Monday, December 29, 2025
type here...
Home Blog Page 161

Iran, IAEA reach new agreement amid dispute over parliament law

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
IAEA

The agreement, signed late Tuesday in Cairo by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, was announced as a “step toward clarifying Iran’s nuclear activities.”

Grossi said it would allow broader inspections and reporting at Iranian nuclear facilities.

The Kayhan daily sharply criticized the deal, arguing it bypasses binding legislation requiring suspension of additional cooperation with the IAEA following attacks on Iranian nuclear sites by Israel and the US.

The newspaper compared the conflicting narratives to earlier disputes over the 2015 nuclear accord, warning of repeated “fact-sheet controversies.”

The daily also accused the IAEA chief of working as a “puppet” of the US and Israel, claiming he has previously handed over secret information on Iran’s nuclear sites and activities to Washington and Tel Aviv.

However, Araghchi dismissed the interpretation, insisting the deal does not grant new access to IAEA inspectors.

He stressed that cooperation would be limited to existing commitments, including fuel replacement at the Bushehr nuclear plant, and emphasized that “the agreement is fully in line with the law passed by parliament.”

Israel’s assault against Qatar proves its ‘terrorist’ nature: Iran’s Armed Forces

By
IFP Media Wire
-

“This brutal, barbaric, and undeniable aggression is a clear indication of the terrorist and aggressive nature of this fake, illega,l and rootless Zionist regime,” the General Staff of the Armed Forces said in a statement on Wednesday.

As the White House confirmed that the United States had been informed in advance of the attack against Qatar, its key regional ally, the statement noted it has become “clear and evident” to the world that the United States is “complicit” in all crimes committed by the Israeli regime.

It is also proof, the statement added, that Washington shows no respect for the global public opinion and its own allies.

“The United States, with [its] direct and indirect support for the Zionist regime’s crimes, seeks to create insecurity in the world and the region and to promote international terrorism in order to achieve its evil, colonial and exploitative goals.”

The expansion of Israel’s “brutal” acts of aggression poses a “serious” threat to the regional countries and the entire world, the statement read.

The statement urged unity among Muslim nations to confront the threats from the United States and Israel, urging all countries to sever ties with the regime to stop this “insane” war machine.

The General Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces said the Axis of Resistance will continue to stand firm against arrogance and oppression.

The Resistance fighters are determined to defend the oppressed people of Palestine and will never allow the United States and the Zionist regime to achieve their “disgraceful” goals, the statement added.

On September 9, Israel launched airstrikes on the headquarters of Hamas in Doha, in what was described as an “assassination operation” that claimed the lives of several members of the movement as well as a Qatari security officer.

The top Hamas leadership, including Khalil al-Hayya, Khaled Meshal, and Zaher Jabarin, survived the assassination attempt.

The Foreign Ministry of Qatar, a key mediator between Israel and Hamas during Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, rebuked the “cowardly Israeli attack,” calling it a violation of international law and a threat to Qatar’s security.

Hamas also condemned, in a strongly-worded statement, Israel’s attempted assassination targeting its negotiating delegation in Doha and said the onslaught was a “heinous crime.”

The Israeli onslaught sparked a whirlwind of condemnations from world leaders and regional resistance groups, as well as rights organizations.

 

Israeli PM pledges to target opponents abroad after strike in Qatar

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Benjamin Netanyahu

Unfazed by international outrage over the attack in the Qatari capital, Netanyahu said on Wednesday that countries should “applaud” Israel for its bombing and killing spree across the Middle East.

“I say to Qatar and all nations who harbour terrorists, you either expel them or you bring them to justice — because if you don’t, we will,” he added.

The comments came a day after Israel carried out an unprecedented attack in Qatar, targeting senior Hamas leadership in Doha as discussions on a US-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza were under way.

In response, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a condemnation of the Israeli prime minister’s comments, calling them a “shameful attempt … to justify the cowardly attack that targeted Qatari territory, as well as the explicit threats of future violations of state sovereignty”.

“Netanyahu is fully aware that the hosting of the Hamas office took place within the framework of Qatar’s mediation efforts requested by the United States and Israel,” it said.

“Such statements are hardly surprising coming from an individual who relies on extremist rhetoric to win elections and is wanted for international justice, facing mounting sanctions on a daily basis – factors that only deepen his isolation on the global stage.”

In just three days, Israel has launched attacks in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Tunisia and Qatar, while continuing daily raids in the occupied West Bank.

 

Israel kills dozens in Yemen attack after bombing Qatar

By
IFP Media Wire
-

Yemen’s Ministry of Health said on Wednesday that 131 people were wounded in Israeli aggression on Sanaa and al-Jawf. It described the figures as a preliminary toll, warning the number could rise as rescue teams continue to search for victims.

