Iran Warns Against Strikes on Its Nuclear Facilities

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. (Iranian Foreign Ministry)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. (Iranian Foreign Ministry)
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Iran Warns Against Strikes on Its Nuclear Facilities

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. (Iranian Foreign Ministry)
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. (Iranian Foreign Ministry)

Iran has described any attack on its nuclear facilities as “madness” that would lead to a “major catastrophe” in the region, while urging Washington to take further steps to gain Tehran’s trust at this stage.

In televised remarks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated: “An attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities would be a disaster with dire consequences.”

He continued: “I don’t think they would make such a grave mistake. Such an action would be sheer madness and would drag the region into a major catastrophe.”

Last week, US President Donald Trump expressed hope for reaching an agreement with Iran and “avoiding strikes” on its nuclear sites.

Araghchi noted that convincing Tehran to resume negotiations with Washington “will take much longer than before,” emphasizing that the current circumstances “are far more difficult, and the US must take serious steps to earn Iran’s trust,” according to Sky News Arabia.

“Iran is willing to hear President Donald Trump’s proposals regarding new negotiations on the Iranian file,” he continued, adding: “That doesn’t necessarily mean we will reject everything that comes from the United States.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, referring to threats from what he called the “enemies of the Iranian people,” said Iran “will not back down in the face of threats and sanctions, nor will it engage in war or conflict with the world.”

Iran fears that Trump’s return to office could mean a revival of the “maximum pressure” policy aimed at forcing Tehran to change its regional behavior, particularly as its nuclear program advances toward enrichment levels close to weapons-grade.

According to Axios, Iran has proposed negotiating with Trump to sign a “new nuclear deal.” The report stated that Iranian representatives asked European diplomats to relay a message to Washington, indicating that they are waiting for a plan or proposal from the United States.

Separately, Araghchi downplayed Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, sarcastically saying: “Instead of displacing Palestinians, Jews should be relocated to Greenland.”

The minister also addressed the status of Hamas and Hezbollah - both backed by Iran -, acknowledging that they “have faced pressure and damage but continue rebuilding their capabilities.”



Erdogan Accuses Top Turkish Business Group of Political Meddling

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan delivers a statement during the United Nations climate change conference COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan November 12, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan delivers a statement during the United Nations climate change conference COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan November 12, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo
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Erdogan Accuses Top Turkish Business Group of Political Meddling

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan delivers a statement during the United Nations climate change conference COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan November 12, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan delivers a statement during the United Nations climate change conference COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan November 12, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo

President Tayyip Erdogan accused Türkiye's top business association, TUSIAD, of meddling in politics and undermining the government on Wednesday, piling pressure on a group already being investigated over an executive's remarks on democracy. Speaking to his ruling AK Party in the parliament, Erdogan said TUSIAD had "overstepped" and he dismissed it as a remnant of the past that had thrived on economic privilege and political influence.

"TUSIAD's mentality is a symbol of weak governments in Türkiye's past (and it is) full of businessmen who have grown under the shadow of unfair profits and privileges at the expense of the nation," he said.

"They once dictated politics through newspaper headlines. We put an end to that. We did not recognize any power above the will of the people," he said, accusing the group of fueling political instability and attempting to pressure the government. TUSIAD executive Omer Aras, who is the chairman of QNB's Turkish banking unit, last week criticized a government crackdown on dissenting figures, saying the probes into opposition leaders and journalists had shaken trust and damaged democracy. In response, a prosecutor's office opened an investigation into his remarks, prompting a drop in Istanbul-listed stocks. On Wednesday, Istanbul's prosecutors' office expanded the probe to include TUSIAD President Orhan Turhan, citing his statements at the group's general assembly as "misleading and disruptive to public order."

A statement on Wednesday from the Istanbul prosecutor's office said Aras and Turhan were under investigation for "attempting to influence a fair trial" and "publicly spreading misleading information," and that authorities had ordered them to appear for questioning. TUSIAD, whose members account for 85% of Türkiye's foreign trade and 80% of the country's corporate tax revenue, said on Tuesday it was working for national interests.

It did not address the investigation into Aras directly and did not immediately comment on Erdogan's remarks.

Erdogan said his government has raised per-capita income, built roads and spread prosperity since coming to power more than two decades ago. "As long as we are in power, no one will bring back the old system where a handful of elites siphoned off state resources," he said.

Opposition lawmakers have faced a wave of arrests, detentions and probes in the last few months that critics say aim to silence dissent and weaken Erdogan's rivals' electoral prospects. The government dismisses this accusation and says the judiciary is independent.