US President Donald Trump has sought to include China in talks to replace New START, the flagship nuclear arms treaty between the United States and Russia, which expires in February.

US and Russian negotiators concluded a round of nuclear arms control talks in Vienna on Monday. The said pact is the last remaining, wide-ranging treaty restricting all nuclear weapons, not just strategic ones.

China should also be involved in the process, US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea said on Tuesday.

China, a nuclear power with an arsenal a fraction the size of those of the Cold War-era superpowers, has repeatedly declined.

Washington wants a trilateral deal including China because it says Beijing is secretly racing to increase its arsenal's size and reach, but Moscow favours a multilateral agreement possibly including France and Britain.

"What I would say is we have not made a decision one way or another," Billingslea told a news conference when asked if New START would be extended.

He was speaking a day after a first round of talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.

The two sides agreed to set up multiple technical working groups and a second round of talks will be held possibly in late July or early August, depending on the working groups' progress, Billingslea said. He did not specify what the working groups would deal with.

Russia, however, said China joining was unrealistic.

New START imposes limits on the number of US and Russian long-range nuclear warheads and launchers. The deal was made in 2010, but the limits didn't take effect until 2018.

It became the last nuclear arms pact between the two nations after the US Last year scrapped the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty with Russia.

The INF treaty was also criticised because it did not cover China or missile technology that did not exist a generation ago.

(with inputs from agencies)

US President Donald Trump has sought to include China in talks to replace New START, the flagship nuclear arms treaty between the United States and Russia, which expires in February.

US President Donald Trump has sought to include China in talks to replace New START, the flagship nuclear arms treaty between the United States and Russia, which expires in February. US and Russian negotiators concluded a round of nuclear arms control talks in Vienna on Monday. The said pact is the last remaining, wide-ranging treaty restricting all nuclear weapons, not just strategic ones. China should also be involved in the process, US Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea said on Tuesday. China, a nuclear power with an arsenal a fraction the size of those of the Cold War-era superpowers, has repeatedly declined. Washington wants a trilateral deal including China because it says Beijing is secretly racing to increase its arsenal's size and reach, but Moscow favours a multilateral agreement possibly including France and Britain. "What I would say is we have not made a decision one way or another," Billingslea told a news conference when asked if New START would be extended. He was speaking a day after a first round of talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. The two sides agreed to set up multiple technical working groups and a second round of talks will be held possibly in late July or early August, depending on the working groups' progress, Billingslea said. He did not specify what the working groups would deal with. Russia, however, said China joining was unrealistic. New START imposes limits on the number of US and Russian long-range nuclear warheads and launchers. The deal was made in 2010, but the limits didn't take effect until 2018. It became the last nuclear arms pact between the two nations after the US Last year scrapped the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty with Russia. The INF treaty was also criticised because it did not cover China or missile technology that did not exist a generation ago. (with inputs from agencies)

US negotiates nuclear arms treaty with Russia, wants China's inclusion in talks

Donald Trump's administration in the United States has discussed either to conduct a nuclear test explosion. if conducted this would be the country's first nuclear test explosion since the year 1990. Watch report.

Possible fallouts of nuclear tests by US: Experts warn against nuclear test

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has sounded an alarm after an archive of Iran's secret documents revealed the extent of the country's nuclear programme.

The secret documents which reveal the extent of Iran's past nuclear research have drawn immense scrutiny.

The documents say that Iran was even planning to build a tunnel for a nuclear explosion. Tehran has been accused of stockpiling enriched uranium which is used in nuclear missiles.

Meanwhile, US has said that the world nations must hold Iran responsible for breaching its nuclear commitments.

While the US pulled out of Iran nuclear deal in 2018, EU, Russia and China still remain signatories to the deal.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has sounded an alarm after an archive of Iran's secret documents revealed the extent of the country's nuclear programme.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has sounded an alarm after an archive of Iran's secret documents revealed the extent of the country's nuclear programme. The secret documents which reveal the extent of Iran's past nuclear research have drawn immense scrutiny. The documents say that Iran was even planning to build a tunnel for a nuclear explosion. Tehran has been accused of stockpiling enriched uranium which is used in nuclear missiles. Meanwhile, US has said that the world nations must hold Iran responsible for breaching its nuclear commitments. While the US pulled out of Iran nuclear deal in 2018, EU, Russia and China still remain signatories to the deal.

Secret documents reveal Iran hiding its nuclear activities, building a tunnel for a nuclear detonation

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../fatf-european-union-offers-technical-assistance- to-pakistan-262766">Pakistan</a> on Monday claimed that it has conducted a successful training launch of surface-to-surface ballistic missile Shaheen-1.

Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor, in a tweet, said that the missile is "capable of delivering all types of warheads upto a range of 650 kilometres".

