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
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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.



Austria to Purchase 12 Italian Fighter Jets

 Austrian Chancellor and head of People's Party (OeVP) Karl Nehammer looks on as he is on his way to coalition talks with the head of Social Democrats (SPOe) Andreas Babler and head of NEOS party Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Vienna, Austria, December 20, 2024. (Reuters)
Austrian Chancellor and head of People's Party (OeVP) Karl Nehammer looks on as he is on his way to coalition talks with the head of Social Democrats (SPOe) Andreas Babler and head of NEOS party Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Vienna, Austria, December 20, 2024. (Reuters)
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Austria to Purchase 12 Italian Fighter Jets

 Austrian Chancellor and head of People's Party (OeVP) Karl Nehammer looks on as he is on his way to coalition talks with the head of Social Democrats (SPOe) Andreas Babler and head of NEOS party Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Vienna, Austria, December 20, 2024. (Reuters)
Austrian Chancellor and head of People's Party (OeVP) Karl Nehammer looks on as he is on his way to coalition talks with the head of Social Democrats (SPOe) Andreas Babler and head of NEOS party Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Vienna, Austria, December 20, 2024. (Reuters)

Austria plans to buy 12 Italian-made M-346 FA fighter jets to replace Saab 105 planes which it decommissioned at the end of 2020, the government said on Saturday.

Citing military sources, newspaper Krone said a letter of intent was due to be signed on Saturday with the Italian Defense Ministry for the planes made by Italy's Leonardo.

The contract is currently being negotiated with the Italian government, the Austrian Defense Ministry said, confirming the planned purchase of the aircraft.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said the deal showed the strength of cooperation between Italy and Austria.

"My special thanks go to (Italian) Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who made a significant contribution to the conclusion of this agreement," Nehammer said in a statement.

The total cost of the purchase has yet to be determined, but about 1 billion euros ($1.04 billion) has been budgeted for it, the newspaper said.

The jets will be used for pilot training, support for ground forces and air defense, the government said.