Tehran Seeks Balanced Terms in Nuclear Talks with Washington

Iran’s main Bushehr nuclear reactor, located 1,200 kilometers south of Tehran (Reuters – Archive) 
Iran’s main Bushehr nuclear reactor, located 1,200 kilometers south of Tehran (Reuters – Archive) 
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Tehran Seeks Balanced Terms in Nuclear Talks with Washington

Iran’s main Bushehr nuclear reactor, located 1,200 kilometers south of Tehran (Reuters – Archive) 
Iran’s main Bushehr nuclear reactor, located 1,200 kilometers south of Tehran (Reuters – Archive) 

Iran has underlined the need for parity and mutual respect in its ongoing dialogue with the United States over its nuclear program, rejecting any negotiations conducted under pressure or threats. While refraining from predicting the outcome, Tehran underlined that future talks must occur in a “balanced atmosphere free from coercion or imposition.”

Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, stated that the results of any upcoming negotiations remain uncertain and are largely contingent on the behavior of the United States. He told the Tasnim news agency, which is affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), that direct negotiations under pressure and threat are irrational and dishonorable. Nevertheless, he expressed support for dialogue conducted in a fair and equitable setting, calling it both rational and honorable.

Ahmadian also reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to its “clear and declared red lines,” emphasizing that the outcome of any diplomatic effort depends on the US administration’s willingness to engage respectfully.

These developments come as regional tensions remain high. Despite a recent ceasefire in the Red Sea between the United States and Yemen’s Houthi group, Israeli rhetoric against Iran has escalated, with Tel Aviv appearing frustrated over being excluded from the ceasefire arrangement. In response to these tensions, Iran has showcased its military readiness.

According to Iranian state media, Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi, commander of the Iranian Air Force, announced that all Iranian fighter jets are now equipped with domestically manufactured long-range missiles, weapons, and gear. He confirmed that the Air Force is at peak readiness and prepared to act on orders from Iran’s Supreme Leader.

Amid these developments, US Vice President J.D. Vance signaled a possible shift in American policy. In a recent statement, he suggested that Washington might be open to a deal that would reintegrate Iran into the global economy. He clarified that while Iran could pursue civilian nuclear energy, acquiring nuclear weapons remains off-limits. Vance described current talks between the two countries as “positive so far.”

A report in The New York Times cited Iranian officials who claimed their government played a role in pressuring the Houthis to halt Red Sea attacks—an action that could signal progress toward an agreement between Tehran and Washington.

Meanwhile, the international community continues to monitor the situation closely. Russia and China issued a joint statement urging restraint regarding Iran’s nuclear program and warned against resorting to military measures.

On a parallel front, the US has maintained economic pressure. The Trump administration recently imposed new sanctions on a Chinese refinery and three port operators for importing Iranian oil. These actions are part of a broader strategy to curb Iran’s oil revenues and coerce Tehran into accepting constraints on its nuclear activities.

 

 

 

 



Trump Says US Has Given Ukraine Too Many Weapons in First Public Comments on Pause in Shipments

A truck with mounted anti-aircraft cannon, of the of 127th Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, fires towards Russian drones and missiles during an overnight shift, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine July 2, 2025. (Anatolii Lysianskyi/Press Service of the 127th Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces/Handout via Reuters)
A truck with mounted anti-aircraft cannon, of the of 127th Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, fires towards Russian drones and missiles during an overnight shift, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine July 2, 2025. (Anatolii Lysianskyi/Press Service of the 127th Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces/Handout via Reuters)
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Trump Says US Has Given Ukraine Too Many Weapons in First Public Comments on Pause in Shipments

A truck with mounted anti-aircraft cannon, of the of 127th Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, fires towards Russian drones and missiles during an overnight shift, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine July 2, 2025. (Anatolii Lysianskyi/Press Service of the 127th Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces/Handout via Reuters)
A truck with mounted anti-aircraft cannon, of the of 127th Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, fires towards Russian drones and missiles during an overnight shift, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine July 2, 2025. (Anatolii Lysianskyi/Press Service of the 127th Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces/Handout via Reuters)

President Donald Trump complained Thursday that the United States provided too many weapons to Ukraine under the previous administration, his first public comments on the pause in some shipments as Russia escalates its latest offensive.

Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One for a flight to Iowa, Trump said former President Joe Biden "emptied out our whole country giving them weapons, and we have to make sure that we have enough for ourselves."

Air defense missiles, precision-guided artillery and other weapons are among those being withheld from Ukraine. The country suffered a new barrage overnight, with warnings of ballistic missiles followed by explosions in Kyiv. The sound of machine gun fire and drone engines could be heard across the capital.

Trump, who also spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, suggested he wasn't completely cutting off American assistance to Ukraine.

"We've given so many weapons," he said, adding that "we are working with them and trying to help them."

Trump said he had a "pretty long call" with Putin that "didn't make any progress" in resolving the war, which the Republican president had promised to swiftly bring to a conclusion.

"I’m not happy about that," he said.

The Kremlin described the conversation as "frank and constructive" — the sixth publicly disclosed chat between the two leaders since Trump returned to the White House.

While discussing the situation around Iran and in the broader Middle East, Putin emphasized the need to resolve all differences "exclusively by political and diplomatic means," said Yuri Ushakov, his foreign affairs adviser.

The leaders agreed that Russian and US officials will maintain contact on the issue, he added.

The United States struck three sites in Iran on June 22, inserting itself into Israel’s war aimed at destroying Tehran's nuclear program.

On the conflict in Ukraine, Ushakov said Trump emphasized his push for a quick halt to the fighting, and Putin voiced Moscow’s readiness to pursue talks with Kyiv, noting the previous rounds in Türkiye yielded humanitarian results.

At the same time, the Russian leader emphasized that Moscow will seek to achieve its goals in Ukraine and remove the "root causes" of the conflict, Ushakov said.

"Russia will not back down from these goals," Ushakov told reporters after the call.

Putin has argued he sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022 to fend off a threat to Russia posed by Ukraine's push to join NATO and to protect Russian speakers in Ukraine — arguments rejected by Kyiv and its allies. He insisted that any prospective peace deal must see Ukraine abandon its NATO bid and recognize Russia's territorial gains.

Ushakov said a suspension of some US weapons shipments to Ukraine wasn’t discussed in the Trump-Putin call.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in Denmark after meeting with major European Union backers that he may talk to Trump in the coming days about the suspension.

"I hope that maybe tomorrow, or close days, these days, I will speak about it with President Trump," he said.

The previous publicly known call between Trump and Putin came June 14, a day after Israel attacked Iran.

The resumed contact between Trump and Putin appeared to reflect their interest in mending US-Russian ties that have plummeted to their lowest point since the Cold War.

Ushakov said the leaders discussed developments in Syria and expressed interest in pursuing bilateral projects in the energy sector and space exploration, during what he described as "frank, businesslike and concrete conversation."

The Kremlin adviser added that Putin even suggested that the US and Russia could exchange movies promoting "traditional values shared by us and the Trump administration."

On Tuesday, Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron held their first direct telephone call in almost three years.