Turkey, Syria Eye Operation Against Israel? Erdogan Steps In With Bold Warning
/ Jul 22, 2025, 12:05AM IST
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed his unwavering support for Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, condemning Israel's interference in Syria's stability. Erdogan pledged full backing to help Syria recover from ongoing conflicts and vowed not to abandon his ally amid rising tensions in the region. Watch
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
21 minutes ago
- First Post
Iran says open to nuclear talks only if US rebuilds trust
Iran is open to nuclear talks with the US if Washington takes steps to restore trust, a senior diplomat said. The statement comes before a crucial EU meeting following a ceasefire and US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities read more Iran is willing to negotiate its nuclear program with the United States, but only if Washington makes genuine efforts to re-establish trust, a top Iranian diplomat said Thursday, ahead of a major meeting with European officials. The conference will be the first since a truce was agreed upon during Israel's 12-day war against Iran in June, during which US B-52 bombers targeted nuclear-related sites in Iran. Iranian officials will participate in the talks alongside representatives from the E3 countries, which include Britain, France, and Germany, as well as Kaja Kallas, the head of the European Union's foreign policy. In May, a similar meeting had taken place in the Turkish city. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iran's conditions Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, stated on social media on Thursday that Tehran would ask that 'several key principles' be respected in talks with the United States. These include 'rebuilding Iran's trust — as Iran has absolutely no trust in the United States,' he said, adding that there was no place 'for hidden agendas such as military action, though Iran remains fully prepared for any scenario.' Washington would have to accept and recognise Iran's rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which include the freedom to enrich uranium 'in line with its legitimate needs' and the removal of severe economic sanctions against Iran. The talks in Istanbul will be held at the deputy ministerial level, with Iran sending Majid Takht-e Ravanchi, the other of Iran's two deputy foreign ministers. A show of strength Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a televised interview Thursday that Tehran would not back down from uranium enrichment. Before the war in June, Iran was enriching uranium up to 60% — a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels. 'Our enrichment will continue, and we will not give up this right of the Iranian people,' Araghchi said in a video posted on the state TV's Telegram channel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iran's top diplomat said the Istanbul talks with the European parties are necessary, especially after the 12-day war, to make them aware that Iran's positions remain strong. 'The world must know that there has been no change in our stance,' he said. 'We will continue to firmly defend the rights of the Iranian people to peaceful nuclear energy, especially regarding enrichment.' Araghchi also said that Iran has always been ready to advance its peaceful program within a reasonable and logical framework. 'We have never hesitated to build trust with countries that may have concerns,' he said, 'but at the same time, Iran's demand is that its right to peaceful nuclear energy, including enrichment, be respected.' High stakes European leaders have threatened to trigger a 'snapback' mechanism included in a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which would reimpose sanctions that were lifted in exchange for Iran accepting restrictions and monitoring of its nuclear program. The United Kingdom, France and Germany were signatories to the 2015 deal. The US withdrew in 2018 during the first term of President Donald Trump, who insisted the agreement wasn't tough enough. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iranian officials have warned that a move to reimpose sanctions would have consequences. Gharibabadi said earlier this week that it could force Tehran to withdraw from key non-proliferation agreements. In a letter to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, Araghchi accused the E3 of hypocrisy, saying they failed to uphold their obligations under the 2015 deal while supporting Israel's recent strikes on Iran. In last month's conflict, Iran responded to Israeli and US strikes with missile attacks, including a strike on a US base in Qatar, which Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted was not directed at the Qatari state. In an interview with Al Jazeera that aired on Wednesday, Pezeshkian said Iran is prepared for another war and accused Israel of attempting to assassinate him during a June 15 meeting of Iran's national security council in Tehran. Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran's nuclear program will continue within the framework of international law and insisted the country has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Our nuclear capabilities are in the minds of our scientists,' he said, emphasizing Iran's position that future negotiations must be rooted in mutual respect, not threats. The aftermath of war According to Iran's official judicial news agency Mizan, at least 13 Iranian nuclear scientists were killed during the June Israel-Iran war. The extent of the damage to Iran's nuclear sites from the war has not been publicly revealed but a spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organization said Thursday the country's nuclear industry would recover. 'Our nuclear industry is deeply rooted. What has roots cannot be harmed by attack or pressure — it will grow back and thrive again,' state TV quoted Behrouz Kamalvandi as saying. The U.N. nuclear watchdog — the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA — reported in May that Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% had grown to over 400 kilograms (882 pounds). That material, just below weapons-grade level, remains a central concern for the West. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD After the June war, Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA, following legislation signed by Pezeshkian. The road ahead remains uncertain. While European officials say they want to avoid further conflict and are open to a negotiated solution, they have warned that time is running out.
