Rally in Tel Aviv calls for return of deceased hostage Ran Gvili
Hundreds of people gathered for a second consecutive week at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, on Friday (12 December), to support the family of Master Sg...
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned on Sunday that dialogue with the United States is off the table until Washington makes significant policy changes, according to state media.
Tehran received a letter from Trump earlier this month, giving Iran two months to decide whether to enter new talks or face even tougher sanctions. While Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed the offer as deceptive, Araqchi indicated that Iran would soon respond to both the threats and the opportunities outlined in the letter.
“Talks are not off the table out of stubbornness,” Araqachi said on Sunday, adding that historical experience has shown the need for change. “Washington needs to recalibrate its policy before we take part in any negotiations.” The minister emphasized that the 2015 nuclear pact, in its current form, no longer meets Tehran’s interests due to the significant advances in its nuclear program. “Our nuclear situation has advanced significantly and we can no longer return to previous conditions,” he said, noting that the existing deal cannot simply be revived.
Araqachi also pointed out that the current U.S. sanctions, part of Trump’s aggressive tariff and pressure campaign, contribute to the impasse. Nonetheless, he maintained that the 2015 nuclear agreement could still serve as a useful basis and model for future negotiations if both sides address their respective issues.
Western powers have long accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons by enriching uranium up to 60% purity—a level deemed excessive for civilian purposes. Tehran, however, insists that its nuclear development is solely for peaceful purposes and that it remains committed to its international legal obligations.
As diplomatic tensions persist, Araqachi’s comments underscore Tehran’s readiness to negotiate only if there is a fundamental shift in U.S. policy—a signal that any future talks over Iran’s nuclear program will require substantial concessions from Washington.
Japan has lifted a tsunami advisory issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the country's northeastern region on Friday (12 December), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA had earlier put the earthquake's preliminary magnitude at 6.7.
Iran is preparing to host a multilateral regional meeting next week in a bid to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as Washington ramps up pressure on Caracas.
The resignation of Bulgaria's government on Thursday (11 December) puts an end to an increasingly unpopular coalition but is likely to usher in a period of prolonged political instability on the eve of the Black Sea nation's entry into the euro zone.
An extratropical cyclone has caused widespread disruption across Brazil’s São Paulo state, with powerful winds toppling trees and power lines, blocking streets and leaving large parts of the region without electricity.
Britain’s King Charles III said on Friday, 12 December, that his cancer treatment is expected to be reduced in the coming year, using a televised address to urge people across the country to take part in cancer screening programmes, officials confirmed.
Talks aimed at ending the war between Ukraine and Russia are set to continue in Berlin this weekend, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior European leaders, a U.S. official said.
Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat said Friday that discussions in Washington with U.S. officials have strengthened efforts to expand bilateral trade, moving closer to a $100 billion target.
Lebanon is prepared to demarcate its border with Syria, President Joseph Aoun said on Friday, while noting that the dispute over the Shebaa Farms could be addressed at a later stage.
Greek farmers blocked the Port of Thessaloniki on Friday (12 December) as part of nationwide protests demanding delayed European Union subsidies and compensation for rising production costs and livestock losses.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment