Latest news with #Caspian
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Israel launches fresh attack on missile facilities in Iran; Tehran calls out 'betrayal to diplomacy' by US
Israel intensified its military campaign against Iran targeting missile storage and launch infrastructure across multiple cities. Explosions were reported near Tehran, Rasht and along the Caspian coast, even as US President Donald Trump weighed whether the United States should join the conflict. Tehran has accused Washington of betraying diplomacy by supporting Israeli operations while simultaneously pursuing talks. President Trump gave Iran a two-week deadline to engage meaningfully in negotiations but cast doubt on whether any diplomatic resolution was still possible. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Israel's surprise strikes undermined any remaining trust, calling them a 'betrayal to diplomacy'. Iran has refused to resume nuclear talks unless Israel halts its aggression. 'Real Nightmare Yet To Come': Iran Reveals Big Missile Secret; IRGC's Stunning Israel Declaration As the conflict deepens, missiles have continued to rain on Israeli cities. Fires broke out in Beersheba and Holon after fragments from intercepted projectiles struck residential areas. The death toll from the war, now into its second week, has surpassed 650 in Iran and left dozens dead in Israel. Here are the 10 key developments from the Israel-Iran conflict: Trump signals military action likely if diplomacy fails President Donald Trump suggested time was running out for diplomacy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo 'I'm giving them a period of time and I would say two weeks would be the maximum,' he said, indicating he might approve strikes if Iran did not change course. While reaffirming that he was 'always a peacemaker,' he hinted at tougher steps, particularly targeting the Fordo nuclear facility. Trump dismissed a key intelligence assessment on Iran's nuclear intentions, openly disagreeing with his Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard. Speaking to reporters in New Jersey, Trump said, 'Then my intelligence community was wrong.' When told the assessment had come from Gabbard, he added: 'She's wrong.' Also read: Trump says Tulsi Gabbard was 'wrong' on Iran's nuclear programme Gabbard had earlier told lawmakers that US intelligence agencies believed Iran had 'not made a decision to build a nuclear weapon.' Trump also cast doubt on Iran's civilian nuclear energy claims, questioning the country's intentions: 'They're sitting on top of one of the largest piles of oil in the world. I just don't know why they'd need that for civilian purposes.' Iran's foreign minister says US used talks as 'cover' for Israeli strikes Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi accused the US of deceit. In an interview with NBC, he claimed the US used the upcoming Geneva negotiations as a distraction while Israel launched fresh strikes. 'What they did was in fact a betrayal to diplomacy,' he said. Araghchi insisted that Tehran would not resume talks until the attacks stopped and warned that zero enrichment, as demanded by Trump, was 'impossible'. He said nuclear knowledge was a matter of 'national pride' and 'a legitimate right' under international law. VP Vance says diplomacy window closing fast Vice President JD Vance echoed Trump's urgency, saying diplomacy was on borrowed time. 'He's gonna pursue diplomacy until he thinks that there isn't an opportunity,' Vance said. He acknowledged the President's preference for talks but warned, 'We're running out of time.' Vance added that once the President determined diplomacy had failed, he would 'do what he needs to do.' The Vice President reaffirmed America's readiness to act and pointed out that Iran's actions were eroding any remaining hopes for negotiations. Missile shrapnel sparks fire at Israeli apartment block An apartment block in central Israel caught fire after being hit by debris from an intercepted Iranian missile. Firefighters said the blaze erupted on the rooftop of a four-storey building, likely caused by shrapnel. No injuries were reported, but the incident underscored the risk posed even by failed missile attacks. Israeli emergency agency Magen David Adom confirmed it responded swiftly to the scene. Sirens continued to sound across Israel as Iranian missiles targeted Tel Aviv, Holon, and Beersheba. Iran says attacks must stop before talks can resume Araghchi reiterated that Iran would only return to negotiations if Israel halts its military aggression. 