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The Citizen
a day ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Iran says no plan for new US nuclear talks, plays down impact of strikes
Iran's foreign minister says no agreement has been made to restart talks, despite US claims of imminent negotiations. This image released by the office of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on June 26, 2025 shows him addressing the nation in front of a portrait of his predecessor, the late founder of the Islamic republic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Khamenei threatened in a video message aired by national TV on June 26 to carry out more strikes on US bases in the region if Iran came under another attack by the United States. (Photo by / AFP) Iran on Thursday denied it is set to resume nuclear talks with the United States after the end of a 12-day war with Israel, and accused Washington of exaggerating the impact of US strikes. The most serious conflict yet between Israel and Iran derailed nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, but President Donald Trump said Washington would hold discussions with Tehran next week, with his special envoy Steve Witkoff expressing hope 'for a comprehensive peace agreement'. But Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shut down what he said was 'speculation' that Tehran would come to the table and said it 'should not be taken seriously'. 'I would like to state clearly that no agreement, arrangement or conversation has been made to start new negotiations,' he said on state television. 'No plan has been set yet to start negotiations.' Araghchi's denial came as Iranian lawmakers passed a 'binding' bill suspending cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog and after supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Trump of exaggerating the impact of US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. In a televised speech — his first appearance since a ceasefire in the war with Israel — Khamenei hailed what he described as Iran's 'victory' over Israel, vowed never to yield to US pressure and insisted Washington had been dealt a humiliating 'slap'. ALSO READ: US apologised for not attending G20 Sherpa meeting, Lamola says [VIDEO] 'The American president exaggerated events in unusual ways, and it turned out that he needed this exaggeration,' Khamenei said, rejecting US claims Iran's nuclear programme had been set back by decades. The strikes, he insisted, had done 'nothing significant' to Iran's nuclear infrastructure. Araghchi, for his part, called the damage 'serious' and said a detailed assessment was under way. Trump said key facilities, including the underground Fordo uranium enrichment site, had been 'obliterated' by American B-2 bombers. Doubts remain about whether Iran quietly removed some 400 kilogrammes (880 pounds) of enriched uranium from its most sensitive sites before the strikes — potentially hiding nuclear material elsewhere in the country. But posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump dismissed such speculation, saying: 'Nothing was taken out… too dangerous, and very heavy and hard to move!' He added that satellite images showed trucks at the site only because Iranian crews were attempting to shield the facility with concrete. ALSO READ: A VIEW OF THE WEEK: Trump should have learnt from SA 'white genocide' moemish before bombing Iran Khamenei dismissed such claims, saying 'the Islamic republic won, and in retaliation dealt a severe slap to the face of America'. Both sides have claimed victory: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a 'historic win', while Khamenei said Iran's missile retaliation had brought Israel to the brink of collapse. US defence In Washington, the true impact of the strikes has sparked sharp political and intelligence debates. A leaked classified assessment suggested the damage to Iran's nuclear programme may be less severe than initially claimed — possibly delaying progress by only a few months. That contrasts with statements from senior US officials. CIA Director John Ratcliffe said several facilities would need to be 'rebuilt over the course of years'. ALSO READ: Trump's hasty war on Iran risks dragging US into another endless conflict Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth accused the media of misrepresenting the operation. He said the United States used massive GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs on Fordo and another underground site, while submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles targeted a third facility. 