Trump’s approach toward Iran suffers from fundamental contradiction: Hill

Publicizing a letter before it reaches intended recipient is an unusual diplomatic move

TEHRAN - In an opinion piece on March 17, The Hill wrote that Donald Trump’s approach toward Iran “suffers from fundamental contradiction”.

By Thorsten Benner

Germany is rethinking everything nuclear

The incoming German government, rattled by the prospect of U.S. President Donald Trump withdrawing security guarantees, is preparing a fundamental readjustment of its defense posture. The new coalition of Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) has already agreed to push for changes to the debt brake that would pave the way to dramatically higher military spending. Germany’s likely next chancellor, CDU leader Friedrich Merz, stated that “in view of the threats to our freedom and peace on our continent,” the government’s new motto needs to be “whatever it takes.”

Iran blasts The Telegraph for propaganda piece alleging secret push for nuclear weapons

TEHRAN – The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in London has strongly rejected recent allegations published by The Telegraph, dismissing the British newspaper’s claims that Iranian military officials have advised the Leader of the Islamic Revolution to pursue nuclear weapons.

CIA director acknowledges Iran's peaceful nuclear stance

TEHRAN – During a Friday interview with NPR, CIA Director William Burns addressed supposed concerns about Iran's civilian nuclear program, stating, "We do not see any sign today that any such decision has been made" regarding Iran developing a nuclear weapon.

European troika says diplomatic talks with Iran will continue

TEHRAN – Following a meeting with the Iranian delegation in Geneva, the political directors of the foreign ministries of the UK, France, and Germany—who led the push for a recent anti-Iran resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors—confirmed that diplomatic discussions with Iran would remain ongoing.

UK might activate snapback mechanism against Iran, BBC reports

TEHRAN – The UK Foreign Office says is prepared to trigger snapback sanctions against Tehran in a move that reaffirms the West’s continued hostilities against Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.

AEOI chief marks new milestone in Iran’s burgeoning nuclear program

TEHRAN – Mohammad Eslami, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), has inaugurated the nation's first plasma-based processing factory for dry fruits in the southern province of Kerman.

Leader’s advisor says Iran may change nuclear doctrine if threats become ‘existential’

Kharrazi tells Europe Iran may increase the range of its missiles

TEHRAN – Kamal Kharrazi, Iran’s former Foreign Minister and head of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, has clarified that while Iran’s policy against nuclear weapons remains intact, any existential threat to Iran could alter this stance.

Tehran ready to restart nuclear talks if other parties are prepared: FM

TEHRAN – Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has indicated that Tehran is ready to restart nuclear negotiations if the other signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) are also prepared.

Tehran urged IAEA to maintain neutrality in technical matters

TEHRAN- Iranian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, emphasized the importance of addressing technical matters without a political lens. 

IAEA chief signals readiness to re-engage with Iran on nuclear program

TEHRAN – Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has expressed his willingness to reinitiate discussions with Iran’s new government to address lingering concerns over the country’s nuclear program.

‘Nuclear weapons not part of Iran's defense, security strategy’: spox

TEHRAN- Addressing a query regarding the anti-Iranian assertion made by the chair of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee, the spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry stated that nuclear weapons have never been a component of Iran's defense and security strategy.

Russia announces nuclear weapon drills

Russia has said it will hold drills that will include practice for the use of tactical nuclear weapons, days after top European leaders voiced stronger military support for Ukraine.

Putin warns the West: Russia is ready for nuclear war

President Vladimir Putin warned the West on Wednesday Russia was technically ready for nuclear war and that if the U.S. sent troops to Ukraine, it would be considered a significant escalation of the conflict.

Iran kicks off construction of new nuclear plant

TEHRAN – Iran has begun to build a new nuclear power plant in the southern coastal province of Hormozgan with an investment of $15 billion, according to the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).

'Israel must go on trial for perpetrating four intl. crimes in Gaza'

TEHRAN- The Israeli regime should face accountability for the four main crimes it committed against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip during its most recent massive military campaign, according to the deputy foreign minister of Iran.

By Faramarz Kuhpayeh 

How U.S. prevents nuclear-weapon-free-zone in West Asia

TEHRAN - None of the countries in West Asia are averse to clearing the region from nukes. The countries have repeatedly asked for actions that ensure the region would be free of any nuclear weapon.

Iran lost nothing technical in JCPOA: ex-nuclear chief

TEHRAN – Iran accepted some limitations in the nuclear deal, aka the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), but from a technical point of view it did not lose anything, says the former chief of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI).

West resumes talks over how to deal with Iran nuclear issue: FT

The United States and the European trio of Britain, France and Germany have resumed discussions on how to engage with Iran over its nuclear activity.

We have decided to end commotion over our nuclear program: Iran’s nuclear chief 

TEHRAN – Mohammad Eslami, chief of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said in a ceremony in the Amir Kabir University of Technology on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic has decided to end “commotions” over the country’s nuclear program. 

By Mehran Shamsuddin

Unrest fails to impact Iran nuclear redlines

TEHRAN – Iranian officials have reiterated Tehran’s adherence to the redlines on many policy issues amid unconfirmed news about some Western inkling of Iranian leniency on some of those issues due to the unrest in the country.

Nuclear industry invincible, no option other than diplomacy: Iran

TEHRAN - The spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said on Saturday that Tehran’s nuclear industry is completely impervious to attempts to undermine it, stressing that enemies have no option but to pursue diplomacy vis-à-vis the Iranian nuclear issue.

No undeclared nuclear site in Iran, Eslami says

Bogus allegations must end, Iran tells IAEA

TEHRAN – Mohammad Eslami, the chief of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), said on Monday that bogus allegations against Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities must come to an end.

Iran will always be in danger if Safeguards probes are not closed, Raisi says 

TEHRAN - Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Thursday stuck to his position regarding nuclear talks with world powers, saying he saw no point in a deal that did not close investigations by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on claims of undeclared nuclear sites.

Ancient mudbrick minaret restored as routine maintenance

TEHRAN–A team of cultural heritage experts has finished work to restore and strengthen the sole minaret of an ancient mosque that stands tall in the heart of Iran.

Russian foreign minister backs EU proposal to revive JCPOA

TEHRAN – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has endorsed the European Union’s draft text to restore the 2015 nuclear deal, officially called the JCPOA, the Russian ambassador to the IAEA said on Tuesday.

Nuclear chief: Mastering nuclear technology brings power

TEHRAN— Iran’s nuclear chief says that having access to nuclear fuel brings power.