The United States and Iran have made “very good progress” in discussions over Tehran’s nuclear program, with both sides describing recent negotiations as constructive. A US official confirmed that President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met face-to-face during the negotiations in Rome. “Today, in Rome over four hours in…
The Islamic Republic of Iran stands as a paradoxical military power in West Asia. Despite decades of international sanctions and economic isolation, Iran has developed formidable military capabilities that have transformed it into a significant regional force. Ranked 16th out of 145 countries in global military strength according to several military indices, Iran consistently outperforms…
The chief of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, has warned that Iran is edging dangerously close to developing a nuclear weapon. The statement came just hours before his arrival in Tehran for critical discussions with Iranian officials about the country’s contentious nuclear program. Speaking to French newspaper Le Monde, Grossi compared Iran’s nuclear…
The Trump administration has revived talks with Saudi officials over a deal that would give Saudi Arabia access to U.S. nuclear technology and potentially allow it to enrich uranium, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Sunday. The deal — which the Biden administration had pursued as part of a broader agreement for Saudi Arabia to…
The first meeting between the United States and Iran over its expanding nuclear program on Saturday displayed a seriousness of purpose and an effort to avoid what neither side wants, another war in the Middle East. They will talk again next Saturday, but the hard work lies ahead, as hard-liners in both countries, and Israel,…
A brief handshake may be the most likely outcome from preliminary diplomatic talks set for Saturday between American and Iranian officials. It would probably be enough to keep the discussions going, and potentially lead to the first official face-to-face negotiations between the two countries since President Trump abandoned a landmark nuclear accord seven years ago….
It was a closely held, urgent meeting. Iran was pondering a response to President Trump’s letter seeking nuclear negotiations. So the country’s president, as well as the heads of the judiciary and Parliament huddled with Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, last month, according to two senior Iranian officials familiar with the meeting. Mr. Khamenei…
Brandon Williams, President Trump’s pick to become the keeper of the nation’s nuclear arsenal, testified on Tuesday that he would not recommend that Mr. Trump restart explosive testing of the deadly weapons. His statement, during a confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, was unexpected. Other advisers to the administration had proposed that the…
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has in the past listed the three main threats facing Israel as “Iran, Iran and Iran.” He has largely staked his career on being Israel’s protector against Iranian nuclear ambitions, has openly confronted Tehran in recent months and is at war with Iran-backed militias around the region. Many Israelis were therefore…
Talks between the United States and Iran, which President Trump said on Monday would begin on Saturday in Oman, face considerable problems of substance and well-earned mistrust. But time is short for what is likely to be a complicated negotiation. “We’re at a fork in the road, heading toward a crisis,” said Sanam Vakil, the…