live Middle East tensions simmer as U.S.–Iran talks loom and strike kills 13- Friday, 10 April
Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's Pres...
Iran would retaliate by striking U.S. military bases across the Middle East if it comes under attack by American forces, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday (7 January), stressing that such action should not be seen as targeting the countries hosting those bases.
Araghchi made the remarks a day after Iran and the United States agreed to continue indirect nuclear talks following what both sides described as constructive discussions in Oman.
He said no date had yet been set for the next round, although U.S. President Donald Trump suggested talks could take place early next week.
The comments come amid a heightened U.S. military presence in the region, including naval and air deployments, and renewed pressure from Washington for Tehran to halt uranium enrichment, curb ballistic missile development and end support for regional armed groups.
Iran has repeatedly rejected those demands, saying negotiations must remain limited to its nuclear programme.
Araghchi said Iran would not negotiate under threats or military pressure, warning that any new U.S. attack would be met with retaliation.
He pointed to last year’s escalation, when Iran launched missiles at a U.S. base in Qatar after American and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, including nuclear-related facilities. Tehran said at the time it had sought to avoid civilian casualties and regional escalation.
Tensions remain high across the Middle East as regional allies of Iran, including armed groups in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, continue to clash with U.S. and Israeli forces, raising concerns that any direct confrontation between Washington and Tehran could rapidly widen into a broader conflict.
Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and says recognition of its right to enrich uranium under international oversight is a core condition for any agreement, insisting its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes only.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has given an instruction for Israel to begin peace talks with Lebanon that would also include the disarming of Hezbollah.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to continue dialogue and avoid steps that could worsen tensions after China-hosted talks in Urumqi, with Kabul and Beijing saying the meetings focused on easing differences and improving relations.
Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's President said an Israeli strike killed 13 security personnel in Nabatieh.
Memorial events were held in Tehran’s main squares on Wednesday (8 April) to mark the 40th day since the killing of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died during U.S.-Israeli attacks on 28 February.
Dubai has restricted foreign airlines to one daily flight to its airports until 31 May due to the Iran crisis, raising fears of significant revenue losses for Indian carriers, industry letters show.
Afghanistan’s foreign ministry says the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged continued cooperation after talks in Kabul on aid coordination, bilateral ties and job creation.
Uzbekistan is advancing plans to reduce the state’s role in the economy while introducing a VAT refund system for foreign visitors, as part of broader efforts to attract investment and boost tourism.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the president of Kazakhstan, said on Friday (10 April) that a parliamentary election in the Central Asian country would take place in August but stopped short of naming an exact date.
Lebanon is sliding deeper into a food security crisis as ongoing regional conflict disrupts supply routes and drives up the cost of basic goods, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned.
Thousands of Palestinians returned to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem after Israel lifted a 40-day ban that had left one of Islam’s holiest sites largely closed.
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