'We're not prepared to negotiate with them anymore, as long as the aggression continues,' he said, adding that Israel's actions violated international law. While European diplomats urged him to continue talks, he said, 'Iran is ready to consider diplomacy if aggression ceases and the aggressor is held accountable. ' He also reaffirmed Iran's position that its nuclear programme was peaceful and its right to enrich uranium was non-negotiable. Nuclear watchdog warns against strike on Iranian reactor Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, cautioned that a strike on Iran's Bushehr reactor would cause a 'very high release of radioactivity.' Though Israel has so far refrained from targeting reactors, Grossi warned against any escalation involving nuclear facilities. He confirmed that Thursday's Israeli strike had damaged key structures at the Arak heavy water reactor, though it posed no contamination risk as the reactor was not operational. Iran continues to enrich uranium up to 60%, a step away from weapons-grade. Israel claims success but braces for prolonged war Israel's Defence Minister and top general both warned that 'difficult days lie ahead,' even as they praised their military's 'significant achievements.' Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir described the campaign as the most complex in Israeli history and warned that it was far from over. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to continue operations 'for as long as it takes' to eliminate Iran's nuclear capabilities. Israeli warplanes struck dozens of targets on Friday, including SPND — a Tehran-based nuclear research centre. Western diplomatic efforts yield no breakthrough A four-hour negotiation in Geneva between Iran's foreign minister and European leaders ended with no concrete progress. While EU diplomats expressed hope for further dialogue, no new date was set. Trump dismissed Europe's role in the talks, saying, 'Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us.' Araghchi suggested Washington may not be serious about diplomacy and claimed the US had used Europe as a smokescreen to cover Israeli military operations. Iranian missiles hit Haifa and Beersheba While Israeli defences intercepted the bulk of Iran's recent barrage, several missiles penetrated. A missile with cluster munitions hit Beersheba, setting several cars on fire. In Haifa, a projectile wounded at least 31 people and damaged buildings, including a mosque. President Isaac Herzog condemned the attack, saying it injured Muslim clerics and civilians. Israel has since launched counterstrikes and claimed it has destroyed most of Iran's launch infrastructure, although sporadic missile attacks persist. Civilian toll mounts in week-long war The Israel-Iran war, now in its second week, has killed at least 657 people in Iran — including 263 civilians — and injured over 2,000, according to a Washington-based human rights group. Iran has launched over 1,000 drones and 450 missiles; most have been intercepted. In Israel, 24 people have been killed and hundreds injured. Netanyahu continues to describe Iran's nuclear programme as an 'existential threat' and has vowed to eliminate it regardless of international pushback. The US remains undecided on direct military involvement.
Euronews
3 days ago
- Science
- Euronews
Kazakhstan opens Institute to study Caspian Sea
Over the past two decades, the Caspian Sea level has dropped by more than two metres, putting local communities and ecosystems at risk. Scientists predict an even sharper decline in the years ahead. Ecologists point to climate change as a major reason, particularly its impact on the Volga River — which flows through Russia and provides around 85% of the Caspian's inflow. Experts stress the urgent need for regional cooperation, including the long-standing but largely inactive Tehran Convention, created to protect the Caspian environment and promote sustainable use of its resources. In response to the environmental crisis, the Kazakh government is launching the Caspian Sea Research Institute - a key step toward understanding the problem, protecting the endangered Caspian Sea, and preserving the region's fragile ecosystem.