Also&nbsp;Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-pakistan-test-fires-shaheen-1-nuclear-missile-263238">Gravitas: Pakistan Test-Fires Shaheen-1 Nuclear Missile</a>

"Pakistan successfully conducted the training launch of SSBM. Shaheen-1 capable of delivering all types of warheads upto a range of 650 KMs," the head of the military's media wing tweeted.

The launch was aimed at testing the operational readiness of Army Strategic Forces Command (ASFC) ensuring Pakistan's credible minimum deterrence, Ghafoor added.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-pakistan-tests-ballistic-missile-shaheen-1-262986">WION Dispatch: Pakistan Tests Ballistic Missile Shaheen-1</a>

The missile hit its target in the Arabian Sea. The two-stage missile can carry nuclear and conventional warheads and strike with a high degree of accuracy.

Pakistan has two other medium-range ballistic missiles, the Shaheen-II and the Ghauri. The Ghauri is currently operationally deployed.

Two other ballistic missiles, the Shaheen-III and the Ababeel, are currently under development by the National Development Complex.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-says-it-wants-peace-with-india-conducts-missile-test-221031">&nbsp;Pakistan says it wants peace with India, conducts missile test</a>

The missile launch came after India's state-funded <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../defence-ministry-clears-rs-3300-crore- acquisitions-including-anti-tank-missiles-257375">DRDO</a> successfully conducted the first night trial of its nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile Agni-II off the Odisha coast in the Bay of Bengal on Saturday.

Earlier this year, Pakistan had successfully held a night training test-launch of its surface-to-surface ballistic missile, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../after-failure-at-diplomatic-front-pakistan-test- fires-ghaznavi-missile-246365">Ghaznavi</a>.

Pakistan on Monday claimed that it has conducted a successful training launch of surface-to-surface ballistic missile Shaheen-1. Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor, in a tweet, said that the missile is "capable of delivering all types of warheads upto a range of 650 kilometres".

Pakistan on Monday claimed that it has conducted a successful training launch of surface-to-surface ballistic missile Shaheen-1. Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor, in a tweet, said that the missile is "capable of delivering all types of warheads upto a range of 650 kilometres". Also Read: Gravitas: Pakistan Test-Fires Shaheen-1 Nuclear Missile "Pakistan successfully conducted the training launch of SSBM. Shaheen-1 capable of delivering all types of warheads upto a range of 650 KMs," the head of the military's media wing tweeted. The launch was aimed at testing the operational readiness of Army Strategic Forces Command (ASFC) ensuring Pakistan's credible minimum deterrence, Ghafoor added. Also Read: WION Dispatch: Pakistan Tests Ballistic Missile Shaheen-1 The missile hit its target in the Arabian Sea. The two-stage missile can carry nuclear and conventional warheads and strike with a high degree of accuracy. Pakistan has two other medium-range ballistic missiles, the Shaheen-II and the Ghauri. The Ghauri is currently operationally deployed. Two other ballistic missiles, the Shaheen-III and the Ababeel, are currently under development by the National Development Complex. Also Read: Pakistan says it wants peace with India, conducts missile test The missile launch came after India's state-funded DRDO successfully conducted the first night trial of its nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile Agni-II off the Odisha coast in the Bay of Bengal on Saturday. Earlier this year, Pakistan had successfully held a night training test-launch of its surface-to-surface ballistic missile, Ghaznavi.

Pakistan launches surface-to-surface Ballistic missile Shaheen-1

Global spending on defence rose by four per cent in 2019, the largest growth in 10 years, led by big increases from the US and China, a study said Friday (Feb 14).

Beijing's military modernisation programme -&nbsp;which includes developing new hard-to-detect hypersonic missiles -&nbsp;is alarming Washington and helping drive US defence spending, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said.

The IISS's annual "Military Balance" report said the increase alone in US spending from 2018 to 2019 - US$53.4 billion - was almost as big as Britain's entire defence budget.

Both China and the US increased spending by 6.6 per cent, the report said, while Europe - driven by ongoing concerns about Russia - stepped up by 4.2 per cent.

But this growth only brought European defence spending back to levels seen in 2008, before the global financial crisis saw budgets slashed.

European NATO members have been seeking to increase spending to placate President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly accused them of freeloading on the US.

Trump has railed at European allies, particularly Germany, for not living up to a 2014 NATO pledge to spend two percent of GDP on defence.

The mercurial president's anger over spending has fuelled concern about his commitment to the transatlantic alliance, culminating in an explosive 2018 summit where he launched a blistering public attack on Germany in a televised meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Global spending on defence rose by four per cent in 2019, the largest growth in 10 years, led by big increases from the US and China, a study said Friday (Feb 14).