The ministry added the raids struck civilian and residential areas, including homes in Sanaa’s al-Tahrir neighbourhood, a medical facility on 60th Street in the southwest of the city, and a government compound in al-Jawf’s capital, al-Hazm.

Civil defence teams are working to extinguish fires caused by the bombardment and pull survivors from the rubble, it announced.

According to the Houthi-run Al Masirah TV, the raids targeted a medical facility for the health sector in southwest Sanaa and the local government compound in al-Hazm.

“Martyrs, wounded, and several homes damaged as a result of the Israeli attack on the Moral Guidance Headquarters,” Al Masirah TV posted on Telegram on Wednesday, adding that the attack resulted in casualties.

The extent of any damage was not immediately clear. The Yemen Oil and Gas Corporation reported Israeli jets targeted a medical station on al-Sitteen Street in Sanaa.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said that the group used surface-to-air missiles against the Israeli incursion, adding that some Israeli planes were turned back before they were able to discharge their weapons.

“Our air defences were able to launch a number of surface-to-air missiles while confronting the Zionist aggression against our country,” the group announced via Telegram.

“Some combat formations were forced to leave before carrying out their aggression, and the bulk of the attack was thwarted, thanks be to God.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that this attack was in response to a Houthi drone strike on Ramon Airport in Israel a few days ago.

“This [attack] did not weaken our hand – we struck them again from the air today, at their terror facilities, at terror bases with a great many terrorists, and also at other facilities”, he wrote on X.

“We will continue to strike. Anyone who strikes us, anyone who attacks us – we will reach them,” he threatened.

Israel has repeatedly bombed Yemen, including its main airport, killing civilians and damaging infrastructure in the war-torn country. Last month, Israel killed top Yemeni officials, including Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi, in an air strike.

Saree accused Israel of trying to pressure the group to abandon their support for Gaza, but pledged operations against Israel would continue until its genocidal war on Gaza halts.

The group has imposed a maritime blockade on Israeli-linked ships passing through the Red Sea and has carried out air attacks against Israel in solidarity with Palestinians.

The Houthis have stressed that they would stop attacking Israel when a ceasefire is agreed in Gaza, which has been turned to ruins by 23 months of relentless Israeli bombardment. More than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched the war in October 2023.

As well as waging genocidal war in Gaza, Israel has also bombed Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. It has also cracked down on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, displacing thousands of them from their homes.

On Tuesday, Israel bombed a residential building housing Hamas leaders as they were meeting to discuss the latest Gaza ceasefire proposals from US President Donald Trump. At least six people were killed in the attack, but Hamas said its top leadership survived the assassination attempt.

Last week, Israel was slammed for dropping grenades near the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon.

 

UN sanctions, any hostile action will nullify Iran’s agreement with IAEA: FM

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Abbas Araghchi

“This document and its continuation are conditional on no hostile action being taken against the Islamic Republic of Iran. For instance, if the so-called snapback mechanism is activated, the implementation of this document will also be halted,” Araghchi said.

‘Snapback’ refers to the automatic reinstatement of UN sanctions against Iran. It is a mechanism under UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers.

On August 29, France, Germany, and Britain (the E3) triggered the countdown for the automatic return of UN sanctions, including a comprehensive arms embargo and major banking and shipping restrictions on Iran.

Iran has condemned the move, saying the three countries have been influenced by the United States, which withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018.

Araghchi stated that the new agreement with the IAEA took into consideration the new conditions that arose after the US attack on Iran’s peaceful nuclear sites.

“As one of the members of the NPT and based on previous agreements, we always cooperated with the Agency, and our program has also been peaceful and under the Agency’s supervision.”

“However,” Araghchi added, “after the (US) attack, conditions changed, and in talks with the Agency, we emphasized that cooperation can no longer continue as before and that a new framework must be defined for it.”

The Iranian minister said central to the agreement is that it “officially recognizes the new conditions that have emerged” and that Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA must take place within a new framework.

He added the document acknowledges that Iran’s security concerns are “legitimate and must be taken into account.”

Noting that the law of the Iranian Parliament has been “explicitly” acknowledged in the document, Araghchi said the cooperation with the Agency will take place within the framework of this law and in full coordination with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

He added the new agreement does not grant the IAEA inspectors any access, noting that the form of inspections and the access the IAEA should have will be determined in future talks.

“Overall, it can be said that a new step has been taken in the right direction,” the Iranian minister continued.

Araghchi said the new step “completely eliminates pretexts and disarms those who sought to exploit the situation for their own goals.”

He expressed hope that the agreement will “pave the way for a diplomatic solution.” Araghchi added the other side must also be “sincere and serious” in this regard.

The agreement was signed between Araghchi and the Director General of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, in Cairo, on September 9.

