Putin's envoy: Russia-US dialogue will continue despite attempts to derail it
His comments on Telegram messaging app were posted hours before US President Donald Trump, who expressed frustration with Putin over Russia-Ukraine conflict, is due to make a 'major statement' on Russia.
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Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
Khamenei advisor says no nuclear talks if US insists Iran abandon enrichment
Iran will not take part in talks with the United States over its nuclear program if Washington insists Tehran abandon uranium enrichment, an advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Monday. 'If the negotiations must be conditioned on stopping enrichment, such negotiations will not take place,' advisor Ali Velayati was quoted as saying by the state news agency IRNA. Earlier on Monday, Iran said it had 'no specific date' for a meeting with the United States on Tehran's nuclear program, following a war with Israel that had derailed negotiations. 'For now, no specific date, time or location has been determined regarding this matter,' said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei of plans for a meeting between Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff. Araghchi and Witkoff met starting in April, without concluding a deal after five rounds of talks that were the highest-level contact between their two countries since Washington in 2018 abandoned a landmark nuclear agreement. The Omani-mediated negotiations were halted as Israel launched surprise strikes on the nuclear facilities of its staunch enemy Iran on June 13, starting a 12-day war which the United States later joined. 'We have been serious in diplomacy and the negotiation process, we entered with good faith, but as everyone witnessed, before the sixth round the Zionist regime, in coordination with the United States, committed military aggression against Iran,' said Baghaei. President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a statement on Monday that Iran 'supports diplomacy and constructive engagement.' 'We continue to believe that the window for diplomacy remains open, and we will seriously pursue this peaceful path.' Israel and Western nations accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran has consistently denied. While it is the only non-nuclear power to enrich uranium to 60-percent purity, close to the level needed for a warhead, the UN's atomic energy watchdog has said it had no indication that Iran was working to weaponize its stockpiles. Israel's offensive last month, which it said was aimed at thwarting a nuclear threat from the Islamic Republic, killed nuclear scientists and top-ranking military officers as well as hitting military, nuclear and other sites and residential areas. The United States launched its own set of strikes against Iran's nuclear program on June 22, hitting the uranium enrichment facility at Fordo, in Qom province south of Tehran, as well as nuclear sites in Isfahan and Natanz. The extent of the damage from the strikes remains unknown, and Baghaei said it was 'still under investigation.' Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel, and attacked a US base in Qatar in retaliation for Washington's strikes. Pezeshkian in his latest statement warned of an 'even more crushing retaliation' to any 'new aggression against Iranian territory.' Baghaei said on Monday that Iran remains in contact with Britain, France and Germany, the three European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal that the United States later withdrew from. The Europeans have threatened to trigger the 'snapback' mechanism under the 2015 agreement, which allows the reimposition of UN sanctions in the event of non-compliance. Baghaei said Tehran was 'in continuous contact with these three countries' but added that he 'cannot provide an exact date' for the next meeting with them. There was 'no legal, moral or political basis' for reimposing sanctions, according to Baghaei, as Iran was still committed to the 2015 agreement. The ministry spokesman added that such a move would be met with an 'appropriate and proportionate' response, following Iranian threats to quit the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. After the United States pulled out of the nuclear accord during Donald Trump's first term as president, Iran in 2019 began rolling back its commitments to the agreement that restricts its atomic activities in return for sanctions relief. 'The Islamic Republic of Iran still considers itself a member of the JCPOA,' Baghaei said of the 2015 deal.
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Hungary's ambassador bids farewell to Saudi Arabia after a decade of diplomacy
RIYADH: Hungarian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Balazs Selmeci bid farewell to the Kingdom as he concluded his decade-long tenure. Selmeci visited Arab News headquarters in Riyadh on Monday, where he met with Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas. The envoy said his goals were to strengthen political and diplomatic relations, expand economic ties and promote a positive image of Hungary in Saudi Arabia. At the same time, Selmeci sought to highlight Saudi Arabia's changes and opportunities in Hungary, as well as the hospitality and kindness of the Saudi people. 'I believe I achieved good results in both areas, thanks to the support of Saudi institutions, the people and my colleagues at the embassy,' Selmeci told Arab News. Reflecting on his time in the Kingdom, Selmeci highlighted the significant changes he witnessed over the years. He singled out the closing ceremony of Riyadh Season at King Fahd Stadium as a moment that symbolized Saudi Arabia's rapid transformation. Saudi society showed commitment to the reforms, leading to a more open and globally connected country. Balazs Selmeci, Hungarian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia He recalled that the stadium was full of men and women together, and Saudi ballet dancers performed on stage — something that would have been unimaginable earlier. 'At that moment, I realized how much Saudi Arabia had changed. I saw many talented Saudis and felt their happiness, both on stage and in the audience,' the envoy said. Over more than 10 years in Saudi Arabia, Selmeci observed the transformative impact of Vision 2030, including societal reforms and economic diversification. He added that social reforms — such as involving women in the workforce, increasing their participation across sectors, welcoming international visitors and events, and balancing tradition with modernization — laid the foundation for economic progress. 'Vision 2030 itself required great courage from the leadership and strong support from the Saudi people,' Selmeci said. From the outset, Saudi society showed commitment to the reforms, leading to a more open and globally connected country, he added. 'These social and ongoing economic reforms have increased Saudi Arabia's international presence and influence,' Selmeci said. He added that the reforms have allowed foreigners to better understand the Kingdom and build trust, and that the dedication of both the government and the people provides a strong foundation for success. Selmeci began his tenure as ambassador on Nov. 14, 2019, presenting his credentials to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Dec. 12, and to King Salman on Jan. 8, 2020. Before then, he served in Riyadh as deputy head of mission from March 2014 to June 2018, marking more than a decade since he first began working to strengthen Saudi-Hungarian relations. During his tenure, he oversaw the first-ever bilateral meeting between the two countries' foreign ministers in the Kingdom, as well as the first bilateral meeting between their defense ministers. Selmeci said that among the economic cooperation projects during his tenure, his favorites were the reestablishment of the Saudi-Hungarian Business Council, the launch of the Saudi-Hungarian Digitalization Cluster and the creation of the first Saudi-Hungarian joint venture in the Kingdom. He also extended his best wishes to the Saudi people, encouraging them to continue working with determination toward a better life, making the country more prosperous while preserving its traditions and heritage. Asked what message he would leave for his successor, Selmeci expressed hope that they would build on these achievements and accomplish even greater successes, while creating as many memorable experiences as he did. He added that his successor could count on the full support of the Saudi leadership, officials, the people, the diplomatic corps and embassy staff. In his closing remarks, the ambassador said he planned to return to the Kingdom in the future — 'even as a simple tourist, to walk in King Salman Park, visit Qiddiya or attend Expo 2030.'
Al Arabiya
2 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
New York governor wants Trump to take action on drone attack risks
New York Governor Kathy Hochul called on the White House to take action to address risks of drone attacks on the United States, citing a series of incidents last year and their use in international military operations. 'An attack against strategic military and critical infrastructure in New York poses an urgent danger to the United States,' Hochul said in a letter to President Donald Trump made public Monday. 'The reality is that the federal government is unprepared and poorly postured to detect and mitigate (drone) threats and states are hamstrung by a lack of legislative authority and action by the Federal Aviation Administration.'