Global spending on defence rose by four per cent in 2019, the largest growth in 10 years, led by big increases from the US and China, a study said Friday (Feb 14). Beijing's military modernisation programme - which includes developing new hard-to-detect hypersonic missiles - is alarming Washington and helping drive US defence spending, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said. The IISS's annual "Military Balance" report said the increase alone in US spending from 2018 to 2019 - US$53.4 billion - was almost as big as Britain's entire defence budget. Both China and the US increased spending by 6.6 per cent, the report said, while Europe - driven by ongoing concerns about Russia - stepped up by 4.2 per cent. But this growth only brought European defence spending back to levels seen in 2008, before the global financial crisis saw budgets slashed. European NATO members have been seeking to increase spending to placate President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly accused them of freeloading on the US. Trump has railed at European allies, particularly Germany, for not living up to a 2014 NATO pledge to spend two percent of GDP on defence. The mercurial president's anger over spending has fuelled concern about his commitment to the transatlantic alliance, culminating in an explosive 2018 summit where he launched a blistering public attack on Germany in a televised meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Biggest jump in world defence spending in 10 years: Study

To counter Russia's growing arsenal of tactical nukes, the US military recently deployed a submarine equipped with a low-yield nuclear weapon.

Alarmists might see it as an escalation of already sky-high nuclear tensions in the world.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-navy-planning-to-build-six-nuclear-attack-submarines-navy-to-parliamentary-panel-270876">Indian Navy planning to build six nuclear attack submarines: Navy to Parliamentary panel</a>

"The US Navy has fielded the W76-2 low-yield submarine-launched ballistic missile warhead," John Rood, the Under Secretary of Defence for Policy, said in a statement.

A modification to the pre-existing W-76 warhead, the new weapon would be used to arm the submarine.

Launch mechanism and codes in the ''football'' for the President have been updated and now reflects this weapon, the CNN reported. 
 
The warheads are the latest addition to the US arsenal in weapons and were first produced in February of last year.

<h6><img alt="uuuuu" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="17236d1c-7a92-42f0-834c-5daca17074fb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_47.jpg" /> 
HMS Astute, one of British Royal Navy's new nuclear powered submarines, lays at dock in Gibraltar on its maiden call on March 20, 2014 | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

The weapon was earlier part of the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review. According to this, many believe that the US enemies could use a smaller nuclear weapon against the US, for the American weapons are way more destructive. 
 
"Expanding flexible US nuclear options now, to include low-yield options, is important for the preservation of credible deterrence against regional aggression. It will raise the nuclear threshold and help ensure that potential adversaries perceive no possible advantage in limited nuclear escalation, making nuclear employment less likely," the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review said.

According to the Review, the US is expected to modify existing warheads as part of a $50 million five-year-long programme.

"The United States regularly consults with allies on its nuclear weapons systems, and has provided updates on its development of low-yield tridents since the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review," a NATO official told CNN.

<h6><img alt="pppp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8431db57-5d39-4aea-99cf-608008fa2a3e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%284%29_29.jpg" /> 
This undated picture shows a nuclear-powered submarine of the People's Liberation Army Navy's North Sea Fleet preparing to dive into the sea | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

US authorities claimed that no adversary should think that the US is unable to respond to any kind of threats.&nbsp; 
He added that the new weapon "demonstrates to potential adversaries that there is no advantage to limited nuclear employment because the United States can credibly and decisively respond to any threat scenario."

Democratic House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith of Washington called the decision "misguided and dangerous".

"The deployment of this warhead does nothing to make Americans safer. Instead, this destabilizing deployment further increases the potential for miscalculation during a crisis," he told CNN.

According to reports, Russia has a large stockpile of nuclear weapons which are less powerful and destructive than the ones with the US but are capable of large-scale damage still.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-first-submarine-optical-cable-for-andaman-and-nicobar-islands-to-be-operational-by-june-273267">India’s first submarine optical cable for Andaman and Nicobar islands to be operational by June&nbsp;</a>

To counter Russia's growing arsenal of tactical nukes, the US military recently deployed a submarine equipped with a low-yield nuclear weapon. Alarmists might see it as an escalation of already sky-high nuclear tensions in the world.

