Latest news with #EsmaeilBaqaei
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Iran blames EU for nuclear deal collapse
EU to impose new sanctions on Iran due to missile transfers to Russia. PHOTO: PIXABAY Tehran blamed European powers on Monday for the failure of a landmark 2015 nuclear deal, accusing them of breaking commitments ahead of renewed talks in Istanbul with Britain, France and Germany. The 2015 agreement -- reached between Iran and UN Security Council permanent members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, plus Germany -- imposed curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. However, it unravelled in 2018 when the United States, during Donald Trump's first term as president, unilaterally withdrew and reimposed sweeping sanctions. Though Europe pledged continued support, a mechanism intended to offset US sanctions never effectively materialised, forcing many Western firms to exit Iran and deepening its economic crisis. "Iran holds the European parties responsible for negligence in implementing the agreement," said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei ahead of Friday's talks in Istanbul with Britain, France and Germany on the deal's future. AFP
NDTV
2 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
Ahead Of New Talks, Iran Blames Europeans For Nuclear Deal Collapse
Tehran: Tehran blamed European powers on Monday for the failure of a landmark 2015 nuclear deal, accusing them of breaking commitments ahead of renewed talks in Istanbul with Britain, France and Germany. The 2015 agreement -- reached between Iran and UN Security Council permanent members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, plus Germany -- imposed curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. However, it unravelled in 2018 when the United States, during Donald Trump's first term as president, unilaterally withdrew and reimposed sweeping sanctions. Though Europe pledged continued support, a mechanism intended to offset US sanctions never effectively materialised, forcing many Western firms to exit Iran and deepening its economic crisis. "Iran holds the European parties responsible for negligence in implementing the agreement," said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei ahead of Friday's talks in Istanbul with Britain, France and Germany on the deal's future. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan spoke by phone Monday to discuss the talks, Fidan's office said, confirming the date had been set for Friday. Iran will also host a trilateral meeting today with Chinese and Russian representatives to discuss the nuclear issue and potential sanctions. The Chinese foreign ministry said Beijing would "continue to play a constructive role in pushing relevant sides to restart dialogue and negotiations, and reach a solution that takes in account the legitimate concerns of all parties". In recent weeks, the three European powers have threatened to reimpose international sanctions on Tehran, accusing it of breaching its nuclear commitments. Germany said the Istanbul talks would be at the expert level, with the European trio, or E3, working "flat out" to find a sustainable and verifiable diplomatic solution. "If no solution is reached by the end of August... the snapback also remains an option for the E3," said its foreign ministry spokesman, Martin Giese. A clause in the 2015 agreement allows for UN sanctions on Iran to be reimposed through a "snapback" mechanism in the event of non-compliance. However, the agreement expires in October, leaving a tight deadline. - 'No intention of speaking with America' - The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed country currently enriching uranium to 60 percent -- far beyond the 3.67 percent cap set by the 2015 accord. That is a short step from the 90 percent enrichment required for a nuclear weapon. Using the snapback clause was "meaningless, unjustifiable and immoral", Baqaei told a news conference, arguing that Iran only began distancing itself from the agreement in response to Western non-compliance. "Iran's reduction of its commitments was carried out in accordance with the provisions outlined in the agreement," he said. Western powers -- led by the United States and backed by Israel -- have long accused Tehran of secretly seeking nuclear weapons. Iran has repeatedly denied this, insisting its nuclear programme is solely for civilian purposes such as energy production. Tehran and Washington had held five rounds of nuclear talks starting in April, but a planned meeting on June 15 was cancelled after Israel launched strikes on Iran, triggering a 12-day conflict. "At this stage, we have no intention of speaking with America," Baqaei said Monday. Israel launched a wave of surprise strikes on its regional nemesis on June 13, targeting key military and nuclear facilities. The United States launched its own strikes against Iran's nuclear programme 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.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Ahead of new talks, Iran blames Europeans for nuclear deal collapse
TEHRAN: Tehran on Monday blamed European powers for the failure of the 2015 nuclear deal, accusing them of breaking commitments ahead of renewed talks in Istanbul with Britain, France and Germany. The 2015 agreement – reached between Iran and UN Security Council permanent members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, plus Germany – imposed curbs on Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. However, it unravelled in 2018 when the United States, during Donald Trump's first term as president, unilaterally withdrew from the accord and reimposed sweeping sanctions. Though Europe pledged continued support, the mechanism to offset US sanctions never effectively materialised, forcing many Western firms to exit Iran and deepening its economic crisis. European powers plan fresh nuclear talks with Iran: German diplomatic source 'Iran holds the European parties responsible for negligence in implementing the agreement,' said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei ahead of Friday's talks in Istanbul with Britain, France and Germany on the deal's future. Tehran will also host a trilateral meeting Tuesday with Chinese and Russian representatives to discuss the nuclear issue and potential sanctions. The Chinese foreign ministry said Beijing would 'continue to play a constructive role in pushing relevant sides to restart dialogue and negotiations, and reach a solution that takes in account the legitimate concerns of all parties'. In recent weeks, the three European powers have threatened to reimpose international sanctions on Tehran, accusing it of breaching its nuclear commitments. Germany said the Istanbul talks would be at the expert level, with the European trio working 'flat out' to find a sustainable and verifiable diplomatic solution. 