'President Trump created the conditions to end the war, decimating — choose your word — obliterating, destroying Iran's nuclear capabilities,' Hegseth said. Netanyahu says Iran 'thwarted' Following waves of Israeli attacks on nuclear and military sites and retaliatory missile fire from Iran since mid-June — the deadliest between the two countries to date — the US bombed three key Iranian atomic facilities. Initial intelligence reports, first revealed by CNN, suggested the strikes did not destroy critical components and delayed Iran's nuclear programme only by months. The Israeli military said Iran's nuclear sites had taken a 'significant' blow, but cautioned it was 'still early' to fully assess the damage. ALSO READ: Oh dear, Donald, that was a bust Netanyahu said Israel had 'thwarted Iran's nuclear project', warning any attempt by Iran to rebuild it would be met with the same determination and intensity. Iran has consistently denied seeking a nuclear weapon while defending its 'legitimate rights' to the peaceful use of atomic energy. It has also said it is willing to return to nuclear negotiations with Washington. French President Emmanuel Macron told journalist after an EU summit in Brussels on Thursday that US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities were 'genuinely effective'. But Macron said that the 'worst-case scenario' would be if Tehran now exits the global non-proliferation treaty that is meant to limit the spread of nuclear weapons. The Israeli strikes on Iran killed at least 627 civilians, Tehran's health ministry said. ALSO READ: Oil prices plunge as Trump announces shaky ceasefire between Iran and Israel Iran's attacks on Israel killed 28 people, according to Israeli figures. – By: © Agence France-Presse
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First Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
'Enemies made big mistake': Khamenei vows to retaliate in his first statment after US, Israel strikes
In his first statement after the US strike on Iran's nuclear sites, the country's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed punishment for Israel and vowed intense retaliation against enemies read more In his first statment following the US's strikes on Iran , the West Asian nation's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that the enemies of the country have made a 'big mistake'. On Sunday, Khamenei took to X, formerly known as Twitter, condemning strikes on Iran's three nuclear facilities, Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan . In the post, the Iranian supreme leader vowed to intensify attacks against Tel Aviv but made no mention of the US attacks. 'The punishment continues. The Zionist enemy has made a grave mistake, and committed a major crime; it must be punished—and it is being punished. It is being punished right now,' Khamenei said in his official post. His first statement on the matter came a day after the United States carried out 'Operation Midnight Hammer'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD #همین_حالا مجازات ادامه دارد دشمن صهیونی یک اشتباه بزرگی کرده، یک جنایت بزرگی را مرتکب شده؛ باید مجازات بشود و دارد مجازات میشود؛ همین حالا دارد مجازات میشود.#الله_اکبر — | فارسی 🇮🇷 (@Khamenei_fa) June 23, 2025 While speaking from the White House late Saturday, Trump said that the decision to strike Iran was aimed at the 'destruction of Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world's number one state sponsor of terror.' 'Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace . If they do not. Future attacks would be far greater and a lot easier,' he furthered. Iran warns of wider conflict Meanwhile, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader noted that bases used by US forces to launch an attack on Iranian nuclear sites 'will be considered legitimate targets.' 'Any country in the region or elsewhere that is used by American forces to strike Iran will be considered a legitimate target for our armed forces,' said Ali Akbar Velayati in a message carried by the official IRNA news agency. He noted that the United States 'no longer' has a place in the Middle East after its overnight strikes. 'There is no longer any place for America or its bases in this region and the Islamic world,' he asserted. 'America has attacked the heart of the Islamic world and must await irreparable consequences because the Islamic Republic does not tolerate any insult or aggression against itself,' the Iranian adviser furthered. With Khamenei's warning, the world will now look at how Iran would respond.
