This is Beirut

EU top Diplomat Holds Nuclear Talks with Iran as Sanctions loom

This is Beirut, 05/09 09:05 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

European Union Tehran Kaja Kallas Iran Doha

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas met Thursday in Doha with Tehran's top diplomat to seek a "negotiated solution" to Iran's nuclear program, as the clock ticks down towards a reimposition of sanctions, the EU said. The meeting came after European powers last week triggered a deadline for sanctions to come back into force on Iran for failing to ...

Hezbollah’s Weapons: A Leaky Umbrella

Marc Saikali, 04/09 08:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Hezbollah Israel Tehran United States Washington Lebanon

On Friday, the Council of Ministers is, in principle and unless the session is postponed, scheduled to examine the army's plan to disarm Hezbollah. The key question is: Will there be a timeline or not? Without one, Hezbollah would gain time and save face while waiting to see how negotiations between Iran and the United States unfold. For everyone ...

Post-Berri Speech: Would Iran Use Hezbollah’s Weapons in Nuke Negotiations?

Philippe Abi-Akl, 02/09 11:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Hezbollah Lebanese Forces Israel Lebanese Army Tehran

Without ceremony or pomp, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri buried the American proposal brought to Lebanon by envoy Tom Barrack, a plan already endorsed by the Lebanese government. In a televised address marking the 47th anniversary of Imam Musa al-Sadr’s disappearance with his two companions, Berri declared, “We are open to ...

Europeans Tell Iran Offer on Table to Avoid Sanctions

This is Beirut, 29/08 22:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump United Nations European Union Israel Tehran

European powers said Friday they were ready to drop a new sanctions push on Iran if it addresses concerns on its nuclear program over the next month, but Tehran denounced the offer as insincere. Britain, France and Germany, known as the E3, triggered the so-called "snapback" mechanism the previous day to reinstate UN sanctions on Tehran for ...

Putin to Meet Iranian President After Europe Triggers Sanctions

This is Beirut, 29/08 17:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Tehran Russia Nuclear Putin Masoud Pezeshkian

Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss Tehran's nuclear program with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, in China on Monday, a meeting that comes as Iran faces fresh Western pressure. Britain, France and Germany have moved to reimpose sanctions on Iran, saying the country is failing to comply with a 2015 nuclear deal. Moscow on ...

Iranian Nuclear Issue: Moscow and Beijing Express Concerns Over EU Ultimatum

This is Beirut, 29/08 11:30 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Tehran United Nations Nuclear Moscow Beijing Nuclear

Following the European decision to trigger the mechanism that could reinstate international sanctions against Iran within a month—a move set to be reviewed Friday by the UN Security Council, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-president, Kaja Kallas said Friday, “Western countries now have 30 days to find ...

Hezbollah: The Voice of Its Master

Marc Saikali, 28/08 08:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Hezbollah Gulf Middle East Tehran Turkey Lebanon Iran

Hezbollah and its weapons, a never-ending tale. Same story, on repeat. Giving up the arsenal? Never. Without it, there is no arbitrary power, no rent to collect. And like any loyal client, Hezbollah clings to its dealer: Iran. Each time an Iranian leader takes the stage or embarks on a “diplomatic” tour, the pattern is predictable. Days ...

Iran Says Return of IAEA Inspectors not Full Resumption of Cooperation

This is Beirut, 27/08 15:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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Iran said Wednesday that the return of UN nuclear inspectors did not represent a full resumption of cooperation, which was suspended in the aftermath of June attacks by Israel and the United States. A team of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency has returned to Iran, its director general Rafael Grossi said, the first to enter ...

UN Nuclear Watchdog Chief says Inspectors 'Back in Iran'

This is Beirut, 27/08 09:35 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

United Nations Tehran Nuclear IAEA

The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog has said a team of its inspectors are "back in Iran," the first to enter since Israeli and US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities this year. Iran suspended cooperation with the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency following a 12-day war with Israel in June, with Tehran pointing to the IAEA's ...

Barrack-Ortagus Mission: Advancing Lebanese Sovereignty

This is Beirut, 26/08 20:55 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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On Tuesday, the US delegation led by envoys Thomas Barrack and Morgan Ortagus highlighted growing alignment between Washington and Lebanese authorities, working with international support toward restoring Lebanese sovereignty. The collaboration was evident during a marathon day of meetings. Barrack and Ortagus, joined by Senators Jeanne Shaheen ...

Iran says Negotiating with 'All Our Might' to Prevent Sanctions Snapback

This is Beirut, 26/08 13:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump Israel Tehran Nucleair

Iran said Tuesday it was making every effort to prevent a sanctions snapback, which European powers have threatened to impose under the moribund 2015 nuclear deal. "Our focus is on preventing actions or incidents that may be costly for the country," said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei during a weekly press conference. He added that ...

Australia Expels Iran Ambassador Over Antisemitic Attacks

This is Beirut, 26/08 08:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Israel Tehran Australia Diplomat Ambassador

Australia expelled Iran's ambassador on Tuesday, accusing the country of being behind antisemitic arson attacks in Melbourne and Sydney. It marks the first time Australia has expelled an ambassador since World War II. Intelligence services reached the "deeply disturbing conclusion" that Iran directed at least two antisemitic attacks, Prime ...

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