Renewed U.S. engagement puts South Caucasus higher on Washington’s agenda
A renewed wave of U.S. diplomatic activity in the South Caucasus highlights Washington’s growing focus on regional connectivity, trade and security,...
Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has resumed negotiations with Washington "with seriousness and open eyes," stressing that progress depends on genuine commitment from the U.S. Meanwhile, security chief Ali Larijani warned that Israel is seeking to derail the newly resumed talks.
"We have now entered a new negotiation process. If we see seriousness from the other side, Iran is also completely serious and we will move forward on this path," he said after a meeting with Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army Major General Amir Hatami on Tuesday.
“But we will take this path with open eyes, in view of all past experiences, without trusting the other side and with the support of the armed forces,” a Foreign Ministry statement quoted him as saying, referring to the Israel-US invasion of Iran in the middle of nuclear talks last July.
General Mousavi said Iran is fully prepared and added, “We know that the enemy only understands the language of power and learned it in the 12-day war in June 2025.”
“Today, we are at a higher level of defensive readiness and if enemies make a mistake, they will definitely receive a response that they have neither seen nor experienced to this day,” he said.
Seeking a 'fair and equitable' agreement
Following the Iran-US talks last Friday in Oman, Araghchi has held phone contacts with his counterparts from the regional countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.
On Tuesday, he had a phone call with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar during which he explained Iran’s position regarding a “fair and equitable” nuclear agreement.
“In this call, Mr Araghchi explained the process of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States in Muscat and explained our country's positions regarding a fair and equitable agreement,” read a Foreign Ministry press release.
Meanwhile, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani warned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing visit to the United States is an attempt to undermine the talks between Tehran and Washington.
In a post on X, he urged U.S. statesmen to be prudent and not allow Netanyahu to claim that he can lecture them on the nuclear talks.
“Now Netanyahu is on his way to U.S. Americans should think wisely and not let him pose before the flight to suggest that 'I want to go and teach the Americans the framework of nuclear negotiations'.”
Larijani made the remarks following an official visit to Oman as mediator of the Iran-U.S. indirect nuclear negotiations which resumed last Friday, during which he met with Omani Sultan and foreign minister in Muscat.
“They should be vigilant about the destructive role of the Zionists,” Iran’s top security official said.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei echoed Larijani at a weekly press conference warning that Israel is a “spoiler” of any diplomatic process in the region.
According to the Iranian diplomat, “The Zionist regime has repeatedly shown that as a spoiler, it opposes any diplomatic process in our region that leads to peace.”
“It is up to US officials to act independently and not permit others to decide on their foreign policy,” Baghaei added referring to the visit which Premier Netanyahu said will focus on the Iran-US nuclear negotiations.
The U.S. and Iran have reportedly reached a preliminary 60-day ceasefire and nuclear talks deal, pending Donald Trump’s approval, Axios reports. Meanwhile, the GCC condemned Iran’s missile strike on a U.S. airbase in Kuwait, which Tehran said was retaliation for a U.S. strike near Bandar Abbas.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says ongoing conflict, funding pressures and international travel restrictions are complicating efforts to contain a fast-growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz has taken steps towards potentially declaring a state of emergency as anti-government protests intensify in the early months of his administration.
A group of Azerbaijani civil society organisations has called for increased scrutiny of Swiss building materials giant Holcim, citing court rulings and ongoing investigations linked to its subsidiary Lafarge's activities during the Syrian conflict.
Russia and Kazakhstan signed 15 agreements during President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Astana on Thursday (28 May), including deals on Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant and expanded oil cooperation with Russia.
A growing majority of Europeans believe the European Union should pursue a more independent foreign policy and reduce its reliance on the U.S., according to a new survey published on Friday.
An Inca child mummy discovered high in the Andes more than a century ago has been returned to an indigenous community in north-western Argentina after spending 119 years in a museum collection.
India is expected to experience its weakest monsoon in more than a decade in 2026, raising concerns over crop production, food prices and economic growth as the country also grapples with inflationary pressures linked to the Iran conflict.
Kenyan authorities have arrested eight students on suspicion of arson following a fire at a girls’ boarding school that killed 16, according to the country’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations. The blaze, which happened in Kenya's Rift Valley, also injured dozens of students.
The British government has unveiled 300,000 new work experience and training placements for young people after a major review warned that rising youth unemployment could leave more young people disconnected from work, education and training.
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