Military Space News
NUKEWARS
Trump warns of decision time as Iran prepares nuclear counter-proposal
Trump warns of decision time as Iran prepares nuclear counter-proposal
By Shaun Tandon and Danny Kemp with Ramin Khanizadeh in Tehran
Washington (AFP) June 9, 2025

President Donald Trump said Monday that new US-Iran talks this week could make clear if a nuclear deal is possible to avoid military action, as Tehran readies a counter-proposal on a potential agreement.

Trump spoke by telephone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose office said the US leader informed that he had made a "reasonable offer" to Iran.

Netanyahu has threatened to strike the nuclear sites of Iran, whose cleric-run government he sees as Israel's existential enemy, but Trump has said he has held him back.

"We're trying to make a deal so that there's no destruction and death," Trump told reporters after what he described as a positive call with Netanyahu.

"But it might not work out that way. We'll soon find out," Trump said.

Trump said the latest meeting with Iran was expected Thursday, although a source familiar with preparations said it would more likely be on Friday or Saturday.

In a key sticking point, Iran has insisted on the right to enrich uranium at low levels for civilian use -- as allowed under a 2015 deal negotiated by former president Barack Obama which Trump tore up in his first White House term.

"They seek enrichment. They can't have enrichment," Trump said.

"So far, they're not there. I hate to say that because the alternative is a very, very dire one," he said.

"But they're not there. They have given us their thoughts on the deal and I said, it's just not acceptable."

- 'Reasonable, logical and balanced' -

Iran and the United States last held talks on May 31, after which Iran said it had received "elements" of a US proposal.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later said the text contained "ambiguities."

Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei criticized the US proposal as "lacking elements" reflective of the previous rounds of negotiations mediated by Oman, without providing further details.

"We will soon submit our own proposed plan to the other side through Oman once it is finalised," Baqaei told a press briefing.

"It is a proposal that is reasonable, logical and balanced, and we strongly recommend that the American side value this opportunity."

Also on Monday, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi told state news agency IRNA that Iran's response "is a framework for agreement."

"If we reach an understanding on this framework in principle, further extensive negotiations will begin on its details," he added.

Iran's parliament speaker has said the US proposal failed to include the lifting of sanctions -- a key demand for Tehran, which has been reeling under their weight for years.

Israel has hit Iran directly, impeding its air defenses, since the October 7, 2023 deadly attacks by Tehran-sponsored Hamas which also triggered its Gaza offensive.

Iran's top security body, however, warned Monday that it had intelligence on Israeli nuclear facilities and could carry out counterattacks should Israel strike.

- IAEA tension -

Iran currently enriches uranium to 60 percent, far above the 3.67-percent limit set in the 2015 deal and close though still short of the 90 percent needed for a nuclear warhead.

Western countries, including the United States, have long accused Iran of seeking to acquire atomic weapons, while Iran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.

The United Nations nuclear watchdog on Monday began a Board of Governors meeting in Vienna that will last until Friday to discuss Iran's nuclear activities among other topics.

"I call upon Iran urgently to cooperate fully and effectively with the International Atomic Energy Agency," said IAEA chief Rafael Grossi in his opening speech.

"Unless and until Iran assists the agency in resolving the outstanding safeguards issues, the agency will not be in a position to provide assurance that Iran's nuclear program is exclusively peaceful," he added.

Iran has warned European powers of counter-measures to reduce cooperation with the IAEA if European powers back a draft resolution that accuses Tehran of non-compliance.

rkh-mz-pdm-dk-sct/mlm

Related Links
Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com
Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com
All about missiles at SpaceWar.com
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
NUKEWARS
Iran demands US guarantee it will lift sanctions in nuclear talks
Tehran (AFP) June 2, 2025
Iran pressed the United States on Monday for guarantees that it will drop sanctions as a condition for a nuclear deal, after the White House reportedly sent a proposal it deemed "acceptable". With Iran and the United States engaged in talks over Tehran's nuclear programme since April, Washington's proposal for a deal came after a leaked UN report said Iran had stepped up production of highly enriched uranium. Iran's top diplomat and lead nuclear negotiator Abbas Araghchi was due to meet the head ... read more

NUKEWARS
Israel army says intercepts Yemen missile after air raid sirens sound

Israel army says intercepts Yemen missile after air raid sirens sound

Israel intercepts Yemen missile, Huthi rebels claim attack

Israel military says intercepted two projectiles fired from Yemen

NUKEWARS
Russian strike kills 12 Ukrainian soldiers during training: Kyiv

Merz says Germany, Ukraine to jointly produce long-range weapons

Merz says Kyiv's key allies no longer limit range of weapons

Russia strikes Kyiv after first stage of major prisoner swap

NUKEWARS
Ukraine strikes Russian bombers ahead of Istanbul talks

'Aces up the sleeve': Ukraine drone attacks in Russia shake up conflict

Russia says killed man attempting drone attack on military site

Israel says hits Beirut, targeting Hezbollah drone factories

NUKEWARS
Skynet 6A military satellite advances with successful module integration

Skynet 6A reaches integration milestone as Airbus prepares next-gen military satellite

Enveil Secures DIU Contract to Advance Hybrid Space Architecture Data Capabilities

Retired four-star US admiral convicted on corruption charges

NUKEWARS
Meta and Anduril join forces on battlefield tech

Japan shows off futuristic 'railgun' at defence expo

Lithuania's parliament votes to withdraw from landmines treaty

Denmark to add 5,000 military positions

NUKEWARS
Danish PM warns NATO defence spending target 'too late'

US pressures NATO to seal deal on ramping up defence spending

Germany has three years to overhaul military: official

In changing times, young Germans gun for defence sector jobs

NUKEWARS
Zelensky arrives in Vilnius for Nato eastern flank summit

China responds after Hegseth warns to prepare for war

Germany's Merz says 'no doubt' US to stick with NATO

NATO wrestles over how to handle Ukraine at Trump summit

NUKEWARS
Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.