Ya Libnan
5 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
Panic in Tehran: Exodus as Israel strikes for a fourth day
Panic-stricken residents began fleeing Tehran on Sunday as Israeli strikes and air defense fire rocked the city, sending thick plumes of smoke into the skyline of a capital unprepared for war. The latest wave of Israeli airstrikes, which began at midday, followed hours after a warning from Israel's Ministry of Defense urging civilians to avoid areas near military and weapons facilities. The attacks have sparked deep anxiety across Tehran, a city already struggling under energy shortages and economic malaise before the conflict. 'I can't think straight. I'm packing as we speak. The whole city is under attack and the roads out are jam-packed with cars,' said Neda, a 37-year-old mother of two, struggling to hold back tears. 'My elderly parents are reliving the traumas of the Iran-Iraq war every time a missile lands,' she added. 'I have very little hope that the Islamic Republic and Israel will stop anytime soon. I just hope our home is still standing when and if we return.' Reported targets included the Justice, Intelligence, and Oil ministries located in densely populated residential and commercial districts. Multiple residential buildings were also struck during the ongoing daytime raids. 'The first two days were incredibly terrifying because there are so many military facilities near my home. A missile could land on us with no warning any minute. I'm praying for all this to end soon,' said Ladan, a 46-year-old housewife who lives in northeast Tehran, after reaching Mazandaran in the Caspian region. A video shared by @Vahid shows the moment an Israeli missile hits a building in Tehran's Sabounchi street, where the IRGC Intelligence Organization's building is located. Netanyahu earlier confirmed the deaths of the IRGC intelligence chief and his deputy in an Israeli attack. Bazaar shuttered Tehran's Grand Bazaar and many other businesses shuttered quickly as queues outside petrol stations grew longer. Authorities have now capped fuel purchases at 15 liters per private vehicle per day. While Iran's government has not released overall casualty figures, state media reported that ten children were killed overnight in a residential building in northeast Tehran. Arash, a 48-year-old engineer, said his entire family is preparing to flee. 'Israel struck several places near our neighborhood this morning. One explosion blew the windows open. We're heading to my parents' home in the Caspian region—but I'm not sure it's safe there either.' Ali, a 38-year-old teacher, said he was still looking for somewhere safe to take shelter. 'People with money have already left. For people like us, it's hard to survive more than a few days away from home.' Online, confusion and fear are spreading. 'Every [Telegram] channel that I check says to leave Tehran — but where exactly should we go when we don't have anyone [to stay with] or know any places [that are safe]?' @stillwjm97 posted on X. A large explosion shook Tehran's Mirdamad district in the city's north on Sunday, with thick plumes of smoke seen rising from the site, according to a video received by Iran International. Shelters, human toll Outspoken former lawmaker Mahmoud Sadeghi echoed the urgency in a post on X. 'The war has truly begun. Declare a state of war. Prioritize protecting people's lives. Let's minimize human casualties by preparing shelters and issuing warnings,' he addressed the authorities. 'So many missiles are landing in Tel Aviv and Haifa, but the human toll is not comparable to Iran.' Tehran has no dedicated, fully stocked public bomb shelters like those in Israel. Some neighborhood bunkers built during the Iran-Iraq War remain unused and unprepared, and no sirens have been sounded ahead of the recent attacks. The government on Sunday announced metro stations, mosques and schools would stay open overnight for shelter. But residents say that metro stations are not equipped as bomb shelters and lack basic amenities such as toilers. Some social media users are expressing concern that most mosques and schools may be as vulnerable to bombs and missiles as their homes. Iran Intl
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
The Ayatollah's gamble: Fight, fold, or fall - How far will Iran go against Israel?
Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting with teachers, in Tehran, Iran. (File photo) Iran unleashed a wave of over 100 missiles on Israeli cities early Monday, killing five and injuring more than 100 - striking Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Petah Tikva. The attack followed Israel's surprise air campaign that bombarded Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure, killing at least 224 people - many of them civilians - and decimating the upper ranks of the Revolutionary Guard. The tit-for-tat marks the fourth straight day of open warfare between the regional archrivals and shows no signs of de-escalation. Why it matters This is no longer a proxy conflict. Israel has directly struck inside Iran, and Iran has retaliated with direct missile fire on Israeli population centers. The scale, speed, and ferocity of the strikes mark a dangerous new phase with no clear off-ramp - and Iran's regime is facing pressure on all fronts: militarily, economically, diplomatically and domestically. It's the worst direct confrontation between Iran and Israel in history. The war could spiral into a broader Middle East conflagration, upend global oil markets, and collapse already-stalled nuclear diplomacy. Energy implications: Crude oil surged 13% on Friday - the biggest intraday gain since Russia invaded Ukraine. While oil briefly hit $78 per barrel, experts warn prices could soar past $100 if Iran disrupts the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global oil flows. The big picture Iran now faces a triad of perilous choices Escalate - risking full-scale war with Israel and possible US involvement. Contain the conflict - aiming for limited, sustained strikes while avoiding American red lines. Negotiate - possibly with US mediation - to halt the fighting and restore nuclear talks, though trust is virtually nonexistent. Each carries enormous risks for Iran's clerical leadership. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei must weigh strategic retaliation against the very real prospect of regime collapse or American firepower. Between the lines The Israeli strikes have been more devastating and targeted than many in Tehran expected. Israel claims it has killed high-ranking commanders and destroyed key uranium enrichment facilities. The shock of the attacks has set off panic among Tehran residents, particularly in the north, where middle-class Iranians are fleeing to rural areas or Caspian towns. 'We just don't know where to go or what to do,'' said Parisa, a gym owner in northern Tehran. 'The highways are locked. People are saying something bad is going to happen in Tehran tonight.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Anvisa aprova solução para ajudar a reduzir gordura visceral da barriga em 7 dias! Você Mais Saudável Hoje Saiba Mais Undo Zoom in As per a Bloomberg report, Iran's domestic situation is fragile: Its economy is ravaged by years of sanctions. Inflation hovers around 40%. Blackouts and gas shortages are becoming the norm. And the rial continues to plummet, stoking anger in a young, restless population. Just days before the Israeli strikes, anti-government protests were already flaring over water shortages and job losses. The ultimate test for Khamenei Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader and political survivor for over three decades, is now confronting what may be the defining crisis of his rule. In a sign of how far Israel was willing to push, a US official told the Associated Press that President Donald Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei. Since taking power in 1989 after the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Khamenei has survived sanctions, internal unrest, and international isolation. But the current conflict with Israel is different: it directly challenges not only the regional influence he has carefully built but also the internal balance of power in Tehran. The stakes are now existential. At 86, Khamenei's advanced age has already fueled speculation about succession, a process clouded by secrecy and rival factions within the regime. 'Khamenei is at the twilight of his rule, at the age 86, and already much of the daily command of the regime is not up to him but to various factions who are vying for the future,' said Arash Azizi, senior fellow at Boston University. 'This process was already underway and the current war only accelerates it,' he told AFP. And with Israel not ruling out future attempts on his life, the supreme leader's next moves will shape not just Iran's response, but the future of the system he's spent a lifetime defending. What they're saying 'Israel's fight is not against the Iranian people,' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video. 'Our fight is against the murderous Islamic regime that oppresses and impoverishes you.' Trump said Sunday: 'We will have PEACE, soon… But sometimes they have to fight it out.' 'This is for the sake of our children and grandchildren,' said Yoram Suki, whose apartment was destroyed in Petah Tikva. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi: 'Once these Israeli] attacks come to a stop, we will naturally reciprocate.' Iran has thousands of ballistic missiles so I think Iranian leaders will use most of those missiles and kill a few thousand of Americans before they engage in a surrender. Iran's hope was a peaceful resolution. The Americans didn't want to have it, they wanted war and I think that's what they're going to get. Fouad Izadi, an academic at Tehran University , told Bloomberg What to watch Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it employed a 'new method' in Monday's missile barrage that overwhelmed Israeli air defenses, including the Iron Dome, allowing strikes to penetrate deeper than before. The damage was visible: residential buildings collapsed, fires erupted, and even the US Embassy in Tel Aviv sustained minor damage. If Iran escalates further - for example, by activating Hezbollah in Lebanon or shutting the Strait of Hormuz - it could trigger US military involvement, upending Trump's desire to stay out. A senior US official confirmed that Trump was aware of the Israeli strike plan in advance but refused to participate, preferring to maintain the ability to mediate a ceasefire. What's next Israel is pushing hard to rally Western support to destroy Iran's nuclear capacity. But analysts say Israel would need US military assistance to breach Iran's deepest, most protected sites. The US role remains murky: President Donald Trump has both urged de-escalation and praised Israel's offensive. He's also confirmed vetoing an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei, calling it a red line. Iran's Gulf-Arab neighbors-countries it's reconnected with over the past two years-are alarmed by Israel's moves and want no part in the conflict, say senior regional officials. While Iran has the missile capability to hit oil facilities and infrastructure across the region, it's not likely to risk damaging those newly rebuilt ties. It understands that these neighbors fear getting caught in the crossfire and are pressing Trump to cool things down. The G7 summit in Canada is now dominated by discussions on how to prevent further escalation. 'This issue will be very high on the agenda,' said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Reality check While Iran can likely sustain limited strikes on Israel for weeks, it is constrained. It cannot match Israel's precision airpower or resupply at the pace that Israel can - especially with US backing. A prolonged war would deepen its economic pain, risk regime legitimacy, and possibly spur a new wave of protests.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What Are Iran And Russia Really Up To In The Caspian Sea?
Iran is making 'good progress' on its first concerted oil drilling operation in the Caspian Sea in 30 years, a senior energy source who works closely with the Islamic Republic's Petroleum Ministry exclusively told over the weekend. 'The signs are promising in the block ['18' in the Roudsar formation from 70-metre waters around 15 kilometres from the northern Iranian coastline] and if it continues to be so then there is great potential there,' he said. 'Official estimates are that this small area could have around 600 million barrels of oil and around two trillion cubic feet of gas in it,' he added. This is not surprising, as across the wider Caspian basins area, including both onshore and offshore fields, there are a conservatively estimated 48 billion barrels of oil and 292 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas in proved and probable reserves. Around 41% of total Caspian crude oil and lease condensate and 36% of natural gas exists in the offshore fields, with an additional 35% of oil and 45% of gas estimated to lie onshore within 100 miles of the coast, particularly in Russia's North Caucasus region. The remaining 12 billion barrels of oil and 56 Tcf of natural gas are believed to be variously located further onshore in the large Caspian Sea basins, mostly in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. The area accounts for an average of 17% of the total oil production of the five littoral states that share its resources, on average totalling 2.5-2.9 million barrels per day (mbpd). Given these numbers, two natural questions emerge: why has Iran not resumed drilling activity here earlier, and why is it doing so now?On the first point, several factors have conspired to keep Iran from focusing on drilling in the Caspian Sea, despite its vast potential resources, but one in particular has prevented it from doing so in recent years. Of the broader reasons, a great degree of the engineering, technology, know-how, and money required for Iran to develop its Caspian reserves, much of which are located in challenging geological areas, has been denied it through the various sanctions regimes in place since its 1979 Islamic Revolution. Given this, Iran has focused instead on its multitude of oil sites offering easy development opportunities, with the lifting cost in many of these equalling the lowest rate in the world – around $1-3 per barrel – along with some sites in Iraq and Saudi Arabia. This is one part of the explanation as to why Iran dug the last shallow-water well in its Caspian Sea region in 1997 and stopped developing the deep-water wells in 2014. The other – special – reason why it has done nothing to restart these operations more recently dates back to the 2018 signing of the stunningly dull-sounding 'Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea', which in reality surely figures as one of the biggest – but least well known -- swindles in recent years in the global oil industry, as analysed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order. The officially published papers on the agreement refrain from going to details about share allocations in the Caspian Sea resource and talk only vaguely about giving the area 'a special legal status'. However, the Iran source exclusively told at that time in 2018 that there was a second part to the deal, never officially released, that has proven explosive for the perennially-fractious relations between the Caspian states -- in particular Iran's with every other partner -- and its genesis lies in what happened when the USSR collapsed and fractured into its constituent independent states. Prior to this, Iran and the USSR had struck the original agreement in 1921 to split all 'fishing rights' in the Caspian area 50-50. This was amended in 1924 to include 'any and all resources recovered', meaning in practical terms that all hydrocarbons resources would be shared equally between Russia and Iran. However, following the dissolution of the USSR, three new independent countries adjoining the Caspian Sea were created – Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan - to add to the original partnership of Russia and Iran. 