Latest news with #IranNuclearIssue
Times of Oman
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Russia hails Oman's mediation in crucial Iran-US negotiations
Muscat: Russia's Foreign Ministry has reiterated its support for diplomacy over military action in resolving the Iranian nuclear issue. Speaking on the sidelines of the 9th Asia-Pacific Union meeting in Saint Petersburg, the Ministry's spokesperson emphasised that resuming negotiations between Iran and the United States, with mediation from the Sultanate of Oman, remains the only viable path to a peaceful resolution rather than through Israeli military strikes. The Russian official strongly criticised recent Israeli military actions, labelling them as counterproductive and destabilizing. She lauded Oman's balanced and persistent diplomatic efforts, describing them as crucial in bridging communication between Tehran and Washington.
Arab News
a day ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Jordan FM holds talks with French, Irish, Slovak counterparts on Gaza crisis, Iran tensions
AMMAN: Jordan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi held a series of discussions on Thursday with European counterparts from France, Ireland, and Slovakia, focusing on efforts to end the escalating crises in the Middle East and revive diplomatic paths toward peace. In Paris, Safadi met with French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot, with the two ministers stressing the urgent need to de-escalate tensions between Israel and Iran and resume negotiations as 'the only way to protect the region from the expansion of the war and its dangerous repercussions.' Safadi welcomed talks planned for Friday in Geneva between France, Germany, the US, and Iran, expressing hope they would give diplomacy a chance to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, the Jordan News Agency reported. Both he and Barrot also called for intensified international efforts to secure a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and ensure the immediate and sufficient delivery of humanitarian aid. Safadi said the inhumane reality in Gaza, marked by massacres, starvation, and collective suffering, must end, and warned that illegal Israeli measures in the West Bank are further eroding chances of a viable two-state solution. He reiterated Jordan's backing of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative and called for international recognition of the state of Palestine, saying such a move affirms the 'inevitability' of the two-state solution as the only path to a just peace. Safadi also praised France's 'key' role in co-leading efforts, alongside Saudi Arabia, to organize an international conference on the two-state solution, which had been postponed due to the recent Iran-Israel escalation. The ministers also addressed the situation in Syria, highlighting the need for a unified approach that supports Syria's sovereignty, eliminates terrorism, ensures refugee return and lays the groundwork for reconstruction. They reaffirmed their commitment to Lebanon's stability and the wider humanitarian mission in Gaza. In a separate phone call with Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Harris, Safadi discussed similar themes, with both stressing that ending the war and resuming nuclear negotiations with Iran were essential to resolving broader regional instability. They called for enhanced UN humanitarian access to Gaza and warned against actions in the West Bank that could jeopardize the two-state solution. Safadi thanked Ireland for its longstanding support of Palestinian statehood and rights in line with international law. Later in the day, Safadi also held talks with Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar. The pair echoed concerns over regional escalation and underlined the urgency of a ceasefire in Gaza. Safadi and Blanar also explored ways to deepen ties and expand cooperation between Jordan and the EU, reaffirming a shared commitment to regional peace and security.
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
China's Wang Yi decries ‘unacceptable' Israeli attack on Iran, urges political resolution
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called Israel's attack on Iran an 'unacceptable' breach of international law and urged measures to de-escalate tensions in phone calls with his Israeli and Iranian counterparts on Saturday. He told Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar that China could play a 'constructive role' in the peaceful resolution of the Iran nuclear issue, saying diplomatic solutions remained viable and a peaceful resolution was still achievable, according to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 'Such actions are particularly unacceptable while the international community is still seeking a political resolution to the Iran nuclear issue,' Wang said, referring to Israel's attack on Iran that started on Friday. 'The immediate priority is to take concrete steps to prevent further escalation, avoid plunging the region into greater turmoil, and return to diplomacy, which is the international community's shared consensus,' Wang said, noting that both Israel and Iran were key Middle Eastern countries and their relations affected regional stability. Wang reiterated China's position on regional conflicts, calling on both Israel and Iran to 'resolve differences through dialogue and find a path to peaceful coexistence'. 'Diplomatic solutions for the Iranian nuclear issue are not exhausted, and prospects for a peaceful settlement remain viable,' Wang said, adding that China stood ready to play a constructive role in this process.