'If no solution is reached by the end of August… the snapback also remains an option for the E3,' said its foreign ministry spokesman, Martin Giese. A clause in the 2015 agreement allows for UN sanctions on Iran to be reimposed through a 'snapback' mechanism in the event of non-compliance. However, the agreement expires in October, leaving a tight deadline. 'No intention of speaking with America' The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed country currently enriching uranium to 60 percent – far beyond the 3.67 percent cap set by the 2015 accord. That is a short step from the 90 percent enrichment required for a nuclear weapon. Using the snapback clause was 'meaningless, unjustifiable and immoral', Baqaei told a news conference, arguing that Iran only began distancing itself from the agreement in response to Western non-compliance. 'Iran's reduction of its commitments was carried out in accordance with the provisions outlined in the agreement,' he said. Western powers – led by the United States and backed by Israel, Iran's arch-enemy – have long accused Tehran of secretly seeking nuclear weapons capability. Iran has repeatedly denied this, insisting its nuclear programme is solely for civilian purposes such as energy production. Tehran and Washington had held five rounds of nuclear talks since April, but a planned meeting on June 15 was cancelled after Israel launched strikes on Iran on June 13, triggering a 12-day conflict. 'At this stage, we have no intention of speaking with America,' Baqaei said Monday. Israel launched on June 13 a wave of surprise strikes on its regional nemesis, targeting key military and nuclear facilities. The United States launched its own set of strikes against Iran's nuclear programme 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.
Shafaq News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
World offers condolences for Iraq's tragedy
Shafaq News – Baghdad Several countries and international organizations, including Turkiye, Russia, Iran, the United States, France, Lebanon, and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), extended condolences to Iraq following the deadly fire in Wasit. The blaze, which broke out inside a crowded hypermarket in the city of Kut, claimed the lives of more than 60 people, including women and children. Dozens more were injured, many trapped by the flames before rescue teams could intervene. Here are the official statements of condolence: – Turkiye's Foreign Ministry: Regarding the Fire in Iraq's Wasit Province — Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) July 17, 2025 – Russia's Embassy in Iraq: تعرب سفارة روسيا الاتحادية لدى جمهورية العراق بخالص التعازي وصادق المواساة إلى الشعب العراقي الصديق وخاصة لأهل واسط المحترم في فاجعة الكوت الأليمة اننا نتمنى الشفاء العاجل للمصابين ونشارك الم فقدان الأرواح الأبرياء والخسارة المأسوية الموجعة التي تعرضت لها عوائل الضحايا الكريمة — Russia in Iraq (@RusEmbassyIraq) July 17, 2025 – Iran's Foreign Ministry: The Islamic Republic of Iran offers its heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the fire incident in neighboring #Iraq 's eastern city of Kut. We express our deepest sympathy and solidarity with the people and Government of our… — Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) July 17, 2025 – United States Embassy in Iraq: تتقدم بعثة الولايات المتحدة في العراق بأحر التعازي وأصدق مشاعر المواساة إلى أسر وأحباء الضحايا الذين فقدوا أرواحهم في الحريق المدمر الذي اندلع الليلة الماضية في مركز تجاري بوسط مدينة الكوت. نعرب عن عميق حزننا لفقدان الأرواح والإصابات، ونتمنى الشفاء العاجل للجرحى. — U.S. Embassy Baghdad (@USEmbBaghdad) July 17, 2025 – France: اتقدم بخالص التعازي لأسر وأقارب ضحايا الحريق الذي وقع صباح اليوم في الكوت مركز محافظة واسط. اتمنى الشفاء العاجل للمصابين. تعرب سفارة فرنسا عن تضامنها التام مع الشعب العراقي. July 17, 2025 — UNAMI (@UNIraq) July 17, 2025
Gulf Today
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Iran demands guarantees before returning to nuclear negotiating table
In response to a question about whether Iran has specific preconditions for resuming negotiations with the United States, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said any talks should not be held in 'deception.' 'We will not enter into such a process until we are sure of the effectiveness of diplomacy and the negotiation process,' Esmaeil Baqaei stressed, adding that diplomacy should not be stigmatised but should be used as 'a tool and an opportunity.' Addressing a weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday, he emphasised that no one has the right to deprive Iran of this tool to explain its point of view, defend its interests. According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Baqaei has once again warned the European signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal against using the so-called snapback mechanism that would re-impose UN sanctions on Iran if activated. Baqaei said that resorting to a mechanism, which was included in the UN Security Council's Resolution 2231 endorsing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for specific reasons, lacks any legal, political, or moral basis. Baqaei touched on the approach of China and Russia, saying the two friendly nations have always been ready to help resolve the Iranian nuclear issue. He denied any specific proposal or a package from Moscow and Beijing but said that they remain in contact such as during the BRICS Summit or as Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has travelled to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Ministerial Meeting, which will be a good opportunity to continue consultations. WAM
