Iran Foreign Ministry Says US Not Serious About Pursuing Diplomacy

An Iranian woman walks next to a wall painting of Iran’s national flag on a street in Tehran, Iran, 20 April 2026. (EPA)
An Iranian woman walks next to a wall painting of Iran’s national flag on a street in Tehran, Iran, 20 April 2026. (EPA)
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Iran Foreign Ministry Says US Not Serious About Pursuing Diplomacy

An Iranian woman walks next to a wall painting of Iran’s national flag on a street in Tehran, Iran, 20 April 2026. (EPA)
An Iranian woman walks next to a wall painting of Iran’s national flag on a street in Tehran, Iran, 20 April 2026. (EPA)

Iran's foreign ministry said Monday that the United States was not serious about pursuing diplomacy, citing what it called "violations" of their two-week ceasefire.

"While claiming diplomacy and readiness for negotiations, the US is carrying out behaviors that do not in any way indicate seriousness in pursuing a diplomatic process," said ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a weekly press briefing.

He said a US attack on an Iranian cargo ship early Monday, the US naval blockade on Iranian ports, and delays in implementing a ceasefire in Lebanon were all "clear violations of the ceasefire".

Iran has been at war with Israel and the United States since February 28 when strikes killed supreme leader Ali Khamenei, triggering a conflict that has engulfed the region.

Tehran and Washington have since held a round of negotiations which failed to culminate in a deal to end the war. It took place against the backdrop of a fragile two-week ceasefire which began on April 8.

US President Donald Trump said Sunday he had ordered US negotiators to travel to Pakistan on Monday to hold another round of talks, but Iran has yet to confirm its attendance.

"As of now, while I am at your service, we have no plans for the next round of negotiation, and no decision has been made in this regard," said Baqaei.

Key sticking points include Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium and the status of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which has been largely closed since the outbreak of the war.

"Regarding the issue of transferring enriched uranium, neither during this period of negotiations nor before has transferring it to the United States been discussed," Baqaei said.

"It was never raised as an option for us," he added.



2nd Passenger Train Derails in England in 2 Days

14 August 2026, United Kingdom, Lewes: Rail workers and police officers investigate at the scene where a train with around 150 people on board derailed near Lewes railway station in East Sussex on Thursday. Photo: James Manning/PA Wire/dpa
14 August 2026, United Kingdom, Lewes: Rail workers and police officers investigate at the scene where a train with around 150 people on board derailed near Lewes railway station in East Sussex on Thursday. Photo: James Manning/PA Wire/dpa
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2nd Passenger Train Derails in England in 2 Days

14 August 2026, United Kingdom, Lewes: Rail workers and police officers investigate at the scene where a train with around 150 people on board derailed near Lewes railway station in East Sussex on Thursday. Photo: James Manning/PA Wire/dpa
14 August 2026, United Kingdom, Lewes: Rail workers and police officers investigate at the scene where a train with around 150 people on board derailed near Lewes railway station in East Sussex on Thursday. Photo: James Manning/PA Wire/dpa

A passenger train derailed near London on Friday, British Transport Police said, the second derailment in two days after two people were seriously injured when another train came off the tracks on Thursday.

Police said officers, paramedics and firefighters were at the scene near Wickford train station in Essex, about 30 miles east of London (48 kilometers), after receiving reports that the rear carriages of a train derailed. The carriages were in an “upright position," police said, and no injuries were reported.

National Rail said officials were working to understand what happened, and major disruptions to train services were expected through Friday afternoon.

The incident came less than 24 hours after a train from London to Eastbourne went off the tracks outside the southern English town of Lewes. Three carriages overturned, seriously injuring two people and causing minor injuries for 18 others.

All passengers were evacuated within about three hours, The Associated Press quoted the transport police as saying.

The cause of the derailment is under investigation.


World Bank Says it Disbursed $200 Million to Colombia for Quake Response

Volunteers participate with rescue teams in search and rescue operations after the earthquake that struck Colombia (Reuters)
Volunteers participate with rescue teams in search and rescue operations after the earthquake that struck Colombia (Reuters)
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World Bank Says it Disbursed $200 Million to Colombia for Quake Response

Volunteers participate with rescue teams in search and rescue operations after the earthquake that struck Colombia (Reuters)
Volunteers participate with rescue teams in search and rescue operations after the earthquake that struck Colombia (Reuters)

The World Bank on Friday said it had disbursed $200 million to Colombia for its emergency response to a deadly August 10 earthquake that left hundreds dead.

The multilateral development bank said it was working with the Colombian government and development partners, financial institutions and the private sector to address immediate needs, while laying the foundations for recovery, Reuters reported.

The bank said it had also launched a Global Rapid Assessment of Damages from Earthquakes (GRADE) to provide the Colombian government with an early assessment of damages and economic losses to help Bogota prioritize aid and reconstruction efforts.

Efforts were underway to channel financing to affected communities and businesses, including support for public health, housing, and small and medium-sized enterprises, the bank said.

The 7.4-magnitude quake struck shortly after 7:30 a.m. on Monday, toppling apartment blocks and damaging homes, schools and hospitals across western Colombia.

Authorities on Friday said that 285 people had been killed and nearly 4,000 injured. Nearly 400 others were still missing.

 

 

 


Pentagon Signs Deals with Boeing, RTX to Boost Missile Interceptor Component Production

Pete Hegseth, Pentagon'da düzenlediği basın toplantısı sırasında (Reuters)
Pete Hegseth, Pentagon'da düzenlediği basın toplantısı sırasında (Reuters)
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Pentagon Signs Deals with Boeing, RTX to Boost Missile Interceptor Component Production

Pete Hegseth, Pentagon'da düzenlediği basın toplantısı sırasında (Reuters)
Pete Hegseth, Pentagon'da düzenlediği basın toplantısı sırasında (Reuters)

The Pentagon on Friday announced framework agreements with Boeing and RTX to increase production of components of SM-3 Block IIA and SM-3 Block IB munitions, Reuters reported.

Both agreements will strengthen production of a series of critical ship-fired surface-to-air interceptors that underpin the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, the Pentagon said in a statement.