Washington, June 23 (IANS) US President Donald Trump said any sanctions relief granted to Iran would be tied to purchases of American agricultural products, while insisting that Tehran would never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon under an emerging agreement being negotiated between the two countries.Speaking at the White House after signing executive orders on quantum technology, Trump offered his most detailed public comments yet on the state of ongoing negotiations with Iran, describing …
Latest Nuclear Program News & Updates
Washington, June 21 (IANS) US President Donald Trump warned Iran on Sunday that the United States could launch tougher military action if Tehran does not rein in allied groups in Lebanon, as administration officials argued that Iran had lost leverage ahead of a new round of negotiations in Switzerland.The warning came as Vice President JD Vance prepared for talks with Iranian officials in Switzerland aimed at advancing negotiations following months of military confrontation and disruption in the…
Washington, June 12 (IANS) The United States and Iran are close to finalising a nuclear agreement that would require Tehran to dismantle key elements of its nuclear programme, surrender enriched nuclear material and accept a long-term inspection regime in exchange for phased economic relief, the Donald Trump administration said on Friday.Negotiators have made substantial progress and could sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) within days, although some final issues still need to be resolved,…
Washington, June 2 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that Iran must commit to disposing of its highly enriched uranium and accept long-term restrictions on enrichment activities, while also revealing signs of growing divisions inside Iran’s leadership.Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio said the US administration was pursuing a phased approach to negotiations following weeks of heightened tensions and military confrontation.The first step, he sa…
Washington, May 29 (IANS) The Trump administration has laid down three non-negotiable conditions for any agreement with Iran, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, insisting that Tehran must surrender its highly enriched uranium, abandon any pursuit of a nuclear weapon and restore free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.Discussions between the two sides are continuing, but Bessent repeatedly declined to confirm reports that a tentative agreement had already been reached.”The teams have bee…
Washington, May 29 (IANS) The Trump administration claimed that its campaign of military and economic pressure has succeeded in bringing Iran to the negotiating table on its nuclear programme, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent arguing that Tehran is now discussing issues that previous US administrations could not get it to address.Bessent told reporters at a White House news conference that recent developments marked a significant shift in Iran’s position and suggested that Washington’s stra…
Washington, May 29 (IANS) US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that President Donald Trump would not accept a “bad deal” with Iran, insisting that any agreement must address Tehran’s nuclear programme and guarantee open shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz.Discussions with Iran were continuing, but Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent repeatedly declined to confirm reports of a tentative agreement, telling reporters at the White House that any deal would depend on President Donald Trump’s…
Washington, May 20 (IANS) US President Donald Trump said that Iran “wants to make a deal so badly” after recent American military strikes, while claiming Tehran’s military infrastructure had been largely destroyed and insisting the country would not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.Speaking at the annual White House Congressional Picnic, Trump mixed campaign-style political remarks with updates on the economy, foreign policy and his administration’s legislative agenda, repeatedly r…
Washington, April 27 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Monday said internal divisions within Iran’s leadership remain the biggest obstacle to any agreement with Washington, even as he indicated Tehran may be under growing pressure to strike a deal. In an interview with Fox News’ Trey Yingst on Monday, Rubio described Iran’s power structure as deeply fragmented, complicating negotiations and limiting what its officials can commit to at the table.“Other than the fact that the …
Washington, April 13 (IANS) The United States will begin enforcing a sweeping maritime blockade of vessels entering or exiting Iranian ports from April 13, escalating tensions after high-stakes talks between Washington and Tehran failed to yield agreement on key issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme.The move, announced by US Central Command (CENTCOM), follows a presidential directive and will target “all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports”, including those along the A…