Sinar Daily
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
Netanyahu's Gambit? A deep dive into the factors behind 'Operation Rising Lion'
Starting on June 13, 2025, Israel launched a massive attack on Iran. The unprovoked attack, which it labelled as `Operation Rising Lion,' was the culmination of tensions that had been building for decades. To understand why Israel carried out the attack, it is essential to examine several key historical, political and strategic factors that influence the relationship between the two countries. A handout picture provided by the Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's office shows him waving during a ceremony on the occasion of 36rd death anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in Tehran on June 4, 2025. Khamenei vowed on June 18, 2025 that his country would show no mercy towards Israel's rulers, hours after US President Donald Trump demanded Tehran's "unconditional surrender". (Photo by / AFP) Pre-Revolutionary Iran-Israel Relations Before the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran, under the rule of King Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, had established good relations with Israel. This situation arose due to the good relations between the Iranian government and the United States government, which, through its spy agency, the CIA and in collaboration with the British MI6, had carried out Operation Ajax in 1953 to overthrow the Iranian Prime Minister, Mohammad Mosaddegh and restore Mohammad Reza Shah to the throne after the latter had fled abroad. Mossadegh had earlier nationalised Iran's oil industry, so the primary motives of the United States and Britain were to safeguard Western oil interests and counter the influence of the Soviet Union. After 1953, the United States provided military aid to strengthen the Reza Shah Pahlavi regime while profiting from billions of dollars in sophisticated weapons sales to Iran, such as F-14 Tomcat fighter jets. However, King Reza Shah's extravagant lifestyle, while most Iranians lived in poverty, made many dissatisfied with his rule. An iron-fisted approach toward the people also characterised his rule. Through the Savak intelligence agency, his regime arrested and tortured thousands of Iranians who dared to challenge his authority. The growing dissatisfaction and hatred of the Iranian people eventually led to the violent revolution in 1979 that toppled him and forced him into exile to the US and later to Mexico, Panama and Egypt, where he eventually died. Post-Revolution Attitude towards Israel The previous good relations between King Reza Shah and the US gave rise to anti-American attitudes among Iranians during and after the revolution. Iranians perceived the US as directly interfering in Iran's affairs and stealing its resources. This attitude hardened during the post-revolutionary Islamic Republic of Iran, led by Ayatollah Khomeini. He severed diplomatic relations with the United States and Israel. Khomeini even called Israel the "little devil" and the United States the "great devil". Indirect War However, until very recently, Iran and Israel chose not to engage in any direct conflicts. Instead, they were engaged in what can be called a `shadow war' where Iran will use proxies such as Hezbollah in Lebanon to attack Israel using weapons supplied by Iran. Other proxies are Shiite militia movements in Iraq and Yemen. Meanwhile, Israel also avoided attacking Iran directly before this. Instead, Israel only attacked through cyber warfare, such as the usage of the `Stuxnet virus' to undermine Iran's nuclear programme. In addition, Israel was also believed to be behind the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in 2020. Direct Conflict After October 2023 However, the conflict between the two countries became more intense following Hamas's Operation on October 7, 2023 and Hezbollah's launching of rockets and artillery attacks on Israeli positions in the Shebaa Farms and the Golan Heights, areas illegally occupied by Israel. Hezbollah declared this action as an action to show "solidarity with the Palestinian people" and an effort to divert the focus of Israeli forces from Gaza. Israel responded to the attack on September 27, 2024, by bombing Hezbollah's facilities on the outskirts of South Beirut, killing Hezbollah's prominent leader in Lebanon, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, along with several senior commanders. With the death of Hasan Nasrallah, Iran was forced to show more support for Hezbollah by increasing the supply of weapons, including Falaq-2 rockets and kamikaze drones, which allowed Hezbollah to attack targets in central Israel, such as Haifa and Tel Aviv. Israel continued to attack Lebanon, which resulted in the deaths of more than 3,000 Lebanese, including more than 2,000 Hezbollah fighters, while more than 13,000 people were injured. Additionally, 1.2 million Lebanese were displaced, primarily those residing in southern Lebanon and Beirut. In April 2024, Israel stepped up its attack on Iranian interests by bombing the Iranian embassy in Syria, which killed the commander of the Quds Force, Mohammad Reza Zahedi, forcing Iran to respond by launching missiles from Iranian territory into Israel. However, whether intentionally or unintentionally, no Israeli was killed, and for more than a year after that, the situation between Iran and Israel calmed down. However, on June 13, 2025, despite ongoing indirect negotiations between the US and Iran in Oman regarding its nuclear programme, Israel suddenly attacked Iran. It killed several top Iranian military leaders and two nuclear scientists. It also attacked the Iranian nuclear facility complex in