US and Iran Near Nuclear Deal as Ceasefire Extension Awaits Trump Approval 
Netanyahu Gaza Expansion Plan Sparks Hamas Condemnation and International Concern 
Trump Administration Threatens Newark Airport International Travel Shutdown Over Immigration Dispute 
Russia Prepares New Large-Scale Attack on Ukraine, Zelenskiy Warns 
US Condemns Russia’s Oreshnik Missile Strike, Warns Against New Attacks on Kyiv 
U.S.-China Taiwan Conflict Could Trigger Nuclear Escalation, IISS Warns 
Poland Considers Revoking Zelensky’s Top Honor Over Controversial UPA Army Unit Recognition 
US-Iran Ceasefire Extension Near as Strait of Hormuz Shipping Deal Advances 
US Southern Command Chief Holds Rare Military Meeting With Cuban Officials at Guantanamo Bay 
Brazil Struggles to Stop Illegal Amazon Gold Mining as Gold Prices Surge 
Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
Trump Nears Decision on Iran Ceasefire Extension as Key Disputes Remain 
DOJ Opens Criminal Investigation Into E. Jean Carroll Over Alleged Perjury 
Netanyahu Orders Expansion of Israeli Control in Gaza to 70% 
Judge Dismisses Trump Administration Lawsuit Against Boston Sanctuary City Policy 
US Tightens Ebola Controls as Congo Outbreak Sparks Global Concern 
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said for the 2015 nuclear deal to be restored, the UN’s nuclear watchdog must close its probe related to the nuclear particles found at Iranian facilities. Raisi’s comments come as Iran has maintained its demand that the UN nuclear watchdog closes its probe.
During a news conference in Tehran Monday, Raisi marked a year since he became Iran’s new president. Raisi said that the investigation by the International Atomic Energy Agency related to uranium particles in Iran’s nuclear facilities must be scrapped if the 2015 nuclear agreement is to be revived.
“Without resolving safeguards issues, talking about an agreement would be meaningless,” said Raisi, who reiterated that he would not meet with US President Joe Biden during his visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Raisi said such a meeting with his US counterpart would not benefit Iran’s interests.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has called on Iran to fully cooperate with the probe into the traces of uranium particles found years ago at several Iranian nuclear sites. Grossi said the only way to close the investigation was for Iran to cooperate.
Raisi’s comments echoed that of other Iranian officials, indicating that Tehran has maintained its demand regarding the investigation. However, Iran may be open to negotiating the matter on the final text of the deal.
The Iranian news outlet affiliated with the Supreme National Security Council, Nournews, reported Monday that Iran’s demand to “verify” the lifting of sanctions also extends to the safeguards issue.
Iran and other world powers are on the way to restoring the 2015 nuclear agreement, which the United States under Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from in 2018. Washington, at the time, imposed harsh sanctions on Iran
Nournews also reported over the weekend that Tehran is reviewing Washington’s response to the final text proposed by the European Union to restore the nuclear agreement. The review of the US response would take at least until the end of the week. The working week in Iran ends on Friday, so a response by Tehran may not come before September 2.
Iran responded to the EU-drafted proposal earlier this month, and the US responded Wednesday last week.
