BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP) — Iran’s foreign minister on Tuesday hailed talks with the EU to try to find a way to rescue the Iran nuclear deal after the US pulled out as a “good start”. “I believe it’s a good start. We’re not there, we’re beginning the process,” Mohammad Javad Zarif told reporters after meeting his French, British and German counterparts in Brussels. The three European signatories to the landmark 2015 deal are leading international efforts to […]
Tag: Iran
Iran FM in Moscow as Russia moves to save nuclear deal
by Theo Merz Agence France Presse MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Iran’s foreign minister said on a visit to Moscow Monday he was seeking “assurances” from the backers of the country’s nuclear deal after the United States pulled out. Russia is trying to keep the landmark 2015 accord alive in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s decision, pushing Moscow into rare cooperation with Europe. “The final aim of these negotiations is to seek assurances that […]
French FM slams ‘unacceptable’ US sanctions on Iran
PARIS, France (AFP) — France’s foreign minister on Thursday condemned the United States for reimposing sanctions against foreign companies trading with Iran, labelling the move “unacceptable” in comments that expose the deepening rift between Washington and its European allies on the issue. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump announced he was pulling out of a landmark deal curbing Iran’s nuclear program and reintroducing sanctions on the Islamic republic and those who trade with it. The decision […]
US says Iran nuclear inspections must continue
by Andrew Beatty Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The White House wants intrusive inspections of Iran’s nuclear sites to continue despite President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from a landmark accord on Tehran’s atomic program, US officials have told AFP. Days after the US president walked away from a three-year-old deal that mandated rigorous scrutiny of Iranian facilities, senior administration officials said monitoring should continue regardless. Known officially as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the […]
Putin voices ‘deep concern’ at Trump Iran move: Kremlin
by Anna Malpas © Agence France-Presse MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks, after expressing his “deep concern” over US President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. Netanyahu, who has backed Trump’s decision on Iran, Israel’s arch-foe, said after the meeting that he shared his “views on issues that include Iran’s secret nuclear archive” and the “current tension” with the Russian leader. “I […]
Iranian forces fire on Israeli positions in Golan: Israeli army
JERUSALEM, Undefined (AFP) — Iranian forces in Syria have fired around 20 rockets and missiles at Israeli army positions in the part of the Golan Heights occupied by Israel, the Israeli army said early Thursday. The missiles, some of which were intercepted by Israel’s anti-missile system, did not cause any casualties, army spokesman lieutenant-colonel Jonathan Conricus told journalists. He added that the Israeli army responded, but did not explain the nature of the retaliation. The […]
Anger, dismay, support: how the world sees US withdrawal from Iran deal
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal prompted a furious reaction in Tehran, regret in Europe and cheers from Israel and Saudi Arabia. The following is a selection of reactions from around the globe to Trump’s biggest foreign policy move since taking office: ‘Psychological warfare’ “This decision was an act of psychological warfare against Iran.” — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Uranium enrichment to resume? “I […]
Trump withdraws from Iran deal, defying allies
by Andrew BEATTY / and Dave CLARK Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of a landmark deal curbing Iran’s nuclear program and reimposed crippling sanctions on Tuesday, defying European pleas and prompting international outcry. Trump poured scorn on the “disastrous” 2015 accord, describing it as an “embarrassment” to the United States that does nothing to contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “I am announcing today that the […]
Iran warns US it would regret quitting nuclear deal
TEHRAN, Iran (AFP)– Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that if the United States quits the nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers then Washington would regret it “like never before”. US President Donald Trump has threatened to abandon the agreement when it comes up for renewal on May 12, demanding his country’s European allies “fix the terrible flaws” or he will re-impose sanctions. “If the United States leaves the nuclear agreement, you will […]
Iran bans use of popular Telegram messaging app
TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — Iran’s judiciary on Monday banned the hugely popular Telegram messaging app, which the authorities have accused of allowing armed opposition groups to fuel unrest. A judge in Tehran gave “the order to interrupt Telegram”, the judiciary’s Mizan Online news agency said. The move comes on the heels of a recent presidential directive banning all government workers from using foreign messenger apps to communicate. Telegram, built by Russian tech guru Pavel Durov, […]
Netanyahu says has new ‘proof’ of Iran nuclear weapons programme
by Mike Smith Agence France Presse JERUSALEM, Israel (AFP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address Monday he had new “proof” of an Iranian nuclear weapons plan that could be activated at any time, as the US considers whether to pull out of the atomic accord with Tehran. But while Netanyahu accused Israel’s main enemy Iran of lying about its nuclear ambitions, he did not provide evidence that it had actively […]
Tehran dismisses Pompeo’s ‘unfounded’ accusations
TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — Iran on Monday dismissed “unfounded” accusations by new US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over its “ambition to dominate the Middle East.” Pompeo lashed out at Tehran on Sunday during a rapid tour of Middle East allies ahead of a crucial White House decision on whether to quit a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. Speaking during a visit to Iran’s arch-rival and key US ally Saudi Arabia just days after […]