Natanz. Israel's stated reason for its latest attack was to thwart Iran's efforts to develop a nuclear bomb, claiming that Iran now has enough material to build 15 nuclear bombs `in a matter of days' and was, therefore, a threat to Israel, a threat that needed to be eliminated immediately, a view that was not shared by many US leaders who felt that Iran would need many more years to develop a nuclear bomb. Iran responded by attacking Israel with rockets and missiles. The ensuing tit-for-tat actions over the following days have resulted in the deaths of more than 200 Iranians and more than 20 Israelis as of June 17, 2025. There is a strong possibility that the conflict will worsen due to the factors discussed below. Domestic Political Factors in Israel Many Israelis themselves believe that an essential factor why Benjamin Netanyahu decided to attack Iran was to ensure his well-being since he is currently facing corruption charges, which can lead to his being imprisoned. However, by initiating a direct war with Iran, his trial will have to be postponed indefinitely. Additionally, most Israelis also oppose his efforts to implement judicial reforms aimed at strengthening his political position. His coalition government is currently very fragile and could collapse at anytime. A few days before he ordered the attack on Iran, the Israeli parliament was almost dissolved. The war with Iran will reduce the likelihood of the collapse of his government because it forces all Israelis to rally behind him to fight a common enemy. Future Possible Scenario The Iranian government has never been interested in directly attacking Israel because of the costs that the country will incur. It also knows it cannot afford to continue the current war and is hoping Israel will stop its attacks. It has already stated that it is willing to stop its retaliatory attacks on Israel if Israel stops attacking it. However, as stated above, Netanyahu is eager to continue the war in support of his agenda, even though he knows Israel cannot afford to continue the war. Therefore, an integral part of Netanyahu's plan is to draw the US into the war, thereby reducing the burden of the war for Israel. Moreover, Israel seems keen to affect a regime change in Iran by inflicting maximum damage on the country. They are hoping the Iranians who hate the Iranian government will seize the opportunity to take over the reins of power. Currently, it is already using Iranian dissident groups within Iran which are opposed to the Iranian government to carry out bombing attacks on its behalf. The Iranian military has captured some of them. Ordinary Iranians who hitherto had hated the Iranian government are now rallying behind it because of nationalistic sentiments. Moreover, the deaths of hundreds of ordinary Iranians due to the Israeli bombings will serve to strengthen their support of the government. They will not help Israel to achieve its objective of `regime change'. Implications for the Situation in Palestine This conflict between Iran and Israel will not produce any sudden changes in Palestine. Israel continues to commit its crime of genocide in Gaza with impunity. The world's attention that has been diverted to this conflict has made it easier for Israel to continue killing more Palestinians. However, in the long run, this war will be detrimental to Israel because the perception among the American people towards Israel is increasingly negative. Israel is seen as a country that is not only inhumane for killing women and children in Gaza, but it also likes to fight other countries. Moreover, the recent statements by Netanyahu imploring the US to support Israeli in its current war with Iran are making more Americans, including those on the right wing of the political divide, be more vocal in warning Trump to remember his promise to his supporters that the US under him will not be involved in endless wars in far-flung places. Notable figures like Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Green have made it their mission to stop the US from supporting Israel with weapons and money. Most Americans, especially those who are suffering from cost-of-living problems, are increasingly disgusted with the fact that their money is being used to fund Israel to kill more innocent women and children in Iran and Palestine. Conclusion Israel's attack on Iran is the culmination of a decades-long conflict between the two countries. Several factors contribute to what is happening, namely, Israel's concerns about Iran's nuclear weapons, Netanyahu's personal and political agenda, the struggle for regional influence through proxies and the failure of international diplomacy. In the short run, both Iran and Israel will suffer huge losses from this war. However, in the long run, Israel will suffer more due to the erosion of support from the American public. Many Americans, including among the right-wingers, are disgusted with Netanyahu's instigation to get America to be involved in the war and continue to support its endless wars against neighbouring countries. Since the ability of the Israeli military depends entirely on support from the United States, any reduction in American support for Israel will mean that the chances of the Palestinians being free from the oppressive Zionist grip on them will become brighter. From this perspective, despite the tragedy of the loss of so many innocent lives, the ongoing war between Iran and Israel is good for the future of Palestine. Emeritus Professor Mohd Nazari Ismail is the director of Hashim Sani Centre for Palestine Studies at Business and Economics Faculty of Universiti Malaya. The opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Sinar Daily.
