United News of Bangladesh

Iran said on Sunday that it would be open to discussions with the United States if the focus of the talks is specifically on addressing concerns regarding the militarization of its nuclear programme. The country’s U.N. mission posted a statement on X, saying, "If the purpose of negotiations is to address concerns regarding the possible militarization of Iran’s nuclear programme, such discussions may be considered." US plans to cut Iran’s oil exports by over 90% in renewed pressure campaign This comes after Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei rejected talks with the U.S. the previous day, arguing that the aim would be to impose restrictions on Iran's missile programme and regional influence. Khamenei's comments followed President Donald Trump’s acknowledgement of having sent a letter to Khamenei, seeking a new agreement with Tehran to limit its fast-developing nuclear programme, and to replace the nuclear deal from which he had pulled the U.S. during his first term. Khamenei argued that U.S. demands would be military and related to Iran's regional influence, and that such negotiations would not resolve issues between Iran and the West. Trump's offer comes amid warnings from both Israel and the U.S. that they will prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, sparking fears of military conflict as Tehran enriches uranium to near-weapons-grade levels, a move typically only undertaken by nuclear-armed countries. Tehran has consistently asserted that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, despite increasing threats to pursue nuclear weapons. Tensions with the U.S. over sanctions and with Israel amid a fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip also contribute to the high tensions. While allowing for discussions on militarization concerns, Iran’s statement made it clear that it would not negotiate away what it insists is its peaceful nuclear programme. Iran speeds up near weapons-grade uranium production as US tensions rise: IAEA "However, if the goal is the dismantling of Iran’s peaceful nuclear programme, to claim what Obama failed to achieve has now been accomplished, such negotiations will never take place," the Iranian mission emphasized.

Tens of thousands of Iranians marked the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with this year’s event being the first since President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, which also saw the reactivation of his “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran, reports AP. This annual observance commemorates the fall of the American-backed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and the establishment of Iran’s Shiite theocracy, amid ongoing uncertainty within the country. Iran is grappling with crippling sanctions that are devastating its economy, with the looming threat of additional sanctions from Trump, even as the president hints at a willingness to negotiate over Iran’s rapidly developing nuclear programme. Iran’s currency, the rial, plummeted to a record low of 928,500 rials to the dollar on Monday, a drop of more than 6% since Friday. On the same day, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei strongly criticised the notion of talks with the United States, calling such negotiations “unwise, unintelligent, and dishonourable.” He also implied that there should be no dealings with the US, although he did not explicitly forbid engagement with Washington. Iran launches its first drone-carrier warship Iran’s reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, who had previously taken a more conciliatory approach to the West, also adopted a firmer stance in a speech at Azadi (Freedom) Square in Tehran. He described the nation as being in a “full-fledged economic war.” “Trump announces that he wants to talk, but at the same time, he signs off on all these plots," Pezeshkian said. "They spread the idea that the country is weak. We are strong.” “We will never bow to foreigners,” he added. Despite sub-zero temperatures, demonstrators gathered in Azadi Square, waving flags, balloons, and banners. In addition to anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans such as “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” protesters also held images of Khamenei, who has ultimate authority over all state matters. One demonstrator held up a sign reading, “We are going to wipe out Israel.” Iran's military displayed replicas of some of its missiles at the square, and people took selfies in front of a truck featuring men wearing masks of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu behind bars. “I know there are many economic problems, but I am here to show that we will support our country no matter the threats from Trump or the Israelis,” said Mohsen Amini, a 48-year-old teacher. Hamideh Zamani, a 31-year-old homemaker in a black Islamic chador, attended with her two children. “We will resist any threat from the West without fear," she said. "We learned this from our fathers, to dedicate ourselves to the cause of the Islamic Republic.” Iranian state television broadcasted events across the nation, encouraging more people to participate. As an official holiday, the day took on a festive atmosphere, with schools and government offices closed, and many workers joining the public demonstrations. Iran's foreign minister meets Taliban in first visit to Kabul in 8 years The Islamic Revolution began amid widespread discontent with the rule of the shah, who, suffering from terminal cancer, fled Iran in January 1979. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned from exile, and the government fell on February 11, 1979, after days of massive protests and violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces. In April, Iranians voted to establish an Islamic Republic, with Khomeini as the country’s first Supreme Leader. Later that year, after the United States allowed the ailing shah to enter for cancer treatment, anger reached a boiling point, resulting in the seizure of the US Embassy in November 1979 by militant students. The ensuing 444-day hostage crisis marked the beginning of decades of hostility.

Iran’s supreme leader has said that engaging in talks with the United States is neither intelligent, wise, nor honourable, following President Donald Trump’s suggestion of nuclear negotiations with Tehran, reports AP. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also implied on Friday that discussions with such a government should not take place but did not explicitly forbid engaging with Washington. Iran launches its first drone-carrier warship His comments, addressed to air force officers in Tehran, seemed to contradict his earlier statements that had left room for potential negotiations. At 85 years old, Khamenei has consistently been cautious in his wording when addressing the possibility of talks with the West. Iran's foreign minister meets Taliban in first visit to Kabul in 8 years

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif urged U.S. new administration to "unconditionally" remove sanctions as the first step to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), stressing the necessity to limit the deal scope to nuclear issues.

The chief of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened Saturday to go after everyone who had a role in a top general’s January killing during a U.S. drone strike in Iraq.