Tuesday, December 30, 2025
type here...
Home Blog Page 145

Nuclear chief: Iran to continue its programs within safeguard obligations

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Mohammad Eslami

Upon arrival in Russia, Eslami referred to recent remarks by Russian President Vladimir Putin during his meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in January. Eslami said nuclear energy remains the most prominent area of cooperation between the two countries.

He noted that the construction of the second and third units of the Bushehr nuclear power plant is progressing rapidly, thanks to the support of senior Iranian officials.

The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran stressed that Russia plays a defined role in Iran’s ambitious plan to generate 20,000 megawatts of nuclear power.

He spoke about Iran’s participation in the Atomexpo exhibition and related events, saying Tehran and Moscow would sign bilateral cooperation documents.

Eslami also criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for its silence over the recent US and Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities that are under safeguards.

He stressed that Iran continues its programs within safeguard obligations and will expand cooperation with the IAEA only if the agency acts impartially and in line with Iran’s parliamentary law.

North Korean leader teases ‘secret weapons’

By
IFP Media Wire
-

In a speech carried by the state-run KCNA news agency on Monday, Kim said Pyongyang must “continuously stockpile even more formidable forces capable of repelling all military threats,” and accused Washington and its allies of destabilizing the region by staging “provocative actions that further escalate tensions” and disregarding North Korea’s security concerns.

To offset the perceived threat, North Korea has “acquired new secret weapons and has achieved a significant number of research achievements in defense science,” Kim said, without elaborating.

He added that Pyongyang also “successfully built a strategic axis for safeguarding maritime sovereignty by producing destroyers capable of performing various maritime military missions.”

His comments come after North Korea said earlier this month it completed the final ground test of a solid-fuel engine intended for the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, a weapon that could potentially reach the continental US.

Last week, Kim also oversaw tests of tactical attack drones known as Kumsong and an unmanned strategic reconnaissance aircraft. In March, he observed tests of AI-powered “suicide drones.”

In his speech, Kim also reiterated his criticism of the concept of “phased denuclearization,” stressing that “we will never give up our nuclear weapons,” while noting that North Korea’s nuclear status is a “national law.”

At the same time, he struck a peaceful tone, saying if the US abandons what he called a “vain obsession with denuclearization and acknowledges reality,” the two countries would have an opportunity to forge ties.

 

France warns against seizing frozen Russian assets

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Russian Central Bank

In an interview with CBS’s Face the Nation aired on Sunday, Macron was asked about what the West was planning to do with the $300 billion in Russian sovereign assets which were frozen after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022.

“We are all very much attached to being compliant with international rules. You cannot seize these assets from the central bank, even in such a situation,” the French leader said, describing it as “a matter of credibility.”

“When some countries start to disrespect international laws… this is the beginning of a total chaos. So we will respect international law. We are predictable, and we will not do all impossible things with these frozen assets,” he added, recalling that Kiev’s Western backers are already using proceeds from the frozen assets to prop up Ukraine.

Throughout the conflict, Western policymakers have considered seizing Russian assets – most of which fall under EU jurisdiction – but have so far refrained due to the lack of a legal basis and fears it would damage global trust.

Last year, however, G7 nations supported a $50 billion loan to Ukraine secured by the income from Russian reserves. Western nations have also directly handed over to Kiev approximately $4.3 billion in proceeds from Russian assets. This month, the EU Commission floated a proposal to use Russian assets to back a reparation loan to Ukraine, which Kiev would be obligated to repay only if it receives “compensation” for damages from Moscow.

Russia has denounced both the freeze and the profit-transfer scheme as “theft,” warning that confiscation would damage the global financial system and trigger retaliation from Moscow.

Syria sets October date for first election since al-Assad’s overthrow

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Syria War

The vote for members of the parliament will take place “across all electoral districts”, the state-run SANA news agency reported on Sunday.

