Iran Will Respond to EU’s Nuclear Text by Midnight on Monday, Says Foreign Minister

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian listens to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov during their meeting in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, June 23, 2022. (AP)
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian listens to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov during their meeting in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, June 23, 2022. (AP)
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Iran Will Respond to EU’s Nuclear Text by Midnight on Monday, Says Foreign Minister

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian listens to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov during their meeting in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, June 23, 2022. (AP)
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian listens to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov during their meeting in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, June 23, 2022. (AP)

Iran will respond to the European Union's "final" text by midnight on Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said, calling on the United States to show flexibility to resolve three remaining issues to save a 2015 nuclear pact.

"We do not want to reach a deal that after 40 days, two months or three months fails to be materialized on the ground .... we have told them that our red lines should be respected," he said.

"Specifically, there are three issues .... If these three issues are resolved, we can reach an agreement. But failure to revive the pact, would not be end of the world."

Amirabdollahian said the coming days were very important.

"We will need more talks if Washington does not show flexibility for resolving the remaining issues ... Like Washington, we have our own plan B if the talks fail," he said.

The EU, as coordinator of Iran's nuclear talks with world powers, said last week it had put forward a "final" text following four days of indirect talks between US and Iranian officials in Vienna.

Washington has said it is ready to quickly reach an agreement to restore the deal on the basis of the EU proposals.

Iranian officials said last week that they would convey their "additional views and considerations" to the EU.



Students and Journalists Stand Trial in Türkiye over Protests Sparked by Mayor's Arrest

People sit next a police security line during a protest outside the Caglayan courthouse in Istanbul on Friday April 18, 2025 (AP)
People sit next a police security line during a protest outside the Caglayan courthouse in Istanbul on Friday April 18, 2025 (AP)
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Students and Journalists Stand Trial in Türkiye over Protests Sparked by Mayor's Arrest

People sit next a police security line during a protest outside the Caglayan courthouse in Istanbul on Friday April 18, 2025 (AP)
People sit next a police security line during a protest outside the Caglayan courthouse in Istanbul on Friday April 18, 2025 (AP)

Dozens of people including journalists appeared before a court in Istanbul on Friday, accused of attending banned demonstrations and disobeying police orders to disperse during anti-government protests that were triggered by the jailing of the city’s opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu.
Imamoglu, seen as the main challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s 22-year rule, was arrested on March 19 and jailed days later on corruption charges, The Associated Press said.
His imprisonment has been widely viewed as politically motivated and sparked nationwide protests. The government insists Türkiye’s judiciary is independent and that the courts operate independently.
A total of 189 defendants, most of them university students, began defending themselves over charges of participating in banned protests and non-compliance with orders to disperse. Some have also been charged with carrying arms.
Four photojournalists and three reporters who were covering the demonstrations were also on trial. The court, however, on Friday decided to separate their case from the main trial.
The defendants are among more than 2,000 people who were detained for taking part in the country’s largest mass demonstrations in more than a decade.
During the opening hearing, lawyers demanded acquittal for all 189 defendants.
Among them was Derin Doga Kus, a 23-year-old Istanbul University student, who was detained from her home on March 24 and released from jail last week along with dozens of other students. Their release followed concerted efforts by parents to have their children set free, with many holding daily vigils outside Silivri prison, west of Istanbul.
“I spent 18 days in the Silivri prison and was released a week ago today,” Dogakus said. “We all missed our exams. Some lost their jobs.”
“This is not a legal process. It is a process where the law is trampled on," she said.
Avni Gundogan, the father of another defendant, was among hundreds who gathered outside the courthouse in support of the students.
“They engaged in democratic, peaceful and legitimate activities. They exercised their constitutional rights, and their rights were violated,” Gundogan said. “We demand a verdict of acquittal for our children.”