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Military action or talks likely to only delay Iran nuclear program – Former US official

Apr 4, 2025, 08:45 GMT+1

Neither military strikes nor negotiations are likely to fully end Iran's nuclear program, potentially only delaying its advancement, according to analysis from Michael Singh, a former senior director for Middle East affairs in the George W. Bush administration's National Security Council.

Speaking to Bloomberg, Singh suggested that achieving a complete cessation of Iran's nuclear ambitions through these means is improbable.

His assessment aligns with recent warnings from Ali Larijani, a former Iranian parliament speaker and current advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who said this week that a military attack would compel Iran to aggressively pursue nuclear weapons for its defense.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei looking at uranium enrichment centrifuges used by Iran in 2021
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Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei looking at uranium enrichment centrifuges used by Iran in 2021

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Even state media sounds alarm as Iran’s economy sinks
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Even state media sounds alarm as Iran’s economy sinks

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Iran currency plunges as dollar crosses 1.8 million in open market

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US talks trigger unprecedented rift in Iran’s hardline camp

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Tehran is pricing out its daughters

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Iran taps reserves again as inflation bites and layoffs mount

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  • Even state media sounds alarm as Iran’s economy sinks
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Iran open to full nuclear verification, president says

Apr 4, 2025, 07:52 GMT+1

Iran’s nuclear activities can be placed under full verification, President Masoud Pezeshkian told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday, amid continued US pressure for a ban on Tehran’s nuclear weapons development.

“It is possible to place the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear activities under full verification, as has been done in previous years,” Pezeshkian told the Saudi leader in their phone call.

He also said that Iran seeks dialogue and rejects any military use of nuclear energy.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has never sought war or conflict, and non-peaceful use of nuclear energy has absolutely no place in our security and defense doctrine,” media in Tehran quoted him as saying.

“We are not seeking war with any country, but we have no hesitation in defending ourselves, and our readiness and capabilities in this regard are at the highest level,” Pezeshkian said, according to a statement from his office.

Pezeshkian also said that Iran is ready to engage in dialogue to reduce tensions based on mutual interests and respect, according to the statement.

In recent days, Tehran has signaled its willingness to engage in indirect talks with the Trump administration, while the US continues to favor quicker, direct negotiations.

“I think it’s better if we have direct talks,” Trump said on Thursday. “I think it goes faster, and you understand the other side a lot better than if you go through intermediaries. They wanted to use intermediaries. I don’t think that’s necessarily true anymore.”

It remains unclear whether Iran has genuinely shifted its position or if President Trump is merely speculating about Tehran’s intentions.

The US administration has continued to escalate sanctions on Iran, aiming to fully halt the country’s oil exports—especially to China. Trump has also threatened that if Tehran does not make concessions, it can become the target of military strikes.

Trump says he thinks Iran wants direct talks - Reuters

Apr 3, 2025, 21:58 GMT+1

US President Donald Trump says he thinks Tehran wants to negotiate directly with Washington.

“I think it’s better if we have direct talks,” Trump said on Thursday. “I think it goes faster, and you understand the other side a lot better than if you go through intermediaries. They wanted to use intermediaries. I don’t think that’s necessarily true anymore.” he told reporters on Thursday.

It remains unclear whether Iran has genuinely shifted its position or if President Trump is merely speculating about Tehran’s intentions.

In recent days, Tehran has signaled its willingness to engage in indirect talks with the Trump administration, while the US continues to favor quicker, direct negotiations.

US lawmaker pushes plan to dismantle Iran-backed militias in Iraq

Apr 3, 2025, 21:55 GMT+1

Republican Congressman Joe Wilson has introduced a bill in the US House of Representatives calling for the dismantling of Iran-backed groups in Iraq and sweeping sanctions on their affiliates.

The 'Free Iraq from Iran Act' specifically targets the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and other militias, urging their complete removal from Iraq’s government and security forces. It conditions all US security assistance to Baghdad on dismantling these groups and severing their control over ministries​.

It also calls for the formal designation of 11 militias—including the Badr Corps, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada—as foreign terrorist organizations.

The bill also names former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, key Iraqi officials, and entities such as Al-Rafidain Bank for potential sanctions​.

Iran does not seek conflict but is ready for self-defense, Pezeshkian says

Apr 3, 2025, 20:20 GMT+1

Iran seeks dialogue and rejects any military use of nuclear energy, President Masoud Pezeshkian told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a phone call on Thursday.

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“We are not seeking war with any country, but we have no hesitation in defending ourselves, and our readiness and capabilities in this regard are at the highest level,” Pezeshkian said, according to a statement from his office.

The statement added that Pezeshkian said the non-peaceful use of nuclear energy has no place in Iran's security and defense doctrine.

Pezeshkian also said that Iran is ready to engage in dialogue to reduce tensions based on mutual interests and respect, according to the statement.

Republican senators advocate Tehran 'regime change', economic pain

Apr 3, 2025, 19:16 GMT+1
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Arash Aalaei

Two Republican senators told Iran International on Thursday that Washington must deploy economic pressure to cripple it Mideast adversary the Islamic Republic of Iran.

"Everything we can do to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and ultimately to support regime change in Iran would be an improvement in US national security", Texas Senator Ted Cruz said.

"I think we have many points of leverage short of military action and economic and diplomatic pressure can have a profoundly powerful effect," he added. "The Ayatollah's intentions are unquestionably hostile. He is a theocratic genocidal lunatic."

Trump has threatened to bomb Iran if it does not reach a new nuclear accord. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed retaliation in the event of an attack.

Previously, the populist US President who campaigned in part on avoiding foreign wars has said he wishes the Iranian people well and suggested he does not seek the overthrow of its theocratic rulers.

Trump in February reinstated the "maximum pressure" campaign of sanctions on Iran from his first term with the aim of bringing Iranian oil sales down to zero.

Tehran denies seeking nuclear weapons but the United Nations nuclear watchdog said it now possesses the largest stockpile of enriched uranium of any non-nuclear armed state.

Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama expressed support for increased pressure on Iran, emphasizing sanctions targeting key sectors like oil and gas.

“If you're going to put sanctions on somebody – what President Trump does—for Iran and for the regime that's even killing its own people—is, you do blockade," Tuberville told Iran International.

"You take away their source of being able to make a living, and that’s through their oil and gas."