Russia Accuses US of Pursuing Issues Unrelated to Iran Nuclear Deal

Russia's Governor to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mikhail Ulyanov, leaves the Palais Coburg where closed-door nuclear talks take place in Vienna, Austria, Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. (AP)
Russia's Governor to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mikhail Ulyanov, leaves the Palais Coburg where closed-door nuclear talks take place in Vienna, Austria, Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. (AP)
TT
20

Russia Accuses US of Pursuing Issues Unrelated to Iran Nuclear Deal

Russia's Governor to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mikhail Ulyanov, leaves the Palais Coburg where closed-door nuclear talks take place in Vienna, Austria, Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. (AP)
Russia's Governor to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mikhail Ulyanov, leaves the Palais Coburg where closed-door nuclear talks take place in Vienna, Austria, Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. (AP)

Russia blamed on Friday the United States of seeking agreements on issues unrelated to the nuclear file in its negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear deal.

Russia's Governor to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mikhail Ulyanov expected diplomatic efforts to conclude in the coming days.

Conflicting reports have emerged that Washington would soon respond to a package of suggestions proposed by Iran in response to the European Union’s "final" proposal over the nuclear deal.

Ulyanov said the parties to the nuclear talks could reach a unanimous agreement about reviving the deal on September 1.

He revealed that "several issues" have been reached to revive the 2015 pact, which sought to limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

The EU is trying to bridge divides, but "we have the impression that Washington wants to resolve issues that are unrelated to the nuclear deal," he added.

On Monday night, Tehran announced that it had submitted its "written response to the text proposed by the European Union," saying that an agreement would be reached if the American answer was realistic and flexible.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Tuesday the administration is reviewing Tehran’s response.

The EU also said it was studying Iran's response.

After 16 months of fitful, indirect US-Iranian talks, with the EU shuttling between the parties, a senior EU official said on Aug. 8 the bloc had laid down a "final" offer and expected a response within a "very, very few weeks".

Washington has said it is ready to quickly seal a deal to restore the accord on the basis of the EU proposals.



Pro-Palestinian Activists Charged with Damaging Planes at UK Air Base are Held in Custody

An activist from Palestine Action sprays a military aircraft engine with red paint at RAF Brize Norton, to damage it, in Carterton, Britain, June 20, 2025, in this still image obtained from handout video. The group's action was in protest of British military assistance to Israel, claiming that they, "interrupted Britain's direct participation in the commission of genocide and war crimes across the Middle East", stating on their website. Palestine Action/Handout via REUTERS/File photo
An activist from Palestine Action sprays a military aircraft engine with red paint at RAF Brize Norton, to damage it, in Carterton, Britain, June 20, 2025, in this still image obtained from handout video. The group's action was in protest of British military assistance to Israel, claiming that they, "interrupted Britain's direct participation in the commission of genocide and war crimes across the Middle East", stating on their website. Palestine Action/Handout via REUTERS/File photo
TT
20

Pro-Palestinian Activists Charged with Damaging Planes at UK Air Base are Held in Custody

An activist from Palestine Action sprays a military aircraft engine with red paint at RAF Brize Norton, to damage it, in Carterton, Britain, June 20, 2025, in this still image obtained from handout video. The group's action was in protest of British military assistance to Israel, claiming that they, "interrupted Britain's direct participation in the commission of genocide and war crimes across the Middle East", stating on their website. Palestine Action/Handout via REUTERS/File photo
An activist from Palestine Action sprays a military aircraft engine with red paint at RAF Brize Norton, to damage it, in Carterton, Britain, June 20, 2025, in this still image obtained from handout video. The group's action was in protest of British military assistance to Israel, claiming that they, "interrupted Britain's direct participation in the commission of genocide and war crimes across the Middle East", stating on their website. Palestine Action/Handout via REUTERS/File photo

Four pro-Palestinian protesters were held in custody Thursday after their first appearance in a London court on charges they damaged two Royal Air Force planes with red paint and crowbars.

The charges come after the group Palestine Action said two of its members entered RAF Brize Norton on June 20 and used electric scooters to approach two Voyager jets used for air-to-air refueling. The protesters used repurposed fire extinguishers to spray paint into the planes’ jet engines and caused further damage with crowbars, according to the group, which released video footage of the incident, The AP news reported.

The four, all between the ages of 22 and 35, are charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to enter a prohibited place for purposes prejudicial to the interests of the UK, counterterror police said in a statement. The Crown Prosecution Service will argue that the offenses have a “terrorist connection,” police said.

The group did not enter pleas in Westminster Magistrates’ Court. They were scheduled to appear July 18 at the Central Criminal Court.

Palestine Action has claimed responsibility for a series of incidents targeting Israeli defense contractors in the UK and other sites linked to the war in Gaza.

Following the incident at RAF Brize Norton, the government introduced legislation to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. The measure, being debated in Parliament, would make it a criminal offense to belong to or support the group, with a maximum of 14 years in prison.

Palestine Action said its protests are designed to end international support for Israel’s war in Gaza.

Planes from Brize Norton, 70 miles (112 kilometers) northwest of London, regularly fly to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, Britain’s main air base for operations in the Middle East.