To counter Russia's growing arsenal of tactical nukes, the US military recently deployed a submarine equipped with a low-yield nuclear weapon. Alarmists might see it as an escalation of already sky-high nuclear tensions in the world. Also read: Indian Navy planning to build six nuclear attack submarines: Navy to Parliamentary panel "The US Navy has fielded the W76-2 low-yield submarine-launched ballistic missile warhead," John Rood, the Under Secretary of Defence for Policy, said in a statement. A modification to the pre-existing W-76 warhead, the new weapon would be used to arm the submarine. Launch mechanism and codes in the ''football'' for the President have been updated and now reflects this weapon, the CNN reported. The warheads are the latest addition to the US arsenal in weapons and were first produced in February of last year. HMS Astute, one of British Royal Navy's new nuclear powered submarines, lays at dock in Gibraltar on its maiden call on March 20, 2014 | AFP The weapon was earlier part of the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review. According to this, many believe that the US enemies could use a smaller nuclear weapon against the US, for the American weapons are way more destructive. "Expanding flexible US nuclear options now, to include low-yield options, is important for the preservation of credible deterrence against regional aggression. It will raise the nuclear threshold and help ensure that potential adversaries perceive no possible advantage in limited nuclear escalation, making nuclear employment less likely," the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review said. According to the Review, the US is expected to modify existing warheads as part of a $50 million five-year-long programme. "The United States regularly consults with allies on its nuclear weapons systems, and has provided updates on its development of low-yield tridents since the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review," a NATO official told CNN. This undated picture shows a nuclear-powered submarine of the People's Liberation Army Navy's North Sea Fleet preparing to dive into the sea | AFP US authorities claimed that no adversary should think that the US is unable to respond to any kind of threats. He added that the new weapon "demonstrates to potential adversaries that there is no advantage to limited nuclear employment because the United States can credibly and decisively respond to any threat scenario." Democratic House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith of Washington called the decision "misguided and dangerous". "The deployment of this warhead does nothing to make Americans safer. Instead, this destabilizing deployment further increases the potential for miscalculation during a crisis," he told CNN. According to reports, Russia has a large stockpile of nuclear weapons which are less powerful and destructive than the ones with the US but are capable of large-scale damage still. Also read: India’s first submarine optical cable for Andaman and Nicobar islands to be operational by June

US deploys new type of nuclear weapon to counter Russian arsenal

North&nbsp;Korea's leader plans to further develop nuclear programmes and to introduce a "new&nbsp;strategic&nbsp;weapon" in the near future, state media said on Wednesday, but he left&nbsp;room&nbsp;for dialogue with the United States after it ignored a year-end deadline he had set for&nbsp;talks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-has-everything-to-lose-donald-trump-after-north-koreas-significant-test-267034">Kim&nbsp;Jong Un</a> presided over a four-day meeting of top Workers' Party officials this week amid rising tensions with the United States, which has not responded to his repeated calls for concessions to reopen negotiations. Washington has dismissed the deadline as artificial.

Kim&nbsp;said there were no grounds for&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;to be bound any longer by a self-declared moratorium on testing nuclear bombs and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), according to a statement on the results of the policy meeting carried by the official KCNA news agency.

Kim&nbsp;accused the United States of making "gangster-like demands" and maintaining a "hostile policy", including by holding continued joint military drills with South&nbsp;Korea, adopting cutting edge weapons and imposing sanctions.

He pledged to continue bolstering his country's nuclear deterrent but said the "scope and depth" of that deterrent will be "properly co-ordinated depending on" the attitude of the United States.

"The world will witness a new&nbsp;strategic&nbsp;weapon to be possessed by the DPRK in the near future,"&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;said, using the initials for&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea's official name the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-leaders-of-china-north-korea-watch-grand-performance-229137"> Democratic People's Republic of&nbsp;Korea</a>.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kim-jong-un-calls-for-offensive-measures-as-nuclear-deadline-looms-271049/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"We will reliably put on constant alert the powerful nuclear deterrent capable of containing the nuclear threats from the US&nbsp;and guaranteeing our long-term security."

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it would be "deeply disappointing" if&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;reneges on denuclearisation commitments and&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;would hopefully "choose peace and prosperity over conflict and war."

In his latest comments on Tuesday in the United States, President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-stocks-rattled-after-donald-trump-says-no-deadline-on-us-china-trade-deal-266025">Donald Trump</a> said he had a good relationship with&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;and thought the&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korean leader would keep his word.

There were no official reports as of noon on Wednesday in South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;that&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;had delivered an annual New Year's address.

Kim&nbsp;had previously said he might have to seek a "new path" if Washington failed to meet his expectations. US&nbsp;military commanders said Pyongyang's actions could include test-firing an ICBM alongside nuclear warhead tests.&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;last test-fired an ICBM in 2017.

Jeffrey Lewis, a non-proliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California, said it was difficult to predict&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea's next move. But it might involve firing a solid-fuel ICBM and an atmospheric nuclear test, he said.

Tension had been rising ahead of the year-end as&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;conducted a series of weapons tests and waged a war of words with US&nbsp;President Donald Trump.

The nuclear&nbsp;talks&nbsp;have made little headway though&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;and Trump have met three times since 2018. Working-level&nbsp;talks&nbsp;in Stockholm in October fell apart, with a&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korean chief negotiator accusing US&nbsp;officials of sticking to their old stance.

Kim&nbsp;said there will "never be denuclearisation on the&nbsp;Korean peninsula" if Washington adheres to what he calls its hostile policy.

We "will steadily develop necessary and prerequisite&nbsp;strategic&nbsp;weapons for the security of the state until the US&nbsp;rolls back its hostile policy towards the DPRK and lasting and durable peace-keeping mechanism is built,"&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;said.

He called for&nbsp;North&nbsp;Koreans to brace for an "arduous and prolonged struggle" and foster a self-reliant economy because of a delay in the anticipated lifting of sanctions.