'Iran should have said back then that Russia should have shared its Caspian stake with the three former USSR states, but it [Iran] was content to wait for the official legal dispute to be settled,' underlined the Iran source. Iran's trust in Russia's fair play was of course misplaced, and by changing the legal definition of the Caspian from a 'lake' – its original designation in the original agreement – to a 'sea' (because Russia had opened up the channel from the Volga River into the Caspian to prevent the levels dropping), the original even share distribution of oil and gas profits for the region no longer held good. Instead, Russia was effectively able to divide up the shares as it saw fit, and the way it saw fit was to benefit its existing ally, Kazakhstan (which was assigned a 28.9% share), and its wished-for ally, Azerbaijan (which secured a 21% stake), while Russia saw a slight increase (to 21%), Turkmenistan's share went down (to 17.225%), and Iran's share plummeted to just 11.875%. This switch from 50% to just over 11% meant that based on hydrocarbons values at that time Iran was set to lose at least US$3.2 trillion in revenues from the disputed and lost value of energy products going forward. Unsurprisingly, then, Iran's appetite to start drilling again in its Caspian region was further diminished. So what has changed now? The answer in part is financial necessity – not just on Iran's part given the parlous state of its economy, but also on Russia's for the same reason. The Islamic Republic's development efforts will provide it with 11.875% of the value of the oil and gas drilled but it will give Russia 21%. The other part of the answer is that even Iran's relatively paltry share is increasingly required to service the terms of the ongoing multi-layered oil-for-arms swaps taking place between it and Russia. These swaps are of an altogether greater complexity than those between Iran and North Korea, for example, which were characterised by the latter sending personnel, information, and technology (much of which first came from China) relating to its nuclear weapons programme to Iran in return for oil being sent back to it. The swaps between Russia and Iran, according to the Iran source, involve oil-only (designed to reduce transport and distribution costs on both sides), weapon-only (Iranian drone and ballistic missiles in exchange for Russian assistance on nuclear weapons development), and a combination of oil for weapons in each direction. All of this was agreed as part of the 20-year comprehensive cooperation deal between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia, agreed by Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, on 18 January 2024, as exclusively revealed at the time by In several key respects, this new deal – 'The Treaty on the Basis of Mutual Relations and Principles of Cooperation between Iran and Russia' – mirrored key elements of the all-encompassing 'Iran-China 25-Year Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement', as first revealed anywhere in the world in my 3 September 2019 article on the subject and analysed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order. It is no secret now that Iran has been supplying Russia with munitions, artillery shells, drones and ballistic missiles since the onset of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Iran has also long been promised Suhkoi-35 fighter jets, Mig-28 attack helicopters, and the S-400 missile defence system, although several of these assurances remain unfulfilled by Russia. However, according to a senior figure in the European Union's energy security complex spoken to exclusively by in the past two weeks: 'Verified reports show that Iran is becoming ever more active in the Russia-Belarus campaign of eroding NATO's eastern flank defences particularly along the vulnerable northern and southern border defences that are most vulnerable.' He added: 'In the last delivery of mid- and long-range missiles from Tehran to Moscow, for the first time the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps] included as they had promised in February in a meeting a visit to Moscow, Etemad [a late generation ballistic missile], and Fath 360 [a multi-lunch ballistic missile launching system], with most of the latter to be positioned by Moscow near the Belarus border with Poland.' Consequently, Russia for its part has increased the assistance it is giving to Iran on its nuclear programme, for which it is charging Iran much more than for any such assistance previously given, so Iran now needs more money, which means developing its Caspian resources too. By Simon Watkins for More Top Reads From this article on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