The agreement came about after the Islamic Republic suspended cooperation with the IAEA in the aftermath of the unprovoked acts of aggression by the United States against key Iranian nuclear facilities in June.

The suspension came into force in line with a law passed by the Iranian Parliament that had been passed in protest at an anti-Iran resolution ratified by the IAEA under Western and Israeli pressure, which was used by the aggressors to try to justify the attacks in June.

 

Russia rejects Polish ‘drone attack’ claims

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Kremlin

On Wednesday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that the country’s military had shot down a “huge number of Russian drones.” Warsaw has described the incident as an “unprecedented violation of Polish airspace” and an “act of aggression.”

However, Peskov has dismissed the accusations, pointing out that “The EU and NATO leadership accuse Russia of provocation on a daily basis. Most often, without even trying to provide any arguments.”

He further noted that, to his knowledge, the Kremlin has not yet received any request for contact from the Polish leadership over the incident.

Meanwhile, Russia’s charge d’affaires in Warsaw, Andrey Ordash, told RIA Novosti that when he was summoned to the Polish Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, the Polish authorities did not provide any evidence that the downed UAVs belonged to Russia. He noted that the drones had flown into Poland from Ukraine.

Tusk has claimed, however, that the aircraft came from Belarus rather than Ukraine, and characterized the incident as a Russian “provocation.”

The Belarusian military had previously reported giving Poland early warning that some drones used by Ukrainian and Russian forces for mutual attacks “lost their track as a result of the impact of the parties’ electronic warfare assets.”

After announcing the alleged airspace violation, Tusk formally invoked Article 4 of NATO’s founding treaty, which provides for consultations in case one of the bloc’s members believes its security is threatened.

 

US wants EU to slap India and China with 100% tariffs: FT

By
IFP Media Wire
-

According to the newspaper, Trump made the demand during a recent call-in to a meeting between senior US and EU officials in Washington, where strategies for raising the economic costs of the Ukraine conflict for Russia were being discussed.

One US official said Washington was “ready to go, ready to go right now, but we’re only going to do this if our European partners step up with us.”

“The president came on this morning and his view is that the obvious approach here is, let’s all put on dramatic tariffs and keep the tariffs on until the Chinese agree to stop buying the oil,” the source was quoted as saying. A second official added that the US was prepared to “mirror” any tariffs imposed by Brussels on Beijing and New Delhi.

EU officials had already begun debating potential secondary sanctions against China for its energy imports from Moscow, though they stressed the talks were still at an “early stage” and dependent on US support, according to an earlier FT report.

New Delhi has pushed back against external demands to reduce its reliance on Russian crude. Last month, Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, citing its energy ties with Moscow.

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responded by calling the move “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,” stressing that New Delhi’s oil policy is driven by domestic economic needs.

Beijing has also rejected Western pressure over its energy purchases, insisting it will “ensure its energy supply” in line with its national interests. Chinese officials have warned that “tariff wars have no winners.”

Russia has emerged as one of the largest suppliers of oil to both China and India since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has cautioned the West against using a “colonial tone” toward Beijing and New Delhi, saying last week that efforts to punish them are aimed at slowing their economic rise.

“Countries like India – almost 1.5 billion people, and China – 1.3 billion people, boast powerful economies and live by their own domestic political laws,” Putin said. “Talking to such partners in such a tone of voice is unacceptable.”

 

Zelensky calls for ‘joint’ air defence with Europe after Russian drones downed in Poland

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Volodymyr Zelensky

Poland said it downed several Russian drones that Moscow had fired towards Ukraine in its latest overnight barrage, an incident that drew widespread condemnation and warnings from the NATO member’s allies.

Zelensky said it showed the need for a combined Ukraine-Europe air defence shield.

“Ukraine has long proposed to its partners the creation of a joint air defence system to ensure the guaranteed downing of ‘Shaheds’, other drones, and missiles through the combined strength of our combat aviation and air defences,” Zelensky said on social media.

Russia has fired tens of thousands of drones at Ukraine in overnight attacks throughout the three-year-war, escalating its aerial barrages as peace talks have stuttered.

The Ukrainian leader said the violation of Poland’s airspace was a “dangerous precedent” for Europe, saying it was “no accident”.

“There have been previous incidents of individual Russian drones crossing the border and travelling a short distance into neighbouring countries. But this time, we are recording a much larger scale and deliberate targeting,” he said on social media.

He urged Kyiv’s allies to issue a strong response to the attack, which he called an attempt to “humiliate” EU and NATO member Poland.

“Russia must feel that the response to this escalatory step, and even more so to an attempt to humiliate one of Europe’s key countries, will be clear and strong from all partners,” Zelensky said.