"The present situation warning of long confrontation with the US&nbsp;urgently requires us to make it a fait accompli that we have to live under the sanctions by the hostile forces in the future, too, and to strengthen the internal power from all aspects."

Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of&nbsp;North&nbsp;Korean Studies in Seoul, said the party assembly results made clear&nbsp;Kim&nbsp;wants US&nbsp;security guarantees before taking substantial action towards denuclearisation.

"And he is suggesting that he will take the bull by the horns to achieve that goal, while promoting self reliance at home and still being open to&nbsp;talks&nbsp;depending on how Trump handles 'hostile policy,'" Yang said.

North Korea's leader plans to further develop nuclear programmes and to introduce a "new strategic weapon" in the near future, state media said on Wednesday, but he left room for dialogue with the United States after it ignored a year-end deadline he had set for talks.

North Korea's leader plans to further develop nuclear programmes and to introduce a "new strategic weapon" in the near future, state media said on Wednesday, but he left room for dialogue with the United States after it ignored a year-end deadline he had set for talks. Kim Jong Un presided over a four-day meeting of top Workers' Party officials this week amid rising tensions with the United States, which has not responded to his repeated calls for concessions to reopen negotiations. Washington has dismissed the deadline as artificial. Kim said there were no grounds for North Korea to be bound any longer by a self-declared moratorium on testing nuclear bombs and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), according to a statement on the results of the policy meeting carried by the official KCNA news agency. Kim accused the United States of making "gangster-like demands" and maintaining a "hostile policy", including by holding continued joint military drills with South Korea, adopting cutting edge weapons and imposing sanctions. He pledged to continue bolstering his country's nuclear deterrent but said the "scope and depth" of that deterrent will be "properly co-ordinated depending on" the attitude of the United States. "The world will witness a new strategic weapon to be possessed by the DPRK in the near future," Kim said, using the initials for North Korea's official name the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "We will reliably put on constant alert the powerful nuclear deterrent capable of containing the nuclear threats from the US and guaranteeing our long-term security." US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it would be "deeply disappointing" if Kim reneges on denuclearisation commitments and Kim would hopefully "choose peace and prosperity over conflict and war." In his latest comments on Tuesday in the United States, President Donald Trump said he had a good relationship with Kim and thought the North Korean leader would keep his word. There were no official reports as of noon on Wednesday in South Korea that Kim had delivered an annual New Year's address. Kim had previously said he might have to seek a "new path" if Washington failed to meet his expectations. US military commanders said Pyongyang's actions could include test-firing an ICBM alongside nuclear warhead tests. North Korea last test-fired an ICBM in 2017. Jeffrey Lewis, a non-proliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California, said it was difficult to predict North Korea's next move. But it might involve firing a solid-fuel ICBM and an atmospheric nuclear test, he said. Tension had been rising ahead of the year-end as North Korea conducted a series of weapons tests and waged a war of words with US President Donald Trump. The nuclear talks have made little headway though Kim and Trump have met three times since 2018. Working-level talks in Stockholm in October fell apart, with a North Korean chief negotiator accusing US officials of sticking to their old stance. Kim said there will "never be denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula" if Washington adheres to what he calls its hostile policy. We "will steadily develop necessary and prerequisite strategic weapons for the security of the state until the US rolls back its hostile policy towards the DPRK and lasting and durable peace-keeping mechanism is built," Kim said. He called for North Koreans to brace for an "arduous and prolonged struggle" and foster a self-reliant economy because of a delay in the anticipated lifting of sanctions. "The present situation warning of long confrontation with the US urgently requires us to make it a fait accompli that we have to live under the sanctions by the hostile forces in the future, too, and to strengthen the internal power from all aspects." Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said the party assembly results made clear Kim wants US security guarantees before taking substantial action towards denuclearisation. "And he is suggesting that he will take the bull by the horns to achieve that goal, while promoting self reliance at home and still being open to talks depending on how Trump handles 'hostile policy,'" Yang said.

North Korea threatens to resume nuclear testing, introduce 'new strategic weapon'

The Indian Navy is planning to build a fleet of 18 conventional and six nuclear attack submarines as part of its plans for its underwater fleet.

"Eighteen (Conventional) plus six SSN (nuclear-powered attack) submarines are planned but the existing strength is 15 and 1 SSN is available on lease," the Standing Committee on Defence said in its report tabled in the winter session of Parliament.

The Indian Navy had planned to build six nuclear attack submarines along with the Arihant Class SSBNs which are nuclear-powered submarines equipped with nuclear missiles.

The nuclear attack submarines are also planned to be built indigenously in partnership with private sector industries.

At present, the Navy is operating Russian-origin Kilo Class, German-origin HDW class and the latest French Scorpene-class submarines in the conventional domain while in the nuclear section, it has leased one INS Chakra (Akula class) from Russia.

The Navy also informed the committee that in the last 15 years, only two new conventional submarines have been inducted including the Scorpene-class vessels INS Kalvari and the INS Khanderi.

"It was further informed that the existing 13 conventional submarines are between 17 to 31 years old," the standing committee report said.

The Navy is also working on a plan to build six new submarines under its Project 75 India in which six more conventional submarines would be built by the Navy in partnership with Indian companies and foreign origin equipment manufacturers.

The project would be undertaken under the strategic partnership policy.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Indian Navy is planning to build a fleet of 18 conventional and six nuclear attack submarines as part of its plans for its underwater fleet. "Eighteen (Conventional) plus six SSN (nuclear-powered attack) submarines are planned but the existing strength is 15 and 1 SSN is available on lease," the Standing Committee on Defence said in its report tabled in the winter session of Parliament.

The Indian Navy is planning to build a fleet of 18 conventional and six nuclear attack submarines as part of its plans for its underwater fleet. "Eighteen (Conventional) plus six SSN (nuclear-powered attack) submarines are planned but the existing strength is 15 and 1 SSN is available on lease," the Standing Committee on Defence said in its report tabled in the winter session of Parliament. The Indian Navy had planned to build six nuclear attack submarines along with the Arihant Class SSBNs which are nuclear-powered submarines equipped with nuclear missiles. The nuclear attack submarines are also planned to be built indigenously in partnership with private sector industries. At present, the Navy is operating Russian-origin Kilo Class, German-origin HDW class and the latest French Scorpene-class submarines in the conventional domain while in the nuclear section, it has leased one INS Chakra (Akula class) from Russia. The Navy also informed the committee that in the last 15 years, only two new conventional submarines have been inducted including the Scorpene-class vessels INS Kalvari and the INS Khanderi. "It was further informed that the existing 13 conventional submarines are between 17 to 31 years old," the standing committee report said. The Navy is also working on a plan to build six new submarines under its Project 75 India in which six more conventional submarines would be built by the Navy in partnership with Indian companies and foreign origin equipment manufacturers. The project would be undertaken under the strategic partnership policy.

Indian Navy planning to build six nuclear attack submarines: Navy to Parliamentary panel

Argentine diplomat Rafael Grossi will be confirmed as the new director-general of the UN's nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday, with the growing crisis over Iran's nuclear programme at the top of his in-tray.

Who is Rafael Grossi?&nbsp;

The veteran diplomat, who has been serving as Argentina's ambassador to the IAEA, will be the agency's first leader from Latin America.

Grossi previously held high-level posts at the agency between 2010 and 2013, bringing him into contact with Iranian officials at a time when international negotiations over Iran's nuclear activities were intensifying.

According to the former French ambassador to Iran Francois Nicoullaud, he will able to draw on "solid experience in proliferation matters".

"He is someone of a very high calibre who comes from an important country in the nuclear field," says Nicoullaud.

A current Vienna-based diplomat said Grossi was expected to bring "a lot of energy and innovation" to the post, with a particular focus on pushing gender parity within the agency and promoting the role of nuclear energy in fighting climate change.

Grossi will be taking over from Yukiya Amano, who died in July at the age of 72 having been in post since 2009.

While the US is thought to have lobbied in his favour, diplomats say Grossi has stressed his belief in the importance of the agency's impartiality.

Iran crisis looms

Grossi begins his tenure amid a growing crisis over Iran's nuclear programme.

The IAEA is charged with monitoring the implementation of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which seems in danger of imminent collapse.

Diplomats from Iran and other remaining parties to the deal,&nbsp;the UK, France, Germany, China and Russia,&nbsp;will gather in Vienna on Friday to discuss ways forward for the crumbling deal.

Since May, Iran has taken a series of measures breaking limits on its nuclear activities laid down in the deal, including on the amount and the enrichment level of its uranium stockpile.

Iran insists it has the right to do this in retaliation for the US's withdrawal from the deal in 2018 and subsequent re-imposition of sanctions, which have placed a huge strain on the Iranian economy.

Iran has said another step away from the deal is likely in early January, with some speculation that it could announce that is increasing its uranium enrichment level yet further.

Ali Vaez from the International Crisis Group says the point of collapse could be in a matter of weeks.

"The Iranians are simply running out of measures that are easy to reverse and non-controversial," he says.

Vaez adds that a fresh Iranian move to breach the deal could finally push the European signatories to trigger the so-called "dispute resolution mechanism" foreseen in the 2015 accord,&nbsp;and that in turn would lead to the automatic resumption of UN sanctions on Iran.

The return of those sanctions would mark the "death blow" of the agreement, according to Kelsey Davenport of the Arms Control Association.

In such a scenario, says Vaez, "we will have a major non-proliferation crisis on our hands in the sense that the Russians and the Chinese have already declared they would not recognise the return of (sanctions)".

Some expect that in this scenario Iran would leave the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

Undeclared site

There have been other points of friction between Iran and the IAEA in recent months.

The agency has been asking Iran to provide explanations for the presence of uranium particles at an undeclared site it took samples from in the spring.

While the IAEA has not named the site in question, diplomatic sources have previously said the agency asked Iran about a site in the Turquzabad district of Tehran, where Israel has alleged secret atomic activity in the past.

Added to this is an incident in October in which an IAEA inspector was briefly prevented from leaving Iran after triggering a security alarm.

She was allowed to return to Vienna but the IAEA has condemned her treatment as "not acceptable". One Vienna-based diplomat said that Tehran had received little support in the matter, "even from countries that normally do sympathise with Iran."

Argentine diplomat Rafael Grossi will be confirmed as the new director-general of the UN's nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday, with the growing crisis over Iran's nuclear programme at the top of his in-tray.

Argentine diplomat Rafael Grossi will be confirmed as the new director-general of the UN's nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday, with the growing crisis over Iran's nuclear programme at the top of his in-tray. Who is Rafael Grossi? The veteran diplomat, who has been serving as Argentina's ambassador to the IAEA, will be the agency's first leader from Latin America. Grossi previously held high-level posts at the agency between 2010 and 2013, bringing him into contact with Iranian officials at a time when international negotiations over Iran's nuclear activities were intensifying. According to the former French ambassador to Iran Francois Nicoullaud, he will able to draw on "solid experience in proliferation matters". "He is someone of a very high calibre who comes from an important country in the nuclear field," says Nicoullaud. A current Vienna-based diplomat said Grossi was expected to bring "a lot of energy and innovation" to the post, with a particular focus on pushing gender parity within the agency and promoting the role of nuclear energy in fighting climate change. Grossi will be taking over from Yukiya Amano, who died in July at the age of 72 having been in post since 2009. While the US is thought to have lobbied in his favour, diplomats say Grossi has stressed his belief in the importance of the agency's impartiality. Iran crisis looms Grossi begins his tenure amid a growing crisis over Iran's nuclear programme. The IAEA is charged with monitoring the implementation of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which seems in danger of imminent collapse. Diplomats from Iran and other remaining parties to the deal, the UK, France, Germany, China and Russia, will gather in Vienna on Friday to discuss ways forward for the crumbling deal. Since May, Iran has taken a series of measures breaking limits on its nuclear activities laid down in the deal, including on the amount and the enrichment level of its uranium stockpile. Iran insists it has the right to do this in retaliation for the US's withdrawal from the deal in 2018 and subsequent re-imposition of sanctions, which have placed a huge strain on the Iranian economy. Iran has said another step away from the deal is likely in early January, with some speculation that it could announce that is increasing its uranium enrichment level yet further. Ali Vaez from the International Crisis Group says the point of collapse could be in a matter of weeks. "The Iranians are simply running out of measures that are easy to reverse and non-controversial," he says. Vaez adds that a fresh Iranian move to breach the deal could finally push the European signatories to trigger the so-called "dispute resolution mechanism" foreseen in the 2015 accord, and that in turn would lead to the automatic resumption of UN sanctions on Iran. The return of those sanctions would mark the "death blow" of the agreement, according to Kelsey Davenport of the Arms Control Association. In such a scenario, says Vaez, "we will have a major non-proliferation crisis on our hands in the sense that the Russians and the Chinese have already declared they would not recognise the return of (sanctions)". Some expect that in this scenario Iran would leave the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Undeclared site There have been other points of friction between Iran and the IAEA in recent months. The agency has been asking Iran to provide explanations for the presence of uranium particles at an undeclared site it took samples from in the spring. While the IAEA has not named the site in question, diplomatic sources have previously said the agency asked Iran about a site in the Turquzabad district of Tehran, where Israel has alleged secret atomic activity in the past. Added to this is an incident in October in which an IAEA inspector was briefly prevented from leaving Iran after triggering a security alarm. She was allowed to return to Vienna but the IAEA has condemned her treatment as "not acceptable". One Vienna-based diplomat said that Tehran had received little support in the matter, "even from countries that normally do sympathise with Iran."

Rafael Grossi to become new director-general of UN's nuclear watchdog IAEA amid Iran tensions

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-voices-concern-over-future-energy-as-he-comforts-victims-of-fukushima-disaster-264290">Pope&nbsp;Francis</a>&nbsp;departed from&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;on Tuesday&nbsp;after&nbsp;a four-day visit highlighted by pleas to world leaders to abandon&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;weapons that were given extra weight because they were delivered from the only two cities to have suffered atomic bombings.

Francis&nbsp;also met with survivors of the 2011 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-court-acquits-energy-bosses-over-fukushima-disaster-250636">Fukushima&nbsp;nuclear&nbsp;accident</a>, comforting one teenager who had to flee his home due to high radiation, and said two Masses packed with faithful who lined up before dawn for the chance to take part.