Hindustan Times
23 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Iran says ready for nuclear talks with US, but on one condition
Iran is ready to engage in talks on its nuclear program with the United States, but only if Washington takes meaningful steps to rebuild trust, a senior Iranian diplomat said Thursday, ahead of a key meeting with European officials. That meeting will be the first since a ceasefire was reached after a 12-day war waged by Israel against Iran in June, which also saw US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. (AFP) That meeting will be the first since a ceasefire was reached after a 12-day war waged by Israel against Iran in June, which also saw U.S. B-52 bombers strike nuclear-related facilities in the Islamic Republic. 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. A similar meeting had been held in the Turkish city in May. Iran's conditions In a social media post, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Thursday that for talks with the Unites States, Tehran would seek that 'several key principles' be upheld. These include 'rebuilding Iran's trust — as Iran has absolutely no trust in the United States," he said, adding there could be no room 'for hidden agendas such as military action, though Iran remains fully prepared for any scenario.' Washington would have to respect and recognize Iran's rights under the international agreement known as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, including the right to enrich uranium 'in line with its legitimate needs' and the lifting of crippling economic sanctions on Iran. The talks in Istanbul will be held at the deputy ministerial level, with Iran sending Majid Takht-e Ravanchi, the other of Iran's two deputy foreign ministers. A show of strength Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a televised interview Thursday that Tehran would not back down from uranium enrichment. Before the war in June, Iran was enriching uranium up to 60% — a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels. 'Our enrichment will continue, and we will not give up this right of the Iranian people,' Araghchi said in a video posted on the state TV's Telegram channel. Iran's top diplomat said the Istanbul talks with the European parties are necessary, especially after the 12-day war, to make them aware that Iran's positions remain strong. 'The world must know that there has been no change in our stance,' he said. "We will continue to firmly defend the rights of the Iranian people to peaceful nuclear energy, especially regarding enrichment.' Araghchi also said that Iran has always been ready to advance its peaceful program within a reasonable and logical framework. 'We have never hesitated to build trust with countries that may have concerns,' he said, 'but at the same time, Iran's demand is that its right to peaceful nuclear energy, including enrichment, be respected.' High stakes European leaders have threatened to trigger a 'snapback' mechanism included in a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which would reimpose sanctions that were lifted in exchange for Iran accepting restrictions and monitoring of its nuclear program. The United Kingdom, France and Germany were signatories to the 2015 deal. The U.S. withdrew in 2018 during the first term of President Donald Trump, who insisted the agreement wasn't tough enough. Iranian officials have warned that a move to reimpose sanctions would have consequences. Gharibabadi said earlier this week that it could force Tehran to withdraw from key non-proliferation agreements. In a letter to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, Araghchi accused the E3 of hypocrisy, saying they failed to uphold their obligations under the 2015 deal while supporting Israel's recent strikes on Iran. In last month's conflict, Iran responded to Israeli and U.S. strikes with missile attacks, including a strike on a U.S. base in Qatar, which Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted was not directed at the Qatari state. In an interview with Al Jazeera that aired on Wednesday, Pezeshkian said Iran is prepared for another war and accused Israel of attempting to assassinate him during a June 15 meeting of Iran's national security council in Tehran. Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran's nuclear program will continue within the framework of international law and insisted the country has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons. 'Our nuclear capabilities are in the minds of our scientists,' he said, emphasizing Iran's position that future negotiations must be rooted in mutual respect, not threats. The aftermath of war According to Iran's official judicial news agency Mizan, at least 13 Iranian nuclear scientists were killed during the June Israel-Iran war. The extent of the damage to Iran's nuclear sites from the war has not been publicly revealed but a spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organization said Thursday the country's nuclear industry would recover. 'Our nuclear industry is deeply rooted. What has roots cannot be harmed by attack or pressure — it will grow back and thrive again,' state TV quoted Behrouz Kamalvandi as saying. The U.N. nuclear watchdog — the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA — reported in May that Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% had grown to over 400 kilograms (882 pounds). That material, just below weapons-grade level, remains a central concern for the West. After the June war, Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA, following legislation signed by Pezeshkian. The road ahead remains uncertain. While European officials say they want to avoid further conflict and are open to a negotiated solution, they have warned that time is running out.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Ammunition depot explosion in Syria kills at least 7, injures scores
Last Updated: Damascus, Jul 24 (AP) An explosion at an ammunition depot in northern Syria on Thursday killed at least seven people and wounded scores, rescuers and monitors said. There was no official statement as to what has caused the blast in Idlib province. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor, said the explosion took place at an ammunition depot. The Syrian Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, also said the blast in Idlib, in the town of Maarat Misrin, struck an ammunition depot. 'Our teams are working to recover the bodies of the dead, treat the injured, and extinguish fires at the site of the massive explosion of an ammunition depot," the White Helmets said in a statement. The state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV referred to the explosion as involving 'remnants from the war," likely shorthand for arms and ammunition left over from Syria's nearly 14-year civil war. The TV report did not give more details. Syrian Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh said in a post on X that teams were transporting the wounded and dead despite 'continued recurring explosions in the area, which are hampering response efforts". During the war, which killed nearly half a million people and displaced half the country's pre-war population of of 23 million, Idlib was an opposition-held enclave. The country's current interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa formerly led Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an insurgent group based in Idlib that spearheaded the offensive that unseated Assad. (AP) SCY SCY view comments First Published: July 25, 2025, 00:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