Kyiv has been pushing Washington and Brussels to advance hard-hitting sanctions on Russia that would hobble its ability to attack Ukraine.

Zelensky said that at least eight Russian drones were aimed towards Poland during Russian attacks overnight.

Poland shot down drones that entered its airspace during a widespread Russian attack in western Ukraine on Wednesday, believed to be the first time a member of the alliance has fired shots in the war. Poland called the incursion “an act of aggression”.

“Today there was another step of escalation – Russian-Iranian ‘shaheds’ operated in the airspace of Poland, in NATO airspace,” Zelensky wrote on X, referring to Iranian-made drones widely used by Russia.

“It was not just one ‘shahed’ that could be called an accident, but at least eight strike drones aimed toward Poland,” Zelensky added.

 

FM: IAEA deal respects Iran security concerns, sets new framework for cooperation

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Iran Nuclear Program

According to Araghchi, the deal will remain valid only if no hostile action, including the snapback mechanism, is taken against the Islamic Republic.

Araghchi made the remarks at the end of his visit to Egypt, where he met IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi for over three hours and also held talks with Egyptian officials, including the foreign minister and president.

He thanked Cairo for its role in facilitating the agreement, calling Iran-Egypt ties “moving forward” with many obstacles removed.

The minister explained that the deal was shaped in response to the US attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

He said all stages of negotiation were approved by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and were aligned with parliamentary law.

Araghchi underlined that under the agreement, “no access is currently given to IAEA inspectors”, except for the Bushehr nuclear plant due to fuel replacement.
He noted that future access, if any, will depend on Iran’s reports and must be negotiated later.

“There has been no discussion on the form and type of access,” he said, adding that such issues are postponed to future talks.

He also said the agreement takes away excuses from those seeking pretexts against Iran and could pave the way for a diplomatic solution, if other parties act seriously.

Qatar dismisses White House claim Trump sent warning before Israel’s attack

By
IFP Media Wire
-
White House

The statement from the White House on Tuesday came hours after the strike on a residential area in Qatar’s capital, Doha. Qatar has been a lead mediator in US-backed ceasefire talks aimed at ending the war in Gaza.

“The Trump administration was notified by the United States military that Israel was attacking Hamas, which, very unfortunately, was located in a section of Doha, the capital of Qatar,” White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

“Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals,” she said. “However, eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal.”

Leavitt added that Trump had directed his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to “inform the Qataris of the impending attack”.

However, Qatar refuted the characterisation, with a spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying claims that the government had been “pre-informed of the attack are completely false”.

“The call that was received from an American official came during the sound of the explosions that resulted from the Israeli attack in Doha,” Majed al-Ansari wrote in a statement on X.

Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the call from the US came ten minutes after the attack began, describing the incident as “state terrorism”.

Hamas announced the strike killed five of its members but that its main negotiating team had survived. Among the dead was a Qatari security officer, the country’s Ministry of Interior confirmed.

Qatar had helped to broker a pause in fighting in Gaza in November 2023 and a six-week ceasefire in January 2025. Its role has been regularly praised by both the administration of former US President Joe Biden and current President Trump.

Israel struck central Doha just days after Trump issued a warning to Hamas’s negotiating team as he pushed for a new ceasefire. The US has repeatedly accused Hamas of stalling negotiations. Israel has been accused of repeatedly scuttling the talks.

“The Israelis have accepted my Terms. It is time for Hamas to accept as well,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday.

“I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting. This is my last warning, there will not be another one!”

Following the attack, Hamas said those targeted had been discussing Trump’s latest proposal.

The group added that the strike “confirms beyond doubt that Netanyahu and his government do not want to reach any agreement and are deliberately seeking to thwart all opportunities and thwart international efforts”.

“We hold the US administration jointly responsible with the [Israeli] occupation for this crime, due to its ongoing support for the aggression and crimes of the occupation against our people,” the group said.

Leavitt, meanwhile, told reporters that Trump “believes this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for peace”.

She said Trump had spoken with Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu after the strike, but did not say if he threatened any actions against the close US ally.

The Qatari Amiri Diwan also confirmed in a statement that the US president held a phone call with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and condemned the attack.

“For his part, His Highness the Emir affirmed that the State of Qatar condemns and denounces in the strongest terms this reckless, criminal attack and considers it a flagrant violation of its sovereignty and security and a clear breach of the rules and principles of international law,” the Diwan said.

Sheikh Tamim said the attack threatened the stability of the region and obstructed “efforts to de-escalate and reach sustainable diplomatic solutions”.

“Qatar will take all necessary measures to protect its security and preserve its sovereignty,” the statement quoted Sheikh Tamim as saying.

Qatar has indicated it will not, for the time being, abandon its role as mediator.

1...160161162...5,131Page 161 of 5,131

© 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