It was the first visit to&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;by a&nbsp;pope&nbsp;in 38 years and only the second in history,&nbsp;after<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/from-brigitte-bardot-to-princess-diana-iconic-paris-match-photos-to-get-auctioned-263777">&nbsp;John Paul II</a>.

Pope Francis departed from Japan on Tuesday after a four-day visit highlighted by pleas to world leaders to abandon nuclear weapons that were given extra weight because they were delivered from the only two cities to have suffered atomic bombings.

Pope Francis departed from Japan on Tuesday after a four-day visit highlighted by pleas to world leaders to abandon nuclear weapons that were given extra weight because they were delivered from the only two cities to have suffered atomic bombings. Francis also met with survivors of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, comforting one teenager who had to flee his home due to high radiation, and said two Masses packed with faithful who lined up before dawn for the chance to take part. It was the first visit to Japan by a pope in 38 years and only the second in history, after John Paul II.

Pope Francis leaves Japan after trip centred around anti-nuclear message

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-starts-injecting-uranium-gas-into-centrifuges-at-fordow-state-media-260336">Iran resumed uranium enrichment</a> at its underground Fordow plant south of Tehran on Thursday in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-accuses-iran-of-nuclear-extortion-with-enrichment-step-260207">new step back from its commitments</a> under a landmark 2015 nuclear deal.

Engineers began feeding uranium hexafluoride gas into the plant's mothballed enrichment centrifuges in "the first minutes of Thursday", the statement said.

The suspension of uranium enrichment at the long secret plant was one of the restrictions Iran had agreed to on its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of UN sanctions.

Iran's announcement on Wednesday that it would resume enrichment at the Fordow plant from midnight (2030 GMT) had drawn a chorus of concern from the remaining parties to the troubled agreement.

Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia have been trying to salvage the hard-won deal since Washington abandoned it in May last year and reimposed crippling unilateral sanctions.

They say Iran's phased suspension of its obligations under the deal since May makes that more difficult.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-escalates-the-nuclear-threat-260497/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The resumption of enrichment at Fordow is Iran's fourth move away from the deal.

Uranium enrichment is the sensitive process that produces fuel for nuclear power plants but also, in highly extended form, the fissile core for a warhead.

Iran has always denied any military dimension to its nuclear programme.

It has been at pains to emphasise that all of the steps it has taken are transparent and swiftly reversible if the remaining parties to the agreement find a way to get round US sanctions.

"All these activities have been carried out under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency," the Iranian nuclear organisation said.

A source close to the UN watchdog told AFP that it has inspectors on the ground in Fordow and would report "very rapidly" on the steps taken by Iran.

Iran's latest move comes after the passing of a deadline it set for the remaining parties to the nuclear agreement to come up with a mechanism that would allow foreign firms to continue doing business with Iran without incurring US penalties.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed concern about Tehran's announcements but said European powers should do their part.

"They are demanding that Iran fulfil all (obligations) without exception but are not giving anything in return," he told reporters in Moscow.

The Kremlin has previously called sanctions against Iran "unprecedented and illegal".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-concerned-by-iran-nuclear-enrichment-announcement-260166">European concern</a>

French President Emmanuel Macron said Iran had made "grave" decisions and its resumption of uranium enrichment was a "profound change" from Tehran's previous position.

"I will have discussions in the coming days, including with the Iranians, and we must collectively draw the consequences," Macron said during a trip to Beijing.

The next few weeks will be dedicated to increasing pressure on Iran to return within the framework of the pact, the French president said, adding that this must be "accompanied by an easing of some sanctions".

"A return to normal can only take place if the United States and Iran agree to reopen a sort of trust agenda" and dialogue, Macron said, adding that he would discuss the issue with Trump.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Britain remained committed to a negotiated way forward but demanded that Iran abide by its obligations.

"We want to find a way forward through constructive international dialogue but Iran needs to stand by the commitments it made and urgently return to full compliance," he said.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Iran must roll back its decision to resume uranium enrichment, calling Tehran's action "unacceptable".

"We call on Iran to reverse all steps taken since July and return to full compliance with its commitments," Maas told reporters in Berlin.

"Our aim is to maintain the nuclear agreement," he said. "We have always fully implemented our commitments and Iran must now urgently relent in order to ease tensions." 
&nbsp;

Iran resumed uranium enrichment at its underground Fordow plant south of Tehran on Thursday in a new step back from its commitments under a landmark 2015 nuclear deal.

Iran resumed uranium enrichment at its underground Fordow plant south of Tehran on Thursday in a new step back from its commitments under a landmark 2015 nuclear deal. Engineers began feeding uranium hexafluoride gas into the plant's mothballed enrichment centrifuges in "the first minutes of Thursday", the statement said. The suspension of uranium enrichment at the long secret plant was one of the restrictions Iran had agreed to on its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of UN sanctions. Iran's announcement on Wednesday that it would resume enrichment at the Fordow plant from midnight (2030 GMT) had drawn a chorus of concern from the remