Tehran Insists on Lifting ‘All Arms Sanctions’ Despite Faltering Nuclear Talks

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani during a ceremony to unveil the “Mohajer-10” drone last month (Iranian Presidency)
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani during a ceremony to unveil the “Mohajer-10” drone last month (Iranian Presidency)
TT

Tehran Insists on Lifting ‘All Arms Sanctions’ Despite Faltering Nuclear Talks

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani during a ceremony to unveil the “Mohajer-10” drone last month (Iranian Presidency)
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani during a ceremony to unveil the “Mohajer-10” drone last month (Iranian Presidency)

Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani said on Wednesday that all sanctions on Iranian armaments were set to expire on Oct. 18.

He also expressed his ministry’s readiness to “establish and expand defense and strategic ties with all independent countries..., especially regional neighbors and Muslim nations based on the principle of collective security, mutual respect and consolidation of peace and stability,” Fars Agency reported.

Earlier this week, the commander of the Iranian Army’s Air Defense Force, Alireza Sabahifard, made similar statements, declaring Iran’s readiness for military cooperation with countries in the region.

Press reports last June noted that Tehran had received separate information from the European Union and the three European Troika regarding plans to maintain sanctions on ballistic missiles and drones, some of which expire according to the nuclear agreement’s schedule in October.

The EU decision is based on three factors: Russia’s use of Iranian drones in the Ukraine war, the possibility of Iran transferring ballistic missiles to Russia, and Tehran’s violation of the nuclear deal.

The Financial Times, citing informed sources, reported on Aug. 16 that the United States was exerting pressure on Iran to stop selling armed drones to Russia, as part of discussions on a limited understanding.

Last month, Washington and Tehran concluded a prisoner exchange agreement, which includes the release of Iran’s frozen assets in South Korea. Reports stated that there was a broader “unwritten understanding” between the two sides to ease tension, in return for Tehran reducing in uranium production.

Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60 percent is now at 121.6 kilos, which is equivalent to the amount required to develop three bombs. According to experts, the stock may decrease if enrichment is raised to about 90 percent.



Iran Sentences 3 to Death over Nuclear Scientist Killing

Fakhrizadeh was killed when his car was ambushed on a highway outside the capital in November 2020. (Reuters)
Fakhrizadeh was killed when his car was ambushed on a highway outside the capital in November 2020. (Reuters)
TT

Iran Sentences 3 to Death over Nuclear Scientist Killing

Fakhrizadeh was killed when his car was ambushed on a highway outside the capital in November 2020. (Reuters)
Fakhrizadeh was killed when his car was ambushed on a highway outside the capital in November 2020. (Reuters)

Iran has sentenced three people to death over the 2020 assassination of one of the country's top nuclear scientists, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the judiciary said on Tuesday.

"The judicial processes of these three people were carried out in the Revolutionary Court of Urmia, and they were sentenced to death in the initial stage, and the case is currently in the appeal stage," judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir told a Tehran press conference.

Fakhrizadeh was killed when his car was ambushed on a highway outside the capital in November 2020, in an attack Iran blamed on its sworn enemy Israel.

"After some investigations, three people out of eight arrested in West Azarbaijan province, were accused of committing espionage for the occupying regime of Israel," Jahangir said.

He added that the three are also "accused of transporting equipment into Iran for the assassination of martyr Fakhrizadeh under the guise of smuggling alcoholic beverages".

In December 2022, then judiciary spokesman Massoud Setayeshi said nine people had been charged with the capital offence of "corruption on earth" for their suspected collusion with Israel in the assassination.

Fakhrizadeh had been under US sanctions for his role in Iran's nuclear program when he was killed.

Iranian authorities said the attackers used a bomb and a remote-controlled machine gun.

Israel has never commented on the killing.

In 2018, the Israeli government accused Fakhrizadeh of leading Iran's efforts to develop an atomic bomb, a claim Iran has always vehemently denied.