Latest news with #MiddleEastStability
South China Morning Post
05-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
China's Wang Yi calls for ‘new international agreement' on Iran after US, Israeli attacks
China's top diplomat Wang Yi has called for a 'new international agreement' on Iran while accusing the United States and Israel of destabilising the Middle East through military actions on Iranian nuclear facilities. Speaking at a joint press conference with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris on Friday, Wang also voiced deep concerns about escalating tensions in the region and warned of the looming spectre of a 'nuclear disaster'. His remarks came as Beijing, a key ally of an increasingly isolated Tehran, intensified its criticism of the US and Israel following last month's pre-emptive strikes on Iranian personnel and nuclear facilities. China has also continued to style itself as a responsible power and key mediator. Wang, who is currently on a European tour , reaffirmed that China valued Iran's repeated pledges not to develop nuclear weapons, while also respecting its right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. 'On this basis, relevant parties should accelerate negotiations towards a new international agreement to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, and place Iran's nuclear activities fully under the strict supervision and safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),' he said without further elaboration, according to China's foreign ministry. 'The road to peace lies beneath our feet, and history will judge each party's sincerity.'
Zawya
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Egypt: President El-Sisi Speaks with President of Ukraine Zelensky
Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a phone call from President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said the two Presidents discussed the latest developments in the Russian-Ukrainian crisis. President El-Sisi emphasized the crucial importance of reaching diplomatic and political solutions, stressing the imperative to prioritize dialogue as a means of resolving the current crisis. The President reaffirmed Egypt's full support for all efforts aimed at reaching a peaceful settlement at the earliest time possible. The call also focused on developments in the Middle East and ways to restore regional stability. The two sides underscored the necessity of upholding the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, affirming the urgent need to resume negotiations as a pathway to a peaceful resolution of the crisis. President El-Sisi also reviewed Egypt's ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and ensure the delivery of desperately-needed humanitarian aid and assistance. President El-Sisi and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy also tackled ways to strengthen bilateral relations and explored prospects for cooperation across various fields, particularly in the economic, trade, and investment sectors, in a manner that serves the interests of both countries and their peoples. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Asharq Al-Awsat
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
European Leaders: Iran Must Not Take Destabilizing Action
The leaders of Britain, France and Germany on Sunday urged Iran not to take any actions that would further destabilize the region following US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities overnight. "We have consistently been clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon and can no longer pose a threat to regional security," the government heads of Germany, Britain, France, known as the E3, said in a joint statement. "We call upon Iran to engage in negotiations leading to an agreement that addresses all concerns associated with its nuclear program. We stand ready to contribute to that goal in coordination with all parties." The E3 also confirmed their support for the security of Israel, the statement said. US forces struck Iran's three main nuclear sites, President Donald Trump said late on Saturday, warning Tehran it would face more devastating attacks if it does not agree to peace. "We will continue our joint diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions and ensure the conflict does not intensify and spread further," the E3 statement said.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Starmer calls for ‘diplomatic solution' after US strikes Iran
Sir Keir Starmer has called for restraint after Donald Trump launched US air strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. The Prime Minister said Iran's nuclear programme is a 'grave threat' which the US military action would 'alleviate'. There was no British involvement in the action but the Government was informed in advance of the strikes, which involved B-2 stealth bombers and submarine-launched missiles. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary David Lammy had sought to persuade Mr Trump's administration from holding off on joining Israel in striking Iran, arguing for de-escalation and a diplomatic process. But Mr Trump pushed ahead with the action anyway, which he claimed had 'completely and fully obliterated' key nuclear facilities. Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat. The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call… — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 22, 2025 The Prime Minister said: 'Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. 'Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat. 'The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. 'We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.' Cabinet minister Jonathan Reynolds would not say the UK supported the military action nor whether he believed the US strikes were legal. Asked on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg if the US action was a good thing, he said: 'The outcome. It isn't the means by which anyone in the British Government would have wanted to see this occur.' Pushed on whether the US strike was legal, he said: 'It is where we are today.' He said it would be 'naive' to think the risk of Iranian-backed terrorism in the UK will not increase as a result of the US and Israeli action. The Business Secretary told Sky News: 'This is not hypothetical. There is not a week goes by without some sort of Iranian cyber attack on a key part of UK critical national infrastructure. 'There is Iranian activity on the streets of the UK, which is wholly unacceptable.' He added: 'It's already at a significant level. I think it would be naive to say that that wouldn't potentially increase.' — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 22, 2025 The US attacked Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz which are linked to Iran's nuclear programme. The Tehran regime has insisted its nuclear programme is peaceful but its uranium enrichment process has gone far beyond what is required for power stations. In an address to the nation from the White House, Mr Trump warned there could be further strikes if Iran retaliates: 'There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran.' The strikes followed a build-up of US military equipment, with B-2 stealth bombers – which are the only aircraft to carry a 30,000-pound bunker buster bomb – reportedly used to target the underground facilities. The aircraft have previously used the UK-US airbase on Diego Garcia, one of the Chagos Islands, but it is understood that was not involved in these strikes. The attack on Iran also involved US submarines, which launched around 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles. Mr Trump's move towards military action came despite Sir Keir's pleas for diplomacy and his repeated calls for de-escalation. On Thursday the Prime Minister warned of a 'real risk of escalation' in the conflict, adding there had previously been 'several rounds of discussions' with Washington and 'that, to me, is the way to resolve this issue'. Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of #Iran concerning the #UnitedStates military aggression against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the… — Foreign Ministry, Islamic Republic of Iran 🇮🇷 (@IRIMFA_EN) June 22, 2025 The Foreign Secretary urged the US to pull back from the brink on a visit to Washington for talks with counterpart Marco Rubio before heading to talks with Iran on Friday alongside European allies. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'By targeting Iran's nuclear sites, the US has taken decisive action against a regime that fuels global terror and directly threatens the UK. 'Iranian operatives have plotted murders and attacks on British soil. We should stand firmly with the US and Israel.' By targeting Iran's nuclear sites, the US has taken decisive action against a regime that fuels global terror and directly threatens the UK. Iranian operatives have plotted murders and attacks on British soil. We should stand firmly with the US and Israel. — Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) June 22, 2025 Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also backed Mr Trump's decision to strike Iran. He said: 'Iran must not be allowed to have nuclear weapons, the future of Israel depends on it.' Scotland's First Minister John Swinney called for diplomacy, saying the Middle East conflict has reached 'an alarmingly greater level of danger after the US attacks on Iran'. Iran launched a ballistic missile barrage against Israel in retaliation to the US action. The foreign ministry in Tehran issued a statement condemning 'the United States' brutal military aggression against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities'. It added: 'The Islamic Republic of Iran is resolved to defend Iran's territory, sovereignty, security and people by all force and means against the United States' criminal aggression.'
Wall Street Journal
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
U.K.'s Starmer Urges Iran to Return to Negotiating Table After U.S. Strike
The U.K. offered a show of support for the U.S. action in Iran, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer describing Iran's nuclear program as a grave threat to international security and urging Tehran's leaders to return to the negotiating table. 'Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the U.S. has taken action to alleviate the threat,' Starmer said. 'The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.'
