Israel reiterates demand that Iran’s nuclear programme be dismantled after Tehran and Washington report optimistic third spherical.
Iran has accused Israel of “openly” attempting to scupper negotiations as talks with the US over Tehran’s nuclear programme seem like progressing.
Iranian Overseas Minister Abbas Araghchi mentioned on Monday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “dictating what [US] President [Donald] Trump can and can’t do in his diplomacy with Iran”.
In response to a third round of US-Iran negotiations that appeared to assemble momentum in Oman over the weekend, Netanyahu reiterated calls for that Iran’s nuclear programme be totally dismantled.
Israel’s fantasy that it may dictate what Iran might or might not do is so indifferent from actuality that it hardly deserves a response.
What’s putting, nevertheless, is how openly Netanyahu is now dictating what President Trump can and can’t do in his diplomacy with Iran.…
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 28, 2025
Araghchi had earlier indicated “cautious” optimism after Saturday’s Omani-mediated talks with US Center East envoy Steve Witkoff.
The negotiations are aimed toward guaranteeing Iran doesn’t use its nuclear programme to develop weapons. In trade, Tehran would obtain reduction from worldwide sanctions.
A senior US official reported “additional progress” had been remodeled the weekend, based on the Reuters information company.
Nonetheless, the talks have put Israel on alert. Netanyahu insisted late on Sunday that the one “whole lot” to emerge from the talks can be one which eliminated “all of [Iran’s nuclear] infrastructure”.
The Israeli chief, who has refused to rule out an assault on Iran’s nuclear services, mentioned he had instructed Trump that any nuclear settlement reached with Iran also needs to stop Tehran from growing ballistic missiles.
Trump, who has threatened navy motion in opposition to Iran a number of instances, mentioned in an interview revealed on Friday that he thought a deal would occur. He added that whereas Netanyahu may “go right into a battle”, the US was “not getting dragged in”.
Nonetheless, he warned the US may “go in very willingly if we are able to’t get a deal”.
“If we don’t make a deal, I’ll be main the pack,” he mentioned.
IAEA talks in Iran
Trump pushed for brand new Iran nuclear talks performed below a “most stress marketing campaign” after returning to workplace in January.
He unilaterally tore up a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and 6 world powers, together with the US, in 2018 throughout his first presidential time period, after which Tehran went on to speed up its enrichment of uranium to close weapons-grade high quality.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the world’s nuclear watchdog, expressed “severe concern” in a February report.
In one other signal that progress is being made within the ongoing negotiations, Iran’s Ministry of Overseas Affairs mentioned a technical crew from the IAEA had arrived in Tehran for talks with nuclear consultants.
Araghchi had earlier prompt that the IAEA might be part of the following spherical of talks with the US, that are provisionally scheduled for Saturday, based on Omani Overseas Minister Badr Albusaidi, though a venue has but to be introduced.
On alert
Amid Israel’s displeasure over the nuclear talks, Iran’s safety forces have been on alert.
On Saturday, Iran’s Shahid Rajaee port, positioned close to the southern metropolis of Bandar Abbas, was rocked by a big explosion.
The trigger stays unknown. Studies that it was attributable to a cargo of missile gas have been denied by Iran.
Iran’s official IRNA information company reported on Monday that the loss of life toll had reached 46 with 138 wounded.
On Monday, Iran’s Infrastructure Communications Firm mentioned it had repelled a “widespread and sophisticated” cyberattack, based on a report by the semiofficial Tasnim information company.
Iran has up to now accused Israel of being behind such assaults.
