materials, or 90% enrichment of uranium.
Iran denies allegations it is seeking a nuclear weapon and has long said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
___
Associated Press writer Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

9 dead, 22 injured in 'terrorist' attack in Iran
9 dead, 22 injured in 'terrorist' attack in Iran

UPI

timean hour ago

  • UPI

9 dead, 22 injured in 'terrorist' attack in Iran

July 26 (UPI) -- A group of "armed terrorists" killed six and injured 22 during a Saturday morning attack on a courthouse in Zahedan, Iran, Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni announced. Armed militants attacked during the early morning rush hour, but were opposed by the courthouse security team, Iran's state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported. Three members of the security team and three civilians, including a woman and a child, were among those killed, while 22 others were injured. Three attackers also were killed. The Jaish al-Adl "terrorist group" claimed responsibility for the attack that initially targeted the courthouse but led to attacks on nearby civilians, according to the IRNA report. Jaish al-Adl is a "jihadist separatist group" and used small arms, grenade launchers and mortars during the two-phased attack, The Guardian reported. The attack's first phase was an assault on the courthouse, where the militants fought with security forces for three hours. Gunfire and explosions could be heard during the initial attack that ensued after Jaish al-Adl militants entered while disguised as civilians, The Jerusalem Post reported. Three gunmen in their 20s and carrying backpacks carried out the attack, the news outlet reported. The gunmen entered the judges' chambers and killed judicial staff, security and civilians, local police said. The attack's second phase was a random attack on civilians outside the courthouse. Jaish al-Adl is a Sunni Muslim group and warned Iranian civilians to "immediately evacuate the area of clashes for their safety" in a Telegram post in which the group claimed responsibility for the Zahedan courthouse assault. Zahedan is located in the Sistan and Baluchestan provinces in southeastern Iran, where armed groups in nearby Pakistan and Afghanistan occasionally engage in violence. The Jaish al-Adl group in October killed 10 police officers in Taftan County, which is one of that province's deadliest incidents in recent months.

Cameroon's election board bars main opposition candidate from presidential race
Cameroon's election board bars main opposition candidate from presidential race

San Francisco Chronicle​

time3 hours ago

  • San Francisco Chronicle​

Cameroon's election board bars main opposition candidate from presidential race

YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — Cameroon 's electoral commission on Saturday rejected the candidacy of Maurice Kamto in the upcoming presidential election, fueling fears of unrest and increasing the likelihood of another Biya victory. Kamto, a former government minister, is seen as the main challenger to long-serving President Paul Biya. The electoral commission, ELECAM, said it approved 13 presidential candidates, excluding Kamto. No reason was given. Biya is included. Kamto, who has two days to appeal, was considered Biya's strongest rival in past elections. He came second during the last presidential election in 2018 with 14% of the vote, while Biya cruised to victory with over 70% in an election marred by irregularities and a low turnout. Biya, 92, the world's oldest serving head of state, said last month he would seek reelection on Oct. 12 despite rumors that his health is failing. He has been in power since 1982, nearly half his lifetime. Biya's rule has left a lasting impact on Cameroon. His government has faced various challenges, including allegations of corruption and a deadly secessionist conflict in the nation's English-speaking provinces that has forced thousands out of school. Security forces were deployed around the ELECAM headquarters and along major roads in Yaoundé, the capital, and in Douala, the economic hub. The United Nations Department of Safety and Security had warned Friday that the announcement could trigger protests in the capital.

Cracks Emerge in G7 Over Macron's Palestine Move
Cracks Emerge in G7 Over Macron's Palestine Move

