Americas

Report: Biden under pressure as Vienna talks resume

US President Joe Biden is in a tough spot as the Iran nuclear talks resume in Austria. The American leader is facing growing bipartisan concern that even if a deal is reached, it may be insufficient to curb Tehran's nuclear program.

US approves arms sale to Saudi Arabia, UAE

The US State Department has approved sales of weapons and warplanes to Middle East allies, namely the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

Leaked documents show US failures in Afghanistan

Leaked notes from a White House Situation Room meeting the day before Kabul fell shed new light on just how unprepared the US administration was to evacuate Afghan nationals who'd helped Washington in its 20-year war.

Pentagon puts 1,000s troops on alert over Russia tensions

As tensions intensify over Russia-Ukraine crisis, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has placed roughly 8,500 military personnel on heigh alert to potentially deploy to Eastern Europe, the Pentagon announced.

Russia calls on US to stop speculations about Ukraine invasion

Russia has urged the United States to stop spreading speculations about Moscow's alleged plans to invade Ukraine.

US says has many scenarios for ‘Russian invasion’ of Ukraine

Washington has prepared 18 response scenarios in case Russia decides to invade Ukraine as the West fears it might do, Under-Secretary of State Victoria Nuland claims.

US Secret Service taking Iran Trump threats seriously

The US Secret Service continues to track and monitor threats of vengeance against former President Donald Trump, who ordered the assassination of Iran’s top commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani.

Russia warns US against imposing sanctions on Putin

Washington imposing sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin would be an "over-the-top" measure, comparable to breaking off relations, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Kremlin says not optimistic on US talks

The Kremlin spokesperson says Moscow was not optimistic after a first round of talks with the United States on the Ukraine crisis. Dmitry Peskov added Russia would not allow its demands for security guarantees from the west to become mired in tortuous negotiations.

Russia says not optimistic about talks with US

A top Russian diplomat says Moscow is not optimistic about the forthcoming talks with Washington. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Rybakov added Russia will not give in to US pressure or make any concessions ahead of the Geneva talks set for 10 January.

Russia slams US stance over Kazakhstan unrest

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has denounced remarks by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken over Moscow's involvement in Kazakhstan unrest. The top US diplomat has said Kazakhstan would have a difficult time getting the Russian forces, invited to quell the unrest, to leave the country.

US: Diplomatic solution possible over Russia-Ukraine crisis

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says a diplomatic solution is still possible to resolve the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Binken however warned Russia of “massive consequences” if it continues what he called aggressive actions in Europe.

US: Some modest progress in Vienna talks

US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price says there was some progress in the last round of nuclear negotiations in Vienna.

Ulyanov: U.S. sanctions obstacle to progress in Vienna talks

Russia's chief negotiator to the Vienna talks says the issue of sanctions imposed by the United States against Iran is hampering the negotiations between the Islamic Republic and the P4+1 group.

China: US Assassination of Gen. Soleimani war crime

China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman says the assassination of Iranian commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani is a war crime the United States has committed through abuse of force.

Ex-UK diplomat: Assassination of Gen. Soleimani US ‘systematic deception’

Former UK Ambassador to Syria says the United States is establishing a record of systematic deception in its now-discredited public accounts of the assassination of Iran's anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and the capture of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

US-Turkey top diplomats discuss normalization of ties

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu held talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken over phone on Monday. Normalization of bilateral ties as well as Russia-Ukraine tensions were discussed.

Raisi: Trump must face retribution over gen. Soleimani assassination

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi says former U.S. president Donald Trump must be brought to justice and face retribution for ordering the assassination of anti-terrorism icon General Qassem Soleimani.

Biden says US will ‘respond decisively’ If Russia invades Ukraine

US President Joe Biden told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the US and its allies "will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine", according to a readout of a call between the two leaders provided by the White House.

Iran calls for UNGA condemnation of Gen. Soleimani assassination

The office of Iran’s vice president for legal affairs has written a letter to the president of the UN General Assembly, calling on the body to issue a resolution in condemnation of the assassination of top Iranian commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani.

Putin tells Biden sanctions could cause complete severance of ties

Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a call with his US counterpart Joe Biden that relations between the two countries could be severed completely in the event the threatened "unprecedented sanctions" become a reality, Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov told reporters on Friday.

US voices concern over Iran rocket launch

A US State Department spokesperson expressed Washington’s concern about Tehran’s development of space launch vehicles, citing quote military aspects in Iran’s nuclear program. Iran stresses it acts within international laws and regulations and that the country is not after atomic weapons

“Russia, China do not meddle with Iran’s stance in Vienna talks”

The top Russian negotiator in the Vienna talks has denied reports that Russia and China persuaded Iran to drop some of its demands in the talks.

Russia: Iran not stalling nuclear talks

Moscow sees no reason to accuse Tehran of stalling the Vienna negotiations on the return to the full-fledged implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Thursday.

Blinken discusses Iran, Russia with E3 top diplomats

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with French, German and British foreign ministers over Iran's nuclear program and Russia-Ukraine tensions, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said.

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