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Euronews
an hour ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Meeting between top EU diplomats and Iran's FM yields hope of talks
A meeting between top European diplomats and Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, on Friday yielded hopes of further talks but no indication of any immediate or concrete breakthrough, a week after Israel attacked Iran over Tehran's nuclear program, erupting into war between both sides. Foreign ministers from Britain, France, and Germany and the European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, emerged from the talks at a Geneva hotel nearly four hours after Iran's Araghchi arrived for the meeting. It was the first face-to-face meeting between Western and Iranian officials since the start of the conflict. In a joint written statement issued after the talks ended, the three European nations and the EU said that they 'discussed avenues towards a negotiated solution to Iran's nuclear programme.' They reiterated their concerns about the 'expansion' of the nuclear program, adding that it has 'no credible civilian purpose.' EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, 'We agreed that we will discuss nuclear but also broader issues that we have and keep the discussions open." 'The good result today is that we leave the room with the impression that the Iranian side is fundamentally ready to continue talking about all important issues,' German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said, adding both sides had held 'very serious talks.' While France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told reporters, military operations can slow Iran's nuclear program, but in no way can they eliminate it. 'We know well—after having seen what happened in Afghanistan, in Iraq, and in Libya—how illusory and dangerous it is to want to impose regime change from outside.' Barrot also said that European nations 'invited the Iranian minister to envisage negotiations with all parties, including the United States, and without waiting for the end of the strikes." However promising, Iran ruled out new nuclear talks until attacks from Israel stop. According to Araghchi, Iran was ready to consider diplomacy only if Israel's "aggression is stopped." "I make it crystal clear that Iran's defence capabilities are non-negotiable," the Iranian foreign minister stressed after the Geneva talks. He expressed support for 'a continuation of discussions with the E3 and the EU and expressed his readiness to meet again in the near future.' He also denounced Israel's attacks against nuclear facilities in Iran and expressed 'grave concern' about what he called 'non-condemnation' by European nations. For his part, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy urged Tehran to continue its talks with the United States. Lammy said, 'We are keen to continue ongoing discussions and negotiations with Iran, and we urge Iran to continue their talks with the United States.' He added that 'we were clear: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.' He added there is 'a window of within two weeks where we can see a diplomatic solution' and urged Iran 'to take that off-ramp.' Trump delays decision Meanwhile, it remains unclear how that will happen as US President Donald Trump continues to weigh whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but America's 'bunker-buster' bombs. Trump said on Wednesday that he'll decide within two weeks whether the US military will get directly involved in the war, given the 'substantial chance' for renewed negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program. Israel says it launched its airstrike campaign to stop Iran from getting closer to being able to build a nuclear weapon. Iran and the United States had been negotiating over the possibility of a new diplomatic deal over Tehran's programme, though Trump has said Israel's campaign came after a 60-day window he set for the talks. 'We are entitled … to defend our territorial integrity' - Iran In light of the possibility of US involvement, Iran's supreme leader rejected Trump's calls for surrender Wednesday and warned that any military involvement by the Americans would cause 'irreparable damage to them.' Just before meeting the European diplomats on Friday, Foreign Minister Araghchi made a brief appearance before the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, telling the council that Israel's 'attacks on nuclear facilities are grave war crimes'. Araghchi insisted that Iran is "entitled … and determined to defend our territorial integrity, national sovereignty, and security with all force.' Tehran has long insisted its nuclear programme is peaceful, though it was the only non-nuclear-armed state to enrich uranium up to 60%, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. The initial 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and the world powers was negotiated in large part by the three European nations. However, Iran has been found wanting in its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, leading to warnings by the EU states to reimpose sanctions that were suspended under the agreement.
Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Channel 7 journalist forced to hide between buildings as Iran launches ballistic missiles into Israel day on eight of conflict
An Australian journalist has been forced to shelter out in the open as Iranian ballistic missiles slammed into parts of Israel while others were intercepted in the sky. Channel Seven's Europe Correspondent Jacquelin Robson has been in the region covering Israel and Iran's deadly conflict, which entered its second week on Friday. While on the road in Tel Aviv, the reporter and her cameraman received a "rare" nationwide text alerting them to seek shelter as rockets had been fired by Tehran. Robson told Sunrise she was caught in the middle of the carnage. "We were forced to pull over and try to seek shelter," she said on Saturday. Viewers were shown vision of Robson and her crew running through a Tel Aviv neighbourhood as they scrambled to put on their body armour and helmets. "There were some locals who were calling us over to a bunker and we soon discovered that bunker did not exist. The final siren then sounded and we were forced to run to find shelter and found some space between buildings," the journalist said. A large explosion was then heard in the background of the clip. Robson said that was the moment a missile was intercepted by Israeli air defences. The two nations on Friday continued to launch missiles at one another on day eight of the conflict, targeting missile production sites in Iran and industrial facilities in Israel. Iran also hit the southern Israeli city of Beersheba for the second day in a row, causing serious damage to homes, businesses and leaving at least seven people injured. Israel hit dozens of military targets it claimed were involved in nuclear weapons development in Tehran, in addition to surface-to-air missile batteries in Iran's south. The Israeli city of Haifa was another location to be hit, leaving 23 people seriously injured. Among that group includes a boy, 16, and two men aged 40 and 54. Israel's military chief Eyal Zamir has warned it will likely be a "prolonged" conflict. "We have embarked on the most complex campaign in our history to remove a threat of such magnitude. The campaign is not over. Although we have made significant achievements, difficult days ahead," he said in a video statement. Peace talks were held in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday between European foreign ministers and their Iranian counterparts about a de-escalation of the conflict. The foreign ministers of Germany, Britain, France, known as the E3, plus the European Union, urged Iran to engage with the United States over its nuclear programme. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters in Switzerland that officials are "ready to consider diplomacy" but demanded Israel "stop the aggression". 'Iran's nuclear programme is peaceful and has always been under the IAEA safeguards and monitoring. Hence, armed attacks against safeguarded nuclear facilities by a regime which is not a party to any WMD (weapons of mass destruction) treaties is a serious crime and violation of international law," he said on Friday. 'Iran is ready to consider diplomacy once again – once the aggression is stopped and the aggressor is held accountable for the crimes committed. 'In this regard, I made it crystal clear that Iran's defence capabilities are not negotiable.' President Trump dismissed Europe's attempts to get Iran to agree to diplomacy. 'They didn't help. Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help on this one," the US commander-in-chief said. Asked about a ceasefire in the conflict, the President said he "might" support it.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, June 21, 2025
British foreign minister David Lammy (left) and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot briefing the media in Geneva on June 20, after their talks with Iran's Foreign Minister on Tehran's nuclear programme. PHOTO: AFP While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, June 21, 2025 Europe-Iran talks yield little at 'perilous' moment There were few signs of progress after European foreign ministers met their Iranian counterpart on June 20 in a bid to prevent conflict in the Middle East from escalating, although all signalled readiness to keep talking, despite major sticking points. The foreign ministers of Germany, Britain, France - known as the E3 - plus the EU, urged Iran to engage with the United States over its contentious nuclear programme even as Tehran has repeatedly insisted it will not open discussions with the Trump administration until Israeli strikes on Iran end. The talks aimed to test Tehran's willingness to negotiate a new nuclear deal despite there being no obvious prospect of Israel ceasing its attacks soon, diplomats said. For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran was ready to consider diplomacy once Israel had ceased its attacks and been held accountable for its actions. READ MORE HERE Trump says he may support Israel-Iran ceasefire President Donald Trump said on June 20 he might support a ceasefire in the week-old aerial conflict between US ally Israel and its regional rival Iran 'depending on the circumstances'. Asked by reporters if he would support a ceasefire while negotiations are ongoing, Mr Trump said: 'I might, depending on the circumstances.' Europe would not be able to help much in the war between Iran and Israel, Mr Trump added. READ MORE HERE US judge orders release of pro-Palestinian activist A US judge ordered on June 20 that Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil be released from immigration custody, a major victory for rights groups that challenged what they called the Trump administration's unlawful targeting of a pro-Palestinian activist. Mr Khalil, a prominent figure in pro-Palestinian protests against Israel's war on Gaza, was arrested by immigration agents in the lobby of his university residence in Manhattan on March 8. President Donald Trump, a Republican, has called the protests anti-Semitic and vowed to deport foreign students who took part, and Mr Khalil became the first target of this policy. READ MORE HERE Russia must not let economy slip into recession, says Putin Russia's economy must under no circumstances slide into recession, President Vladimir Putin told an economic forum on June 20, in a clear instruction to assembled government ministers and central bankers. The Bank of Russia hiked its key interest rate to the highest level since the early 2000s in October, seeking to curb stubbornly high inflation, before cutting it by one percentage point to 20 per cent earlier this month. Economy Minister Maxim Reshetnikov, in a downbeat message to Russia's showcase economic event, said on June 20 that the economy was on the verge of sliding into recession and monetary policy decisions would determine whether it falls into one or not. Pressure on the central bank is mounting. READ MORE HERE Liverpool shatter club record to sign Germany's Wirtz Liverpool have signed Germany's Florian Wirtz from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, the Premier League champions said on June 20, as they smashed their transfer record to seal a deal for the attacking midfielder. Leverkusen will receive a guaranteed amount of £100 million (S$170 million) and a further maximum of £16 million in potential bonuses. That makes the 22-year-old Liverpool's most-expensive signing ever, ahead of Netherlands centre back and captain Virgil van Dijk who joined for £75 million in 2017. READ MORE HERE Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
European talks with Iran yield no obvious breakthrough
Military operations could slow Iran's nuclear program, but in no way could they eliminate it, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said. 'We know well – after having seen what happened in Afghanistan, in Iraq, in Libya – how illusory and dangerous it is to want to impose regime change from outside.' Loading Barrot also said that European nations 'invited the Iranian minister to envisage negotiations with all parties including the United States, and without waiting for the end of the strikes'. He said Araghchi agreed 'to put all the issues on the table, including some that weren't there before' and 'showed his disposition to continuing the conversation that we started today, and for the Europeans to help facilitate, including with the United States.' EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, 'we agreed that we will discuss nuclear but also broader issues that we have, and keep the discussions open'. Araghchi also addressed reporters outside the meeting venue after the talks ended. He expressed support for 'a continuation of discussions with the E3 and the EU and expressed his readiness to meet again in the near future'. He also denounced Israel's attacks against nuclear facilities in Iran and expressed 'grave concern' on what he called 'non-condemnation' by European nations. US considering how to proceed Lammy travelled to Geneva after meeting in Washington with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US President Donald Trump's Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff. Trump has been weighing whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordow uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but America's 'bunker-buster' bombs. He said on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) that he'd decide within two weeks whether the US military would get directly involved in the war, given the 'substantial chance' for renewed negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program. He said on Friday he might support a ceasefire 'depending on the circumstances', adding that Europe would not be able to help much in the conflict. 'Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help in this one,' Trump said. Loading Israel says it launched its airstrike campaign to stop Iran from getting closer to being able to build a nuclear weapon. Iran and the United States had been negotiating over the possibility of a new diplomatic deal over Tehran's program, though Trump has said Israel's campaign came after a 60-day window he set for the talks. Barrot said that 'we wanted to open a discussion with the Iranian foreign minister because we believe that there is no definitive solution by military means to the Iranian nuclear problem – military operations may delay it, but they can't eliminate it'. 'We are not seeking negotiations' Iran's supreme leader rejected US calls for surrender on Wednesday and warned that any military involvement by the Americans would cause 'irreparable damage to them'. Before Friday's talks, Araghchi said in an interview aired by Iranian state television that 'in the current situation, as the Zionist regime's attacks continue, we are not seeking negotiations with anyone'. He said that 'we have nothing to discuss with the United States, which is a partner in these crimes', and Tehran rejected negotiations with the Americans. 