Washington-Tehran Nuclear Talks Postponed as Iran Reasserts Red Lines

Iranians walk past an anti-US mural in Tehran bearing the slogan “Death to America,” with skulls replacing the stars on the American flag (AFP)
Iranians walk past an anti-US mural in Tehran bearing the slogan “Death to America,” with skulls replacing the stars on the American flag (AFP)
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Washington-Tehran Nuclear Talks Postponed as Iran Reasserts Red Lines

Iranians walk past an anti-US mural in Tehran bearing the slogan “Death to America,” with skulls replacing the stars on the American flag (AFP)
Iranians walk past an anti-US mural in Tehran bearing the slogan “Death to America,” with skulls replacing the stars on the American flag (AFP)

As diplomatic activity intensified around Iran’s nuclear program, Tehran moved to reestablish firm “red lines” ahead of anticipated talks with the United States next week. On the same day, Russia encouraged both sides to pursue a “fair agreement,” while the European Union urged Iran to help de-escalate regional tensions.

Iranian officials adopted a tough tone, insisting that upcoming negotiations must remain strictly confined to the nuclear issue. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani emphasized that Tehran is committed to diplomacy, but said the US must show genuine goodwill.

“Our red lines are clear. We are only discussing the nuclear file and will remain firm in our rightful stance,” she told reporters on Tuesday.

The talks were originally scheduled for the previous weekend but were postponed due to what Oman’s foreign minister described as “logistical reasons.” The next round—reportedly the fourth—is now expected to take place early next week in Muscat. While Iranian outlet Nournews reported that the talks would resume on Sunday, a source close to the Iranian negotiation team said dates were still under discussion.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, affirming Moscow’s support for a “fair agreement” grounded in international law. According to a Kremlin statement, Russia reiterated its willingness to assist the negotiation process.

Later that day, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she had spoken with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, urging a de-escalation of regional tensions and reaffirming the EU’s commitment to diplomacy. She also raised concerns about Iran’s military support for Russia and the detention of EU citizens.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi echoed those concerns in a separate conversation with Kallas, underscoring the agency’s central role in monitoring nuclear compliance.

In Tehran, former MP Elias Naderan warned against surrendering Iran’s nuclear capabilities, cautioning that Western powers might treat Iran like Libya if it concedes too much. “Sanctions only strengthen resistance,” he said, urging cooperation without compromising national principles.



Russia Focusing Airstrikes on Ukraine Draft Offices to Derail Recruitment, Kyiv Says

A view shows ruins of buildings in the abandoned town of Marinka (Maryinka), which was destroyed in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in the Donetsk region, a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine, April 1, 2025. (Reuters)
A view shows ruins of buildings in the abandoned town of Marinka (Maryinka), which was destroyed in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in the Donetsk region, a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine, April 1, 2025. (Reuters)
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Russia Focusing Airstrikes on Ukraine Draft Offices to Derail Recruitment, Kyiv Says

A view shows ruins of buildings in the abandoned town of Marinka (Maryinka), which was destroyed in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in the Donetsk region, a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine, April 1, 2025. (Reuters)
A view shows ruins of buildings in the abandoned town of Marinka (Maryinka), which was destroyed in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in the Donetsk region, a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine, April 1, 2025. (Reuters)

Russia killed two people in an airstrike on the central Ukrainian city of Poltava on Thursday and damaged a military draft office there in what Kyiv said was a concerted campaign to disrupt recruitment for its war effort.

The strike on Poltava, which also injured 47 people and caused a fire at the city's main draft office, followed a drone attack on Monday near a recruitment center in Kryvyi Rih. Both cities are regional capitals.

"We understand that their (Russian) goal is to disrupt the mobilisation process," Vitaliy Sarantsev, a spokesperson for Ukraine's ground forces, told Ukraine's public broadcaster, Reuters reported.

"But I want to say that...it is too early (for Russia) to uncork the champagne because the process is impossible to stop."

Ukraine has struggled to fend off a bigger and better-equipped Russian army, and its call-up process has been marred by reports of draft-office corruption, poor training and weak battlefield command.

Well into the fourth year of its full-scale invasion, Russia has gained ground in eastern Ukraine and repeatedly hit cities far behind the front lines with drones and missiles, while also waging a sabotage campaign there, Kyiv's domestic security agency says.

In a statement to Reuters last month, the Security Service of Ukraine said it had arrested more than 700 people since 2024 for alleged crimes that included arson attacks on troop vehicles and bombings at draft offices.

A Ukrainian security official, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, said Russia was aiming to derail Kyiv's military call-up effort also by spreading disinformation and hacking recruitment office computers.

"The disruption of mobilisation is closely linked to the spread of panic and intimidation of the population," the source said, adding that bombings were part of the general strategy.

INTENSIFYING STRIKES

Russian forces have also stepped up strikes on military training grounds in recent weeks, prompting Kyiv's top general to order a strengthening of security measures at bases.

A missile attack on southeastern Ukraine this week killed a brigade commander. Ukrainian forces have also staged longer-range attacks on Russian bases in occupied territory as well as deep inside Russia.

Thursday's strike on Poltava came after the US said it had paused some weapons shipments to Ukraine, which drew warnings in Kyiv that the move would harm Ukraine's defence against intensifying Russian air strikes and battlefield gains.

Separately on Thursday, two people were killed in a ballistic missile strike on port infrastructure in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa, said regional governor Oleh Kiper.

Dozens of people have been killed in recent drone and missile salvoes at Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv.