New China Defense Minister Holds Video Talks with Russia’s Shoigu 

Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu meets with President Vladimir Putin after a flag-raising ceremony for the Admiral Golovko frigate joining the Russian Navy Fleet at a shipyard in Saint Petersburg, Russia, December 25, 2023. (Sputnik/Alexei Danichev/Pool via Reuters)
Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu meets with President Vladimir Putin after a flag-raising ceremony for the Admiral Golovko frigate joining the Russian Navy Fleet at a shipyard in Saint Petersburg, Russia, December 25, 2023. (Sputnik/Alexei Danichev/Pool via Reuters)
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New China Defense Minister Holds Video Talks with Russia’s Shoigu 

Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu meets with President Vladimir Putin after a flag-raising ceremony for the Admiral Golovko frigate joining the Russian Navy Fleet at a shipyard in Saint Petersburg, Russia, December 25, 2023. (Sputnik/Alexei Danichev/Pool via Reuters)
Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu meets with President Vladimir Putin after a flag-raising ceremony for the Admiral Golovko frigate joining the Russian Navy Fleet at a shipyard in Saint Petersburg, Russia, December 25, 2023. (Sputnik/Alexei Danichev/Pool via Reuters)

China's new defense minister Dong Jun held a video call with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday, according to a defense ministry statement, in his first public engagement since being appointed last month.

Former Navy chief Dong's appointment came after his predecessor, Li Shangfu, disappeared from public view in August, throwing China's military diplomacy in doubt.

Dong told Shoigu that the Chinese and Russian militaries will "promote bilateral military relations to reach an even higher level, in order to play an even bigger role in upholding global security and stability", according to the Chinese defense ministry readout.

Dong added that both militaries will "firmly respond to global challenges and continue to enhance mutual strategic trust".

The role of China's defense minister is to be the public face of the People's Liberation Army in its engagement with the media and with other armed forces.

China and Russia's close military ties have been the target of Western scrutiny, especially after Russia's 2022 invasion of its neighbor Ukraine, which China has refused to condemn.

Western countries, including the United States, have repeatedly warned China not to provide lethal aid to Russia's battlefield efforts.

Both militaries held joint air and sea drills in the Sea of Japan in July, while South Korea had to scramble fighter jets when Chinese and Russian military planes entered its air defense zone last month.

A crucial element of Dong's job is to engage with the United States military to reduce the risk of conflict over Taiwan and the South China Sea.

High-level military talks between China and the US resumed in December after being suspended for more than a year due to a dispute over Taiwan.



Iran Says Continuing Uranium Enrichment on Its Soil 'Red Line'

People walk at the Grand Bazaar in Tehran on June 3, 2025. (AFP)
People walk at the Grand Bazaar in Tehran on June 3, 2025. (AFP)
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Iran Says Continuing Uranium Enrichment on Its Soil 'Red Line'

People walk at the Grand Bazaar in Tehran on June 3, 2025. (AFP)
People walk at the Grand Bazaar in Tehran on June 3, 2025. (AFP)

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday that Iran's right to enrich uranium on its soil was a "red line" after the United States submitted its proposal for a new nuclear deal.

"Continuing enrichment on Iranian soil is our red line," Araghchi said while on a visit to Lebanon, adding that his country will respond to the proposal in the coming days based on Iran's "principled positions and the interests of the Iranian people".

US President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated that Iran will not be allowed any enrichment of uranium under a potential deal with Washington.

Araghchi said the US proposal, submitted through mediator Oman, has "many ambiguities and questions".

On Saturday, Iran said it received "elements" of a US proposal for a nuclear deal following five rounds of talks that started in April and were mediated by Oman.

Uranium enrichment has remained a key point of contention between Washington and Tehran in the talks to seal a nuclear deal, with Iran defending what it says is its right to pursue a peaceful nuclear energy program and the US calling it a "red line".

"We will not ask anyone for permission to continue enriching uranium in Iran. However, we are ready to take steps... to ensure that this enrichment will not lead to the production of nuclear weapons," Araghchi said.

Araghchi was visiting Beirut following a stop in Cairo on Monday, where he met with Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Grossi on Monday called for more transparency from Iran following a leaked report that showed Tehran had increased production of highly enriched uranium.

The IAEA report showed that Iran has ramped up production of uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity -- close to the roughly 90 percent level needed for atomic weapons.

Western countries, including the United States, have long accused Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, while Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.