Sinar Daily
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
Iran's Khamenei vows 'no mercy' for Israel leaders
Israel last week launched an unprecedented bombing campaign hitting Iranian nuclear and military facilities, as well as residential areas. 18 Jun 2025 04:44pm A handout picture provided by the Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's office shows him waving during a ceremony on the occasion of 36rd death anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in Tehran on June 4, 2025. Khamenei vowed on June 18, 2025 that his country would show no mercy towards Israel's rulers, hours after US President Donald Trump demanded Tehran's "unconditional surrender". (Photo by / AFP) TEHRAN - Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed on Wednesday that his country would show no mercy towards Israel's rulers, hours after US President Donald Trump demanded Tehran's "unconditional surrender". "We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy," Khamenei posted on X. This handout picture provided by the Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's office shows him speaking during a ceremony on the occasion of 36rd death anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (portrait), in Tehran on June 4, 2025. (Photo by / AFP) Israel last week launched an unprecedented bombing campaign hitting Iranian nuclear and military facilities, as well as residential areas. Iran has responded by launching missiles and drones, and early Wednesday said it had fired hypersonic missiles at Israel. On Tuesday, Trump demanded the Islamic republic's "unconditional surrender" and boasted that the United States could easily assassinate Khamenei. - AFP More Like This
New York Post
18-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Iran threatens US involvement will lead to ‘all-out war' — as Tehran reportedly prepping to strike American military bases
Iran bluntly threatened the US on Wednesday that any involvement in its conflict with Israel would trigger an 'all-out war' — as Tehran reportedly started prepping missiles for retaliatory strikes on American bases. 'Any American intervention would be a recipe for an all-out war in the region,' foreign ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, warned in an interview with Al Jazeera. The foreign ministry spokesman stopped short of elaborating but thousands of American troops are based in nearby countries within range of Iran's weapons. 4 A handout picture provided by the Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's office shows him greeting the crowd. via Getty Images 4 Iran State Radio and Television (IRIB) building was hit by an Israeli strike. BERNO/SIPA/Shutterstock Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei echoed the threat on Wednesday, warning that any US strike would have 'serious irreparable consequences.' Khamenei vowed, too, that Iran would 'never surrender' and said his country 'does not answer well to threats' as he rejected President Trump's earlier call for an unconditional surrender. 'Intelligent people who know Iran, the Iranian nation, and its history will never speak to this nation in threatening language because the Iranian nation will not surrender,' he said in a statement read out on state media. 'The Americans should know that any U.S. military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage.' 4 Esmail Baghaei, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, at a press conference. Foreign Ministry of Iran Iran's spate of menacing remarks came after American officials told the New York Times that Tehran had already started preparing missiles to strike US bases in the Middle East if they joined the war — starting with those in Iraq. Iran could also mine the Strait of Hormuz — a move that would trap American warships in the Persian Gulf, the officials said. It comes after Trump demanded late Tuesday that Iran surrender and warned the supreme leader that the US knew where he was hiding. 'We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there – We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,' Trump said in a Truth Social post. 4 The Iron Dome intercepts missiles being fired from Iran. ABIR SULTAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock 'But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin. Thank you for your attention to this matter!' Thousands of people were fleeing Tehran on Wednesday after Israeli warplanes bombed the city overnight. Israel's military said 50 Israeli jets had struck around 20 targets in Tehran, including sites producing raw materials, components and manufacturing systems for missiles. Iran retaliated with a small barrage of missiles aimed at the Jewish state. With Post wires
