live U.S. pressure on Iran intensifies as sanctions and blockade take hold
U.S. efforts to squeeze Iran’s economy through an oil blockade and sanctions are becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to withstand, acc...
President Donald Trump said the United States and Iran have “sort of” agreed on terms for a nuclear deal, signaling potential progress in long-standing negotiations - but with military threats still on the table if diplomacy fails.
During a business roundtable in Doha, Qatar, on Thursday, US President Donald Trump revealed that the United States and Iran have "sort of" agreed on the terms of a nuclear deal. His comments hint at a possible diplomatic breakthrough, though key issues remain unresolved.
Trump described the ongoing dialogue between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as “very serious negotiations” aimed at achieving long-term peace. “Iran has sort of agreed to the terms: They’re not going to make, I call it, in a friendly way, nuclear dust,” Trump said, suggesting a mutual understanding to avoid nuclear escalation.
Despite the cautious optimism, Trump emphasized throughout his visit to the Gulf region that the possibility of military action remains should talks collapse.
Iranian officials also signaled a willingness to compromise. A senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told NBC News that Tehran could agree to significantly curb its nuclear activities. This includes eliminating stockpiles of weapons-grade uranium, limiting enrichment to levels suitable for civilian energy, and permitting international oversight.
In exchange, Iran is demanding the immediate removal of all economic sanctions - a condition Tehran views as critical to any final agreement.
However, key points of contention remain. Just hours after Trump’s remarks, Araghchi reiterated Iran’s firm stance on uranium enrichment. “We have said repeatedly that defending Iran’s nuclear rights - including enrichment - is a fundamental principle,” he stated. “This is not something we concede, either in public discourse or in negotiations.”
While both sides appear to be inching closer to a deal, deep-rooted distrust and differing interpretations of core rights and obligations continue to challenge the path to a comprehensive agreement.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he thinks there is a chance of a peace being reached with Ukraine. He told the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia that he believed there was "a chance of finding a solution," to the conflict.
The U.S. has launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iran, targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sites as Tehran retaliated against U.S. positions across the region, while Iranian officials said at least five people were killed and dozens wounded at a wedding near Sirik.
The Iranian Health Ministry said at least 18 people were killed and 142 others injured in U.S. airstrikes carried out between 30 August and 2 September.
The European Union's foreign policy chief Kaia Kallas says the bloc will tighten enforcement of sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine. EU foreign ministers were meeting in Ireland following renewed Russian strikes on cities across Ukraine.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 3rd of September, covering the latest developments.
President Donald Trump is leaving more than a paper trail from his time in office. The U.S. is now minting commemorative $1 coins for America’s 250th anniversary, featuring a portrait of the sitting president.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
Pacific Island leaders expressed concern about China's Pacific missile test at their annual summit, though Nauru formally dissented, in a meeting largely overshadowed by Beijing's objections to Taiwan's presence.
China’s southern coastal provinces of Fujian and Guangdong are bracing for more torrential rain after Typhoon Saudel triggered widespread flooding, swept away vehicles and caused a three-storey building to collapse.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 4th of September, covering the latest developments.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment