عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
World

Iran Rejects French Call for Wider Talks Beyond Nuclear Deal

French President Emmanuel Macron waits for the arrival of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (not seen) at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, June 7, 2019. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
French President Emmanuel Macron waits for the arrival of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (not seen) at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, June 7, 2019. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
TT
TT

Iran Rejects French Call for Wider Talks Beyond Nuclear Deal

French President Emmanuel Macron waits for the arrival of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (not seen) at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, June 7, 2019. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
French President Emmanuel Macron waits for the arrival of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (not seen) at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, June 7, 2019. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

Iran rejected French calls for wider international talks over its nuclear and military ambitions, saying on Friday it would only discuss it existing 2015 atomic pact with world powers.

French President Emmanuel Macron had said a day earlier that Paris and Washington both wanted to stop Tehran getting nuclear arms and new talks should focus on curbing its ballistic missiles program and on other issues.

But Iran's foreign ministry said it would not hold any discussions beyond the 2015 pact which US President Donald Trump abandoned last year as he pressed for tougher restrictions.

"Under this circumstances, talking about issues beyond the deal ... will lead to further mistrust among the remaining signatories of the deal," foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in a statement.

The United States pulled out of the 2015 agreement - under which Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear work in exchange for sanctions relief- saying it did was not permanent and did not do enough to control Iran's missiles and regional influence.

France and other European signatories to the deal have said they wanted to save it, but many of their companies have canceled deals with Tehran, under financial pressure from the United States.

"The Europeans have so far failed to fulfill their commitments under the deal and ... to protect Iran's interests after America's illegal withdrawal," Mousavi added in his statement, according to state TV.

Trump said on Thursday that Iran was failing as a nation, under the pressure of his sanctions, and repeated his call for talks with the leadership in Tehran.

Mousavi dismissed Trump's comments as "repetitive, groundless and paradoxical" and said they did not merit a response.

Iran's top authority Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has dismissed Washington's call for negotiations.

However, Iran's pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani has signaled Iran's willingness to hold talks if the US showed its respect and returned to the nuclear accord.

Most Viewed

 
 
World

6,000 Inmates Escape from High-security Prison in Mozambique

Some of the prisoners at the facility snatched weapons from the guards and started freeing other detainees. (file photo/The AP)
Some of the prisoners at the facility snatched weapons from the guards and started freeing other detainees. (file photo/The AP)
TT
TT

6,000 Inmates Escape from High-security Prison in Mozambique

Some of the prisoners at the facility snatched weapons from the guards and started freeing other detainees. (file photo/The AP)
Some of the prisoners at the facility snatched weapons from the guards and started freeing other detainees. (file photo/The AP)

At least 6,000 inmates escaped from a high-security prison in Mozambique’s capital on Christmas Day after a rebellion, the country's police chief said, as widespread post-election riots and violence are roiling the country.

Police chief Bernardino Rafael said 33 prisoners died and 15 others were injured during a confrontation with the security forces.

The prisoners fled during violent protests that have seen police cars, stations and infrastructure destroyed after the country’s Constitutional Council confirmed the ruling Frelimo party as the winner of the Oct. 9 elections.

The escape from the Maputo Central Prison, located 14 kilometers (9 miles) southwest of the capital, started around midday on Wednesday after “agitation” by a “group of subversive protesters” nearby, Rafael said, The AP reported.

Some of the prisoners at the facility snatched weapons from the guards and started freeing other detainees.

“A curious fact is that in that prison we had 29 convicted terrorists, who they released. We are worried, as a country, as Mozambicans, as members of the defense and security forces,” said Rafael.

“They (protesters) were making noise, demanding that they be able to remove the prisoners who are there serving their sentences”, said Rafael, adding that the protests led to the collapse of a wall, allowing the prisoners to flee.

He called on the escaped prisoners to surrender to authorities and for the population to be informed about the fugitives.

Videos circulating on social media show the moment inmates left the prison, while other recordings reveal captures made by military personnel and prison guards. Many prisoners tried to hide in homes, but some were unsuccessful and ended up being detained again.

In one video, a prisoner still with handcuffs on his right wrist says he was held n the disciplinary section of the prison and was released by other inmates.

Violence has engulfed Mozambique since the country’s highest court confirmed ruling Frelimo party presidential candidate Daniel Chapo as the winner of disputed Oct. 9 elections on Monday.

Mozambique's Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda told a news conference in Maputo late Tuesday that the violence was led by mostly youthful supporters of losing candidate Venancio Mondlane, who received 24% of the vote, second to Chapo, who got 65%.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is concerned at the violence and urges all political leaders and relevant parties “to defuse tensions including through meaningful dialogue (and) legal redress,” UN associate spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay said Thursday.

The UN chief also calls for a halt to the violence and redoubled efforts “to seek a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis,” she said.

Associated Press