Newsweek

time3 hours ago

  • Newsweek

Cracks Emerge in G7 Over Macron's Palestine Move

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. European and American leaders have spoken out against French President Emmanuel Macron's plan to officially recognize Palestine as a state, illuminating the cracks among nations that make up the Group of Seven (G7) amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza. On X, formerly Twitter, Macron made the announcement on Thursday and wrote in part: "Consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine. I will make this solemn announcement before the United Nations General Assembly this coming September." Why It Matters Macron's announcement brings to a head months of increasing criticism from France, which has a large Muslim population, regarding Israel's conduct in its war against Hamas—the Palestinian militant group that rules Gaza—that was sparked by the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people. The ongoing Israel-Hamas war has led to mass destruction, death, and famine in Gaza. At least 1.9 million people—about 90 percent of the population in the enclave—have been internally displaced by Israeli bombardments, according to the U.N. Israel's ground and air attacks have killed more than 55,300 Palestinians, per the Gaza Health Ministry. The French president's decision also comes amid a wave of nations moving to recognize Palestinian statehood, with France being the first G7 nation to do so. Other countries that make up the G7 include Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Representatives from other nations say it could be too soon to recognize statehood and further complicate relations between Palestine and Israel. Of the 193 U.N. member states, approximately 147 currently recognize the State of Palestine, which was granted non-member observer status at the U.N. in 2012. Israel, which is a full member of the U.N., is currently recognized by around 165 U.N. member states. What To Know Macron's announcement followed his visit to Egypt's border with Gaza in April where he witnessed the scale of the crisis. "In light of the commitments made to me by the President of the Palestinian Authority, I have written to him to express my determination to move forward," Macron wrote in his X post. He had originally sought a coordinated move with allies, including the U.K. and Canada, but faced reluctance from these governments. While France presses forward, the United States and Israel sharply condemned the decision, characterizing it as bolstering Hamas and undermining peace efforts. "The United States strongly rejects @EmmanuelMacron's plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the @UN general assembly," Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X following Macron's announcement. "This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th." British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Germany have also resisted immediately following suit, citing the necessity of linking Palestinian statehood to progress on a two-state solution and broader regional negotiations, The Independent reported. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reacted to Macron's statement saying in part, "I am very much in favour of the State of Palestine but I am not in favour of recognising it prior to establishing it," Reuters reported. Meloni also rejected premature recognition, saying, "If something that doesn't exist is recognised on paper, the problem could appear to be solved when it isn't." French President Emmanuel Macron talks to media prior to talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at Villa Borsig on July 23 in Berlin. French President Emmanuel Macron talks to media prior to talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at Villa Borsig on July 23 in Berlin. Photo byHamas 'Always Rejected the Two-State Solution' Macron has said the decision on a Palestinian state was "consistent" with his country's "historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East," and called for an "urgent end to the war" as well as greater humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot defended the decision and rejected the accusation that it helped Hamas. "Hamas has always rejected the two-state solution. By recognizing Palestine, France proves this terrorist movement wrong. It supports the side of peace against that of war," Barrot posted to X. Israel Reacts to Macron Decision Israel's Permanent Representative to the U.N., Danny Danon, blasted France's decision. "Neither international conferences disconnected from reality nor unilateral statements at the U.N. will lead to peace," Danon said in a statement shared with Newsweek. "Macron's decision to recognize a Palestinian state after the massacre of October 7 and precisely at a time when Hamas is still holding hostages is a disgraceful reward for terrorism." He added: "Anyone who ignores the reality on the ground—that Israel has no partner for peace—harms not only Israel but the stability of the entire region." What People Are Saying President Donald Trump to reporters about Macron's announcement on Friday: "What he says doesn't matter. He's a very good guy. I like him, but that statement doesn't carry weight." British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in a statement Friday, per The Independent: "Alongside our closest allies, I am working on a pathway to peace in the region, focused on the practical solutions that will make a real difference to the lives of those that are suffering in this war. That pathway will set out the concrete steps needed to turn the ceasefire so desperately needed, into a lasting peace." He added: "Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps. I am unequivocal about that. But it must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis. This is the way to ensure it is a tool of maximum utility to improve the lives of those who are suffering—which of course, will always be our ultimate goal." French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X: "...Peace is possible. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza. We must also ensure the demilitarization of Hamas, secure and rebuild Gaza. And finally, we must build the State of Palestine, guarantee its viability, and ensure that by accepting its demilitarization and fully recognizing Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the region. There is no alternative. The French people want peace in the Middle East. It is our responsibility—as French citizens, alongside Israelis, Palestinians, and our European and international partners—to prove that peace is possible." What Happens Next? Following Macron's announcement, divisions may further complicate efforts to coordinate Western policy on the Middle East and could weaken the G7's collective influence over the peace process. Within the U.K., Starmer's Labour government faces continued pressure from MPs, trade unions, and allied parties to match France's move, with speculation surrounding potential policy shifts following a planned meeting with Trump in Scotland this week.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store