Iran’s supreme leader dismissed a key U.S. demand to halt uranium enrichment but did not close the door on further negotiations, as nuclear talks continue amid rising regional tensions.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday criticised a U.S.-backed nuclear proposal, rejecting the idea of ending uranium enrichment, which he called vital to Iran’s sovereignty and energy needs. He described the proposal as contrary to Iran’s principle of self-reliance.
“If we do not have enrichment, then we should extend our hand (begging) to the U.S.,” Khamenei said, reiterating that enrichment is central to Iran’s peaceful nuclear ambitions.
Despite the sharp rhetoric, Khamenei did not rule out further dialogue. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed Tehran will issue a formal response soon. Talks are seen as crucial for easing sanctions that have hit Iran’s economy.
Details of the U.S. proposal remain unclear. Reports suggest it includes a nuclear consortium to handle enrichment for Iran and its neighbours, with possible limited enrichment rights for Iran.
President Donald Trump has reinstated his “maximum pressure” campaign, renewing sanctions and warning of military action. Khamenei accused U.S. leaders of seeking to dismantle Iran’s nuclear industry, but his remarks stopped short of ending negotiations.
Experts warn that failure to reach a deal could escalate tensions further, risking conflict and ending cooperation with international nuclear inspectors.
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Leaders of countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have agreed to hold coordinated population censuses around 2030. They took the decision at the CIS Council of Heads of State meeting in Awaza, Turkmenistan on Friday, media reported.
The Saudi-led coalition says it has carried out a series of military operations against Houthi targets in Yemen after attacks on two Saudi airports left three people dead and dozens injured.
Azerbaijan and the five Central Asian states have signed two key documents at the 8th Consultative Meeting of Heads of State in Turkmenbashi, formalising a broader framework for regional cooperation in transport, trade, energy, digitalisation and security.
It started with classrooms. Too many students, not enough teachers, deteriorating buildings and growing anxiety over what comes after high school. But within weeks, a movement that began outside French lycées had spread across the country.
Britain and Israel have reached a temporary compromise over the future of the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem, easing a diplomatic dispute that had threatened to further strain relations between the two countries.
Uzbekistan has unveiled plans to deepen economic ties with Central Asia and Azerbaijan, proposing shared artificial intelligence infrastructure, a critical minerals alliance and a regional trade strategy extending to 2035.
Leaders of countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have agreed to hold coordinated population censuses around 2030. They took the decision at the CIS Council of Heads of State meeting in Awaza, Turkmenistan on Friday, media reported.
Saudi Arabia has restored its vital East-West oil pipeline to near-full capacity, but escalating Houthi attacks on energy facilities, airports and transport infrastructure are raising fresh concerns over the security of its oil exports.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 9 October 2026 with five key developments from the CIS summit in Turkmenistan.
Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority said on Friday that three Saudi nationals were killed and several people were injured in two attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday (8 October).
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