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The National
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Iran agrees to UN nuclear watchdog visit and signals conditional openness to US talks
Iran has agreed to host a technical team from the UN's nuclear watchdog to discuss future co-operation, its Deputy Foreign Minister said on Wednesday, while cautiously signalling openness to renewed talks with the US. The development comes after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian this month ended co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and said it could only be restored if the agency addressed Iranian concerns over its perceived bias. Kazem Gharibabadi, who is also Iran's lead nuclear negotiator, said the IAEA team would arrive in Tehran within two to three weeks to negotiate a 'new modality' for continued engagement. 'The delegation will come to Iran to discuss the modality, not to go to the [nuclear] sites,' Mr Gharibabadi told reporters in New York. 'Why are they insisting to send inspectors there if those facilities have been obliterated? There shouldn't be any request to go there, unless they are seeking to see how effective the attacks were.' Iran's nuclear facilities were severely damaged last month in US strikes. The Deputy Foreign Minister said Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation was still assessing the extent of the damage but offered no further details. The planned IAEA visit comes amid heightened mistrust between Tehran and the agency. Despite expressing 'dissatisfaction' with the IAEA's recent conduct, Mr Gharibabadi described the upcoming visit as a goodwill gesture. 'I hope that it would be welcomed and they would value such co-operation and good faith,' he said. He described scheduled talks on Friday in Istanbul with the E3 – Britain, France, and Germany – as 'very important', noting that the European countries had approached Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a bid to 'manage the situation' and de-escalate tensions. The three European powers, along with China and Russia, remain signatories to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which offered Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme. The US withdrew from the deal in 2018 during President Donald Trump's first term. 'We have very constructive and good relations with China and Russia … we have always co-ordinated our positions when it comes to the nuclear issue, the negotiations, even the aggression and also now the snapback,' Mr Gharibabadi noted. The E3 have warned they may move to trigger the 'snapback' mechanism under the nuclear deal, which would reinstate all previous UN sanctions on Iran if negotiations with the US do not resume or fail to yield results by the end of August. The snapback option would remain valid until October 18, when the Security Council resolution underpinning the deal is set to expire. 'On Friday, we will discuss on this issue with the Europeans to see that how we should prevent a snapback and how we should prevent more complicating the situation,' Mr Gharibabadi said. 'Possibly, they may come to the table ... with new ideas, we are open to that. We will listen to them to see what are their ideas in this regard, to see that how we can agree to prevent complicating more the situation.' While not ruling out renewed negotiations with Washington, Mr Gharibabadi emphasised that any future talks must come with clear guarantees, including assurances that Iran would not be targeted militarily during the negotiation process and that any eventual agreement would be reciprocal. 'The calls for negotiations have never stopped, even one or two days after the Israeli aggression, and even after the armed attack of the United States on our peaceful nuclear facilities, we have received requests and calls for negotiations,' he said. He added that even following the announcement of a 'so-called' ceasefire, Tehran continues to receive overtures for renewed talks. 'We have not rejected them, but there are some issues around the negotiations,' he said. Mr Gharibabadi said a lack of consistency from Washington was a key obstacle in the five rounds of indirect talks already held with US officials. 'One of the problems we had was the continuous change in the American position. Unfortunately, we would come to a common understanding at the negotiating table, and then 24 hours later we would hear a completely different position, either through the media or directly from US officials,' he said. 'Iran is not against diplomacy and the resumption of negotiations,' he continued.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Iran 'cannot give up' on nuclear enrichment, says Foreign Minister
Iran has no plans to abandon its nuclear programme, including uranium enrichment, despite "severe" damage to its facilities after US strikes last month, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said. For now, enrichment "is stopped because, yes, damages are serious and severe," Mr Araghchi told Fox News' Special Report with Bret Baier. "But obviously we cannot give up enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists," he continued, calling it a source of "national pride." He stressed that any future nuclear deal would have to contain the right to enrichment. When asked whether any enriched uranium had been saved from the strikes, Mr Araghchi said he had "no detailed information," but that Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation is "trying to evaluate what has exactly happened to our nuclear material, to our enriched material." The US bombed three nuclear facilities in Iran on 22 June to support Israel's 12-day military offensive, including the Fordow underground uranium enrichment site located south of Tehran. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly called the strikes a success, reaffirming on Saturday that all three sites were "completely destroyed". Mr Trump welcomed Mr Araghchi's comments in a post on his Truth Social platform. "Just like I said, and we will do it again, if necessary!" he posted. Mr Araghchi's remarks come as Tehran is set to hold new talks on its nuclear programme with Germany, France and the UK on Friday in Istanbul. Regarding negotiations with the United States to de-escalate regional tension, Mr Araghchi said "we are open to talks" but "not direct for the time being." "We are ready to do any confidence-building measure needed to prove that Iran's nuclear program is peaceful" in exchange for lifted US sanctions, he added. The foreign minister also confirmed that Iran would continue to develop and manufacture missiles. Despite multiple barrages of missiles launched at Israel and waves of Israeli attacks on its bases and launchers, Mr Araghchi said "we still have a good number of missiles to defend ourselves". Mr Baier also asked about the health of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has rarely been seen since the start of Israel's attack. "I met him today, he is in a very good shape and in a very good health," Mr Araghchi said.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Iran will not abandon nuclear enrichment
