UK, France and Germany Seek Comprehensive Deal with Iran

An Iranian man holds a picture of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei while taking part in a pro-Palestine rally in Tehran, Iran, 10 October 2025.  EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
An Iranian man holds a picture of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei while taking part in a pro-Palestine rally in Tehran, Iran, 10 October 2025. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
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UK, France and Germany Seek Comprehensive Deal with Iran

An Iranian man holds a picture of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei while taking part in a pro-Palestine rally in Tehran, Iran, 10 October 2025.  EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
An Iranian man holds a picture of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei while taking part in a pro-Palestine rally in Tehran, Iran, 10 October 2025. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH

The leaders of the UK, France and Germany on Friday said it was right to trigger the snapback mechanism that reimposed UN Security Council sanctions on Iran.

In a statement following the significant developments in the Middle East, the E3 countries affirmed they are determined to reinitiate negotiations with Iran and the United States towards a comprehensive, durable and verifiable agreement that ensures Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon.

“We agree that it was right that the snapback mechanism had been triggered. Iran’s nuclear program poses a serious threat to global peace and security,” the three European countries said.

The E3 then called on all UN member states to abide by the restrictions reapplied by the snapback mechanism.

The statement came after US President Donald Trump said his administration is open with Iran.

At a cabinet meeting in the White House, Trump said Tehran told the administration it was in favor of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage deal and that the US would work with Iran.

“We'd like to see them be able to rebuild their country too, but they can't have a nuclear weapon,” said Trump.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Israel is “not interested” in conflict with Iran and is committed to a peaceful resolution.

Israel informed Moscow that it wants to avoid confrontation with Tehran, Russia's Tass agency reported on Thursday.

Speaking at the Russia-Central Asia summit in Tajikistan, Putin said: “We continue to maintain trusting contacts with Israel and are receiving signals from the Israeli leadership asking us to convey this to our Iranian friends that Israel is committed to further resolution and is not interested in any kind of confrontation.”

On September 28, the United Nations reinstated an arms embargo and other sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program following a process triggered by European powers that Tehran has warned will be met with a harsh response.



NATO: Ukraine Still Receiving Arms Despite Mideast War

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte via Reuters/File
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte via Reuters/File
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NATO: Ukraine Still Receiving Arms Despite Mideast War

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte via Reuters/File
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte via Reuters/File

Ukraine is still getting essential defense equipment despite the war in the Middle East, which is depleting stockpiles in Europe and the United States, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Thursday.

"The good news is that essential equipment into Ukraine continues to flow," he told reporters. That included American-made Patriot missile interceptors, which Ukraine desperately needs, he added, AFP reported.

The PURL program, launched last year, allows Ukraine to receive US equipment financed by European countries.

Some 75 percent of the missiles used by Patriot batteries in Ukraine have been supplied through the program, and 90 percent of the munitions used by other air-defense systems, Rutte added.

Rutte called on European countries to increase their own production capacity.

"They need to produce more extra production lines, extra shifts, opening new factories. The money is there," he said.


Germany FM Says 'Encouraging' if US Speaking Directly to Iran

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. (Reuters: File Photo)
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. (Reuters: File Photo)
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Germany FM Says 'Encouraging' if US Speaking Directly to Iran

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. (Reuters: File Photo)
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. (Reuters: File Photo)

Germany's foreign minister Thursday said it was encouraging if the United States was talking directly to Iran to end the war in the Middle East, but Washington should make its intentions clear.

"I hear that there are signs that the US is speaking directly to Iran. I think that this is encouraging and this is welcome," Johann Wadephul told reporters before heading into the meeting of G7 foreign ministers outside Paris, AFP reported.

With US Secretary of State Marco Rubio set to join the discussions from Friday, he added: "For the German government it is of great importance to know precisely what our American partners are intending."


US Envoy Witkoff Says Iran is Seeking an Off-ramp

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, US, March 26, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, US, March 26, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
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US Envoy Witkoff Says Iran is Seeking an Off-ramp

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, US, March 26, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, US, March 26, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

The United States has sent Iran a "15-point action list" as a basis for negotiations to end the current conflict, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said on Thursday, adding that there are signs that Tehran was interested in making a deal.

 

Witkoff, speaking during a cabinet meeting at the White House, said that the nascent talks could be successful if the Iranians realize there were no good alternatives - a realization Tehran might be coming to, he argued, Reuters reported.

 

"We will see where things lead, and if we can convince Iran that this is the inflection point with no good alternatives for them other than more death and destruction," Witkoff told reporters.

 

"We have strong signs that this is a possibility."

 

Witkoff said Pakistan had been acting as a mediator, confirming statements from Pakistani officials.