Iran rejects US demand to dismantle nuclear facilities amid revived talks in Oman
Tehran: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States in Oman as “much more serious and frank,” even as President Masoud Pezeshkian categorically rejected Washington’s demand for Tehran to dismantle its nuclear infrastructure.
The ongoing talks, facilitated by Oman and held in Muscat, are part of renewed efforts to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which the US unilaterally exited in 2018 during former President Donald Trump’s administration. Since then, Iran has gradually reduced its compliance with the deal.
Speaking to Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB after the fourth round of negotiations, Araghchi said the discussions had progressed from general outlines to more detailed proposals. “They are forward-moving, but the issues have become more complex,” he noted. Both delegations have agreed to continue the dialogue.
The latest session lasted nearly three hours and followed earlier meetings in Muscat on April 12 and 26, and in Rome on April 19.
However, the diplomatic progress was tempered by President Pezeshkian’s firm rejection of US demands. “This is unacceptable. Iran will not relinquish its peaceful nuclear rights,” he stated, reaffirming that the country’s nuclear program is intended for civilian applications only. He also cited a religious fatwa by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which prohibits the development of nuclear weapons.
Ahead of the Muscat talks, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff had reiterated demands for Iran to completely dismantle nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also suggested Iran import enriched uranium instead of producing it domestically.
President Pezeshkian defended Iran’s nuclear activities, calling them vital for peaceful industries such as medicine, agriculture, and energy. “We are serious in the negotiations and seek an agreement. We hold talks because we want peace,” he added, emphasising Tehran’s commitment to regional stability and dialogue.
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Cong takes swipe at PM over India not being part of US-led 'Pax Silica' grouping
New Delh (PTI) The Congress on Saturday said it is perhaps not very surprising that India is not part of a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure silicon supply chain, given the "sharp downturn" in the Trump-Modi ties, and asserted that it would have been to "our advantage if we had been part of this group".
Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the news of India not being part of the group comes after the PM had enthusiastically posted on social media about a telephone call with his "once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC".
In a lengthy post on X, Ramesh said, "According to some news reports, the US has excluded India from a nine-nation initiative it has launched to reduce Chinese control on high-tech supply chains. The agreement is called Pax Silica, clearly as a counter to Pax Sinica. The nations included (for the moment at least) are the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia."
"Given the sharp downturn in the Trump-Modi ties since May 10th, 2025, it is perhaps not very surprising that India has not been included. Undoubtedly, it would have been to our advantage if we had been part of this group."
"This news comes a day after the PM had enthusiastically posted on his telephone call with his once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC," the Congress leader asserted.
The new US-led strategic initiative, rooted in deep cooperation with trusted allies, has been launched to build a secure and innovation-driven silicon supply chain.
According to the US State Department, the initiative called 'Pax Silica' aims to reduce coercive dependencies, protect the materials and capabilities foundational to artificial intelligence (AI), and ensure aligned nations can develop and deploy transformative technologies at scale.
The initiative includes Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. With the exception of India, all other QUAD countries -- Japan, Australia and the US -- are part of the new initiative.
New Delhi will host the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 on February 19-20, focusing on the principles of 'People, Planet, and Progress'. The summit, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit, will be the first-ever global AI summit hosted in the Global South.
Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump on Thursday discussed ways to sustain momentum in the bilateral economic partnership in a phone conversation amid signs of the two sides inching closer to firming up a much-awaited trade deal.
The phone call between the two leaders came on a day Indian and American negotiators concluded two-day talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement that is expected to provide relief to India from the Trump administration's whopping 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods.
In a social media post, Modi had described the conversation as "warm and engaging".
"We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the US will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity," Modi had said without making any reference to trade ties.