WASHINGTON: Iran has no plans to abandon its nuclear program, including uranium enrichment, despite "severe" damage to its facilities after US strikes last month, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said yesterday. For now, enrichment "is stopped because, yes, damages are serious and severe," Araghchi told Fox News' "Special Report with Bret Baier." "But obviously we cannot give up enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists," he continued, calling it a source of "national pride." He stressed that any future nuclear deal would have to contain the right to enrichment. When asked whether any enriched uranium had been saved from the strikes, Araghchi said he had "no detailed information," but that Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation is "trying to evaluate what has exactly happened to our nuclear material, to our enriched material." Washington bombed three nuclear facilities in Iran on June 22 to support Israel's 12-day military offensive, including the Fordow underground uranium enrichment site located south of Tehran. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly called the strikes a success, reaffirming on Saturday that all three sites were "completely destroyed." Araghchi's remarks come as Tehran is set to hold new talks on its nuclear program with Germany, France and the United Kingdom on Friday in Istanbul. Regarding negotiations with the United States to de-escalate regional tension, Araghchi said "we are open to talks" but "not direct for the time being." "We are ready to do any confidence-building measure needed to prove that Iran's nuclear program is peaceful" in exchange for lifted US sanctions, he added. The foreign minister also confirmed that Iran would continue to develop and manufacture missiles. Despite multiple barrages of missiles launched at Israel and waves of Israeli attacks on its bases and launchers, Araghchi said "we still have a good number of missiles to defend ourselves." Baier also asked about the health of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has rarely been seen since the start of Israel's attack.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Tehran will not abandon nuclear enrichment, says Iran's foreign minister
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's remarks come as Tehran is set to hold new talks on its nuclear programme. WASHINGTON - Iran has no plans to abandon its nuclear programme, including uranium enrichment, despite 'severe' damage to its facilities after US strikes last month, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on July 21. For now, enrichment 'is stopped because, yes, damages are serious and severe,' Mr Araghchi told Fox News' 'Special Report with Bret Baier.' 'But obviously we cannot give up enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists,' he continued, calling it a source of 'national pride.' He stressed that any future nuclear deal would have to contain the right to enrichment. When asked whether any enriched uranium had been saved from the strikes, Mr Araghchi said he had 'no detailed information,' but that Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation is 'trying to evaluate what has exactly happened to our nuclear material, to our enriched material.' Washington bombed three nuclear facilities in Iran on June 22 to support Israel's 12-day military offensive, including the Fordow underground uranium enrichment site located south of Tehran . US President Donald Trump has repeatedly called the strikes a success, reaffirming on July 19 that all three sites were 'completely destroyed.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump 'caught off guard' by Israel's strikes in Syria Opinion Singapore's vaping crisis lays bare the drug addiction nightmare for parents Singapore LTA seeks tailored solutions to improve Bukit Panjang LRT's maintenance inspections Multimedia 'It's very sad': She comforts loved ones turned away by inmates Opinion Sumiko at 61: 7 facts about facial skin ageing, and skincare ingredients that actually work Singapore Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH Opinion With Shatec cutting back operations, what's next for the hospitality sector? World US not rushing trade deals ahead of August deadline, will talk with China, Bessent says Mr Araghchi's remarks come as Tehran is set to hold new talks on its nuclear programme with Germany, France and the United Kingdom on July 18 in Istanbul. Regarding negotiations with the United States to de-escalate regional tension, Mr Araghchi said 'we are open to talks' but 'not direct for the time being.' 'We are ready to do any confidence-building measure needed to prove that Iran's nuclear programme is peaceful' in exchange for lifted US sanctions, he added. The foreign minister also confirmed that Iran would continue to develop and manufacture missiles. Despite multiple barrages of missiles launched at Israel and waves of Israeli attacks on its bases and launchers, Mr Araghchi said 'we still have a good number of missiles to defend ourselves.' Mr Baier also asked about the health of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has rarely been seen since the start of Israel's attack. 'I met him today, he is in a very good shape and in a very good health,' Mr Araghchi said. AFP
RTHK
2 days ago
- Politics
- RTHK
Tehran will not stop nuclear enrichment, says Iran FM
Tehran will not stop nuclear enrichment, says Iran FM Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke to Fox News' Bret Baier. Photo: Reuters Iran has no plans to abandon its nuclear programme, including uranium enrichment, despite "severe" damage to its facilities after US strikes last month, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday. For now, enrichment "is stopped because, yes, damages are serious and severe," Araghchi told Fox News' "Special Report with Bret Baier." "But obviously we cannot give up enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists," he continued, calling it a source of "national pride." He stressed that any future nuclear deal would have to contain the right to enrichment. When asked whether any enriched uranium had been saved from the strikes, Araghchi said he had "no detailed information," but that Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation is "trying to evaluate what has exactly happened to our nuclear material, to our enriched material." Washington bombed three nuclear facilities in Iran on June 22 to support Israel's 12-day military offensive, including the Fordow underground uranium enrichment site located south of Tehran. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly called the strikes a success, reaffirming on Saturday that all three sites were "completely destroyed." Araghchi's remarks come as Tehran is set to hold new talks on its nuclear program with Germany, France and the United Kingdom on Friday in Istanbul. Regarding negotiations with the United States to de-escalate regional tension, Araghchi said "we are open to talks" but "not direct for the time being." "We are ready to do any confidence-building measure needed to prove that Iran's nuclear programme is peaceful" in exchange for lifted US sanctions, he added. The foreign minister also confirmed that Iran would continue to develop and manufacture missiles. (AFP)
