US defense chief keeps two aircraft carriers in Mideast for another week

France, Britain and Germany (the E3) will reimpose sanctions on Iran if it does not abide by its commitments under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Al-Hadath reported citing a French official.

"Reimposing sanctions on Iran would not be blackmail but rather the implementation of an agreement," the official was quoted as saying.

The official said "time is pressing for all parties as the 2015 agreement nears its expiration in October. There is now an urgent need for a new agreement with Iran."

Iran on Friday condemned the US President Trump’s announcement of secondary sanctions on countries purchasing Iranian oil, calling it a violation of international law.

"Iran condemns the continuation of these illegal sanctions and pressure on Iran’s trade partners," Iran’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The statement also emphasized Iran’s commitment to diplomacy, following indirect talks with the US over the nuclear issue. "We have outlined our demands, including the removal of unjust sanctions," the Ministry added.

The comments follow a statement from US President Donald Trump, who declared that any country purchasing Iranian oil or petrochemical products would face sanctions, blocking them from conducting business with the US.

“All purchases of Iranian oil, or petrochemical products, must stop, NOW!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

A senior Iranian cleric warned on Friday that increased US threats and sanctions during nuclear negotiations could backfire, putting Washington at risk.

“The United States is escalating threats and sanctions during the negotiations — with these threats, they are endangering themselves,” said Mohammad Baqer Mohammadi Laeini, the Supreme Leader’s representative in Mazandaran Province, during Friday prayers in Sari.

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A former head of Iran’s state broadcaster said authorities have failed to provide adequate information about last week’s explosion at Shahid Rajaei port in Bandar Abbas.

“There has not been proper information-sharing about this incident,” Mohammad Hashemi told Jamaran News. “People are still asking: what caused the explosion? What were the damages? What kind of help is needed?”

Hashemi added, “To this day, it’s not clear what really happened. Either they don’t know, or they don’t want to say — I don’t know which it is.”

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A senior Iranian cleric on Friday criticized the United States for repeated delays in nuclear negotiations, accusing Washington of engaging in political showmanship.

“They say, ‘We’re not coming this week’ — such theatrics,” said Lotfollah Dezhkam, the Friday prayer leader in Shiraz and representative of the Supreme Leader in Fars Province. “It’s not important to us. They’re the ones insisting on negotiations.”

Dezhkam said Iran’s approach to the talks is guided by “wisdom, authority, and the Leader’s instructions,” and warned that Tehran would not forget past US breaches of agreements.

“We said, ‘If you say negotiate, very well — bismillah.’ But last time, didn’t they tear it up after negotiating?” he said. “Now again, they’re stalling.”

He added that Iran would continue on its path with confidence and is open to dialogue, but only under internationally accepted terms.

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