The announcement comes as the new government seeks to rebuild state institutions and gain legitimacy amid regional and international efforts to stabilise the war-battered country.

A third of the assembly’s 210 seats will be appointed directly by President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The rest will be chosen by local committees supervised by the electoral commission. The chamber will be tasked with approving legislation aimed at overhauling decades of state-controlled economic policies and ratifying treaties that could reshape Syria’s foreign policy.

The new parliament is also expected to “lay the groundwork for a broader democratic process” following al-Assad’s removal in December after nearly 14 years of war, SANA added. Critics, however, warn that the current system does not adequately represent Syria’s marginalised communities.

Authorities had initially said the vote would take place in September. The electoral commission previously indicated that polling in the provinces of Suwayda, Hasakah and Raqqa would be delayed because of security concerns.

Suwayda witnessed clashes in July between Druze fighters and Sunni Bedouin tribes, while Hasakah and Raqqa remain partly under the control of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

In March, al-Sharaa’s administration issued a constitutional declaration to guide the interim period until the election.

The document preserves a central role for Islamic law as well as guarantees women’s rights and freedom of expression. Opponents have expressed concern that the framework consolidates too much power in the hands of Syria’s leadership.

Al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander whose Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group played a key role in al-Assad’s fall, has also turned to regional diplomacy to bolster his government and Syria’s security.

He told local media that security talks with Israel are a “necessity”, stressing that any agreement must respect Syria’s territorial integrity and end Israeli violations of its airspace.

 

Dozens of Iranian lawmakers call for production of nuclear weapons

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Iran Nuclear Program

In their letter, the lawmakers referred to the Supreme Leader’s fatwa prohibiting nuclear weapons, stressing that under current circumstances this ban applies to the use of nuclear weapons; however, the construction and possession of such weapons, as a means of deterrence, is a different matter.

Hojjatoleslam Hassanali Akhlaqi Amiri, a representative from Mashhad, drafted the letter calling for a reconsideration of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s defense doctrine.

The letter stated that the fatwa issued in 2010 by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei, declaring the production and use of nuclear weapons forbidden, came at a time when international institutions and Western countries exercised at least minimal control over the illegitimate Zionist regime. Today, however, this usurping regime has reached the brink of madness, launching assaults wherever its evil hand can reach, violating all international obligations and shedding the blood of innocent people.

The lawmakers stressed that safeguarding Islam is tied to the preservation of the Islamic Republic system, describing this as a religious duty.

Europe refutes key Trump demand over Ukraine war

By
IFP Media Wire
-
US & EU Flags Iran Nuclear Talks

Earlier this month, the US President called on Brussels to introduce tariffs of up to 100% on Indian and Chinese goods, similar to those introduced by Washington. Trump argued that the move would increase financial pressure on Moscow to halt the Ukraine conflict by isolating countries that maintain economic ties with Russia.

”The EU will make its own decisions,” von der Leyen said, emphasizing that the bloc’s latest package of “ambitious and substantial” sanctions is enough to bring Russia to the negotiating table.

She stressed that the “increasingly complex geopolitical environment” forces the EU member states to “strengthen their partnerships based on shared interests,” adding that “closer cooperation between the EU and India is more essential than ever.”

She also stated that the bloc would continue to coordinate efforts on both sides of the Atlantic as well as with the G7 countries to help bring the Ukraine conflict to an end.

Brussels has reportedly included twelve Chinese and three Indian entities in its 19th sanctions package for allegedly helping Russia bypass previously introduced Western restrictions.

Washington, meanwhile has targeted trade with India and China.

In late August, the US imposed a 25% punitive tariff on India, bringing total import duties to 50% on most goods, citing its failure to curtail purchases of Russian oil. New Delhi’s Foreign Ministry called the move “unfair and unjustified.”

Tariffs on Chinese goods had reached as high as 145%, prompting Beijing to respond with retaliatory duties of up to 125%. After both sides agreed to temporarily lower the rates to 30% and 10% respectively earlier this year, they extended the tariff pause until November.

