Tensions rise as Gaza conflict escalates; Germany weighs response
Germany will decide whether to support sanctions against Israel ahead of the European Union (EU) meeting in Copenhagen in October, Chancellor Friedric...
Iran and the United States are set to hold a new round of indirect nuclear talks in Rome on Saturday, as both sides continue to search for a resolution to their decades-long standoff over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
The negotiations will be mediated by an Omani official, who will shuttle messages between U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.
This round follows a productive first round of indirect talks held in Muscat last week, with both sides cautiously optimistic about the potential for progress. However, there have been no direct interactions between U.S. and Iranian officials since 2015, when former President Barack Obama was in office.
In a meeting with his Italian counterpart prior to the talks, Araqchi reiterated Iran's commitment to diplomacy, urging all parties involved to take the opportunity to reach a reasonable and logical nuclear deal. He emphasized that such an agreement must respect Iran's legitimate rights and result in the lifting of sanctions, while addressing concerns about Iran's nuclear activities.
Araqchi further expressed confidence that a deal could be reached if the U.S. adopts a realistic approach. However, Iranian officials have tempered expectations, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei noting that he remains neither overly optimistic nor pessimistic about the outcome.
For his part, U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that his primary goal remains preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, while reiterating his hope for Iran's prosperity. Trump, who withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Tehran, has since revived his "maximum pressure" campaign.
The U.S. seeks an agreement that would halt Iran's production of highly enriched uranium, which Washington believes could be used to build a nuclear bomb. Iran, however, maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful and is willing to negotiate certain limits on its program in exchange for sanctions relief, provided the U.S. offers ironclad guarantees that it will not backtrack again.
While the U.S. and Iran work toward a potential agreement, Israel has not ruled out a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, escalating tensions in the region. Iran has already breached several key limits of the 2015 nuclear deal, including exceeding the agreed-upon levels of uranium enrichment, and insists on keeping its centrifuges intact as part of any agreement.
Russia, a participant in the original nuclear agreement, has offered to assist in mediating the talks, emphasizing its role in facilitating dialogue between Tehran and Washington. As the negotiations unfold, both sides are under increasing pressure to find common ground before tensions escalate further.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
At least eight people have died and more than 90 others were injured following a catastrophic gas tanker explosion on a major highway in Mexico City’s Iztapalapa district on Wednesday, authorities confirmed.
European Union Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, visited the recently liberated village of Sarijali in Aghdam today. During her visit, she inspected mined areas and observed demining operations carried out by the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA).
A meeting of the government leaders of Turkic Council (TCT) member states has begun in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers reported. Prior to the event, Adylbek Kasymaliyev, the Chairman of the Kyrgyz Cabinet and Head of the Presidential Administration, welcomed the heads of the delegations.
Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, has met with EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood, Marta Kos. The Ministry of Economy reported on the meeting.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met in Baku with the European Union Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on the meeting.
Iran and Saudi Arabia – the two power houses in the Middle East -- have decided to advance their bilateral economic and defense ties and to increase cooperation in relation to the regional developments according to Iran’ security chief Ali Larijani.
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