Telegraph
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Trump: I knew about Israel's plans all along
Donald Trump said he was kept informed of Israel's plans to strike Iran even as he publicly called for a new nuclear deal and warned against fresh military action. The US president held phone calls with Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday and Thursday yet continued to say he hoped for a diplomatic solution that would prevent Iran obtaining nuclear weapons. The result was a public smokescreen that allowed the US to get diplomats to safety and protect American interests, according to a string of sources familiar with the president's thinking. One former senior administration official said Mr Trump was happy to play good cop, advocating for more talks, while Mr Netanyahu played bad cop. 'This was very much a case of, if Israel's going to do it and do the dirty work and do what we essentially want done, then he's happy with that,' he said. Mr Trump spoke with Mr Netanyahu on Thursday, hours before the strikes began. Asked what kind of heads-up he was given, Mr Trump told The Wall Street Journal on Friday morning: 'Heads-up? It wasn't a heads-up. It was, we know what's going on.' Yet Mr Trump kept up a stream of public comments about the prospects for talks. 'We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue,' he posted on his Truth Social site. 'My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran.' His officials quietly briefed reporters that Steve Witkoff, his special envoy, was to travel to Oman for the sixth round of talks. And he told journalists in the East Room of the Oval Office that strikes could derail delicately poised talks. Israel and US coordinated closely Yet at the same time, American diplomats were preparing for Iranian retaliation to strikes. Non-essential staff were ordered to leave the embassy in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, and families began flying home from other diplomatic posts in the region. Simone Ledeen, former deputy assistant secretary of defence for the Middle East under Mr Trump, said the sequencing, posture changes and the president's own comments made it clear that the US and Israel had coordinated closely. The result was an operation to degrade Iranian capability while preserving American flexibility. 'Trump doesn't want war. He's made that clear,' she said. 'But that doesn't mean sitting on the sidelines. 'It means using all tools—intelligence, timing, messaging—to support an ally while protecting American interests.' It also appeared that Israel was acting on a two-month deadline issued by Mr Trump in a letter sent to Tehran in March. The strikes were launched 60 days after talks with Iran began on April 12. Mr Trump said on Friday: 'I told the other side, I said, you have 60 days to make the deal. On the 61st day, they attacked. Today is 61 actually, and it was a very successful attack.' Just before heading into the White House Situation Room, he said it could even improve the chances of forcing Iran to end its nuclear ambitions. When he was asked by Axios whether the attack had destroyed any chance of reaching a deal with Tehran, he said: 'I don't think so. Maybe the opposite. Maybe now they will negotiate seriously.' The website also reported that Israeli officials had been spreading rumours that Mr Trump was quietly nodding through the plans, while maintaining a public veneer of opposition. The White House denies that this is the case. The president has political concerns at home to balance too. He was elected on an America First platform with promises to end US entanglements overseas. Loyalists such as Marjorie Taylor Greene, the hardline congresswoman from Georgia, have warned that he is in danger of being suckered by the Washington establishment into giving up on that commitment. On Thursday night, the result was reportedly a debate about how best to deliver a statement on the strikes amid tensions between Maga and Neocon parts of Trump world. In the end, it fell to Marco Rubio, Mr Trump's secretary of state and a hawkish voice on Iran. 'Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran,' he said. 'We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.' Mr Trump was mingling with guests at the congressional barbecue on the South Lawn of the White House when news of the strikes spread. 'I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to 'just do it,' but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn't get it done,' he posted on Truth Social at 5.56am. But he already faces questions from supporters about where this leaves his campaign promises. 'How does the America First foreign policy doctrine and foreign policy agenda … stay consistent with this right now?' Charlie Kirk, a Maga influencer and ally of the president said. Tucker Carlson, a long-time friend of Mr Trump wrote in his morning newsletter: 'Drop Israel. Let them fight their own wars ... It is not America's fight.'
Arab News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Japan ‘strongly condemns' Israel's attack on Iran
TOKYO: Japan has joined in the condemnation of Israel's attack on Iran with Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya saying the attack 'escalates the situation' in the Middle East, Japan's Foreign Ministry reported. 'We deeply regret that military force was used despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, including talks between the US and Iran, to achieve a peaceful resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue,' Iwaya said. 'Our country strongly condemns this action, which escalates the situation.' Iwaya emphasized that peace and stability in the Middle East are 'extremely important' to Japan and urged all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint. He called for de-escalation of the situation, adding that the Japanese government will spare no effort to protect Japanese nationals residing in the region. 'We will continue to take all necessary measures to prevent further deterioration of the situation,' he said. • This article also appears on Arab News Japan