'As for others, if they seek dialogue, not negotiations, which don't make sense right now, we have no problem with that,' he added. He said the discussion overnight would focus 'solely on the nuclear issue and regional matters', and Iran would not hold talks on its missiles with anyone. Threats to reinstate sanctions Just before meeting the European diplomats, Araghchi made a brief appearance before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. He said that Israel's 'attacks on nuclear facilities are grave war crimes', and insisted that 'we are entitled … and determined to defend our territorial integrity, national sovereignty and security with all force'. Iran has long insisted its nuclear program is peaceful, though it was the only non-nuclear-armed state to enrich uranium up to 60 per cent, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent. The three European countries played an important role in the negotiations over the original 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. But they have repeatedly threatened to reinstate sanctions that were lifted under the deal if Iran does not improve its co-operation with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The Age
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Age
European talks with Iran yield no obvious breakthrough
Military operations could slow Iran's nuclear program, but in no way could they eliminate it, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said. 'We know well – after having seen what happened in Afghanistan, in Iraq, in Libya – how illusory and dangerous it is to want to impose regime change from outside.' Loading Barrot also said that European nations 'invited the Iranian minister to envisage negotiations with all parties including the United States, and without waiting for the end of the strikes'. He said Araghchi agreed 'to put all the issues on the table, including some that weren't there before' and 'showed his disposition to continuing the conversation that we started today, and for the Europeans to help facilitate, including with the United States.' EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, 'we agreed that we will discuss nuclear but also broader issues that we have, and keep the discussions open'. Araghchi also addressed reporters outside the meeting venue after the talks ended. He expressed support for 'a continuation of discussions with the E3 and the EU and expressed his readiness to meet again in the near future'. He also denounced Israel's attacks against nuclear facilities in Iran and expressed 'grave concern' on what he called 'non-condemnation' by European nations. US considering how to proceed Lammy travelled to Geneva after meeting in Washington with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US President Donald Trump's Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff. Trump has been weighing whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordow uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but America's 'bunker-buster' bombs. He said on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) that he'd decide within two weeks whether the US military would get directly involved in the war, given the 'substantial chance' for renewed negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program. He said on Friday he might support a ceasefire 'depending on the circumstances', adding that Europe would not be able to help much in the conflict. 'Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help in this one,' Trump said. Loading Israel says it launched its airstrike campaign to stop Iran from getting closer to being able to build a nuclear weapon. Iran and the United States had been negotiating over the possibility of a new diplomatic deal over Tehran's program, though Trump has said Israel's campaign came after a 60-day window he set for the talks. Barrot said that 'we wanted to open a discussion with the Iranian foreign minister because we believe that there is no definitive solution by military means to the Iranian nuclear problem – military operations may delay it, but they can't eliminate it'. 'We are not seeking negotiations' Iran's supreme leader rejected US calls for surrender on Wednesday and warned that any military involvement by the Americans would cause 'irreparable damage to them'. Before Friday's talks, Araghchi said in an interview aired by Iranian state television that 'in the current situation, as the Zionist regime's attacks continue, we are not seeking negotiations with anyone'. He said that 'we have nothing to discuss with the United States, which is a partner in these crimes', and Tehran rejected negotiations with the Americans. 'As for others, if they seek dialogue, not negotiations, which don't make sense right now, we have no problem with that,' he added. He said the discussion overnight would focus 'solely on the nuclear issue and regional matters', and Iran would not hold talks on its missiles with anyone. Threats to reinstate sanctions Just before meeting the European diplomats, Araghchi made a brief appearance before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. He said that Israel's 'attacks on nuclear facilities are grave war crimes', and insisted that 'we are entitled … and determined to defend our territorial integrity, national sovereignty and security with all force'. Iran has long insisted its nuclear program is peaceful, though it was the only non-nuclear-armed state to enrich uranium up to 60 per cent, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent. The three European countries played an important role in the negotiations over the original 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. But they have repeatedly threatened to reinstate sanctions that were lifted under the deal if Iran does not improve its co-operation with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.
