US has no right to demand end to Iran's nuclear program, president says

The US embassy in Baghdad is set to be evacuated due to increased security threats in the region, Reuters reported on Wednesday citing an Iraqi security source and a US official.

“The State Department is set to have an ordered departure for (the) US embassy in Baghdad. The intent is to do it through commercial means, but the US military is standing by if help is requested,” one American official was quoted as saying.

The development comes after Iran’s Defense Minister warned earlier in the day that Tehran would target US military bases in the region if tensions with Washington escalate or nuclear talks collapse.

"Based on our latest (security) analysis, we decided to reduce the footprint of our Mission in Iraq," Axios journalist Barak Ravid quoted a State Department official as saying.

Iraq's state news agency, citing a Baghdad government source, said "steps related to evacuation of US diplomatic presence are not only for Iraq, but several states in Middle East."

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Iran's mission to the United Nations on Wednesday criticized the commander of US Central Command for mooting a potential attack on Iran the previous day.

Asked by congressman on Tuesday whether the military would use "overwhelming force" if Tehran does not permanently renounce its nuclear ambitions, Lieutenant General Michael Kurilla responded, "Yes."

"Threats of 'overwhelming force' won’t change facts: Iran is not seeking a nuclear weapon, and U.S. militarism only fuels instability," the mission wrote on X.

"CENTCOM’s legacy of fueling regional instability, through arming aggressors and enabling Israeli crimes, strips it of any credibility to speak on peace or non-proliferation. Diplomacy—not militarism—is the only path forward."

The European Union "remains gravely concerned by Iran’s protracted failure to sufficiently cooperate with the Agency in resolving long outstanding safeguards issues and that the Agency remains unable to provide assurance that Iran’s nuclear program is exclusively peaceful," it said on Wednesday.

"It is deeply regrettable that, despite five Board resolutions and many reasonable opportunities provided over the past six years, Iran has not fulfilled its legal obligation to clarify the outstanding issues regarding undeclared nuclear material or facilities," the EU's mission told the UN nuclear watchdog's Board of Governors.

"Iran repeatedly either failed to respond to or provide technically credible answers to the Agency’s questions," it added, "while pursuing activities consistent with concealment efforts, including extensive sanitization and the provision of inaccurate explanations."

"This has impeded the Agency’s verification activities and obstructed the effective implementation of safeguards."

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned European powers against a resolution at the UN nuclear watchdog drafted by the United States as well as the so-called E3 powers Britain, France and Germany which is due later on Wednesday.

"The E3 have had SEVEN YEARS to implement their JCPOA commitments. They have utterly failed, either by design or ineptitude," Araghchi wrote on X, referring to a 2015 international nuclear deal.

"Instead of displaying remorse or a desire to facilitate diplomacy, the E3 is today promoting confrontation through the absurd demand that Iran must be punished for exercising its right under the JCPOA to respond to non-performance by counterparts."

"Another major strategic mistake by the E3 will compel Iran to react STRONGLY," Araghchi added. "Blame will lie solely and FULLY with malign actors who shatter their own relevance."

The resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is due to be introduced within hours.

Araghchi did not make any mention of the United States, possibly reflecting caution as delicate nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington continue.

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US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Wednesday that signs pointed to Iran potentially seeking a nuclear weapon.

Hegseth was asked by US Senator Lindsay Graham, "Mr. Secretary, have the Iranians been trying to build a nuke?"

"There are plenty of indications that they have been moving their way towards something that would look a lot like a nuclear weapon," Hegseth replied, without elaborating.

Graham later added, "Is there a whole lot of difference between a nuclear weapon in the hands of al Qaeda and the Ayatollah in Iran? I don't think so. They just have a different religious reason to do it."