 

Germany says NATO jets intercept Russian spy plane over Baltic Sea

By
IFP Media Wire
-

The aircraft, an Il-20M, departed from Russia and entered international airspace without establishing communication, making visual identification the only way to confirm its presence.

According to the German Air Force, after visually identifying the aircraft, the Bundeswehr handed over its escort to Swedish NATO partners.

Equipped with radar, signals intelligence, and electronic warfare systems, the Il-20M is designed to track communications and air defenses, providing intelligence for Russian operations.

Its interception marks the latest example of Russia testing NATO’s eastern defenses.

Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland on Sept. 19, remaining for 12 minutes before leaving.

Estonia called the move a serious violation and requested consultations under NATO’s Article 4, which allows members to seek talks with allies if their security is threatened.

On the same day as the Estonian airspace violation, Poland reported that Russian fighter jets had entered the security zone around a Baltic Sea drilling platform.

Just days earlier, on Sept. 10, Poland shot down Russian drones that entered its territory during an attack on Ukraine, the first time a NATO member has directly engaged Russian military assets over its own airspace during the war.

Romania reported a similar violation on Sept. 13, scrambling two F-16s after detecting a Russian drone entering its airspace during a strike on Ukraine.

In response to growing threats, NATO launched the Eastern Sentry mission to bolster its eastern flank.

 

Iran marks start of school year with ‘Blossom Festival’ for first graders

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Iran School Girls

The symbolic ceremony, attended by Education Minister Alireza Kazemi and senior officials, took place at a school in Tehran and was replicated across the country. A first‑grade pupil rang the “Blossom Bell,” followed by the minister and his deputy.

According to official figures, more than 16.5 million students will attend classes this year, including over 9.2 million in primary schools. Of these, about 1.26 million six‑year‑olds are entering first grade for the first time.

Kazemi paid tribute to students killed in the conflict with Israel in June, encouraged children to value their teachers, and urged parents’ cooperation in raising a capable future generation.

He highlighted Iranian students’ achievements in global academic competitions and sports, despite international sanctions.

Tehran’s education chief, Majid Parsa, said the capital will host 88,000 new first graders this year and pledged to promote Iranian‑Islamic identity in schools.

Iranian MP: President Pezeshkian’s New York trip a chance to ease tensions

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

Mohammad‑Mehdi Shahriari, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, told IRNA on Monday that with the Iranian Leader’s approval and domestic consensus, the president could use the trip to hold direct talks with Western leaders and achieve constructive outcomes.

The comments come as tensions between Iran and the West have peaked, especially after the UK, France, and Germany have triggered a so-called snapback mechanism that would restore heavy UN Security Council sanctions on Iran.

Shahriari stressed that speeches at the UN and meetings with Eastern or Non‑Aligned states alone would not improve Iran’s economic and political situation, adding that direct dialogue with the US and European countries was essential for sustainable, win‑win agreements.

He urged the foreign policy team to draw on the expertise of Iranian elites at home and abroad to develop practical proposals acceptable to negotiating partners.

Warning of Israeli threats and potential UN Security Council resolutions, he said renewed sanctions and military pressure could derail sustainable development.

The New York visit scheduled to commence on Tuesday, he added, could also serve to defend national interests.

Iran to hold nuclear negotiations with Europe in New York

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Nuclear Talks in Vienna

Talks between Iran and the three European powers will take place on Monday or Tuesday in New York, an informed source told the Tasnim news agency.

The discussions will be held at the level of foreign ministers, according to the source.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is scheduled to join the meeting.

The source confirmed the timing of the session, telling Tasnim that it is expected to take place early in the week.

 

1...144145146...5,133Page 145 of 5,133

© All Content by IFP News ( Iran Front Page ) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

About Us

Popular Articles

Editor Picks