3 Iran Guards Killed in Border Clash

In this July 19, 2011 file photo, a group of Iranian border guards march at the eastern border of Iran near Zabol, Sistan and Baluchestan province. (AP)
In this July 19, 2011 file photo, a group of Iranian border guards march at the eastern border of Iran near Zabol, Sistan and Baluchestan province. (AP)
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3 Iran Guards Killed in Border Clash

In this July 19, 2011 file photo, a group of Iranian border guards march at the eastern border of Iran near Zabol, Sistan and Baluchestan province. (AP)
In this July 19, 2011 file photo, a group of Iranian border guards march at the eastern border of Iran near Zabol, Sistan and Baluchestan province. (AP)

Three Iranian border guards were killed on Friday by unknown gunmen in a Kurdish area near the country's western border with Iraq.

The official IRNA news agency said the three were killed in clashes with “bandits” while patrolling near the town of Sardasht, located about 530 kilometers west of the capital, Tehran.

It said several of the attackers were also killed during the clash but did not elaborate further.

The area has seen occasional fighting between Iranian forces and Kurdish separatists, as well as militants linked to the extremist ISIS group.

Earlier in May, unknown gunmen killed three members of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard in a shootout that also took place in a Kurdish area.

Iran’s eastern border has been the scene of occasional clashes with Baluch militants.



Germany, France and UK Ready to Hold Talks with Iran, Says German Minister

 14 June 2025, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Johann Wadephul, Germany's Foreign Minister, speaks at a press conference in the residence of the German ambassador in Riyadh. (dpa)
14 June 2025, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Johann Wadephul, Germany's Foreign Minister, speaks at a press conference in the residence of the German ambassador in Riyadh. (dpa)
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Germany, France and UK Ready to Hold Talks with Iran, Says German Minister

 14 June 2025, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Johann Wadephul, Germany's Foreign Minister, speaks at a press conference in the residence of the German ambassador in Riyadh. (dpa)
14 June 2025, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Johann Wadephul, Germany's Foreign Minister, speaks at a press conference in the residence of the German ambassador in Riyadh. (dpa)

Germany, France and Britain are ready to hold immediate talks with Iran over Tehran's nuclear program in an effort to de-escalate the situation in the Middle East, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said.

Wadephul, who is on a visit to the Middle East, said he was trying to contribute towards a de-escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran, noting that Tehran had previously failed to take the opportunity of constructive talks.

"I hope that's still possible," Wadephul told German public broadcaster ARD late on Saturday. "Germany, together with France and Britain are ready. We're offering Iran immediate negotiations about the nuclear program, I hope (the offer) is accepted."

"This is also a key prerequisite for reaching a pacification of this conflict, that Iran presents no danger to the region, for the state of Israel or to Europe."

Wadephul, who is in Oman on Sunday, said the conflict would be ended only when influence is exerted on Iran and Israel from all sides.

"There's a shared expectation that within the next week, a serious attempt must be made on both sides to interrupt the spiral of violence," he said.

When asked whether he believed the Iranian government could fall, Wadephul said his assumption was that it was not Israel's intention to bring down the administration in Tehran.

Turning to Gaza, Wadephul said the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave was unacceptable and urged Israel to allow unrestricted access to aid organizations.

"The hunger, the dying, the suffering of the people in Gaza must come to an end," he said, adding that Hamas was to blame for the conflict and that the group must release hostages held since Hamas-led fighters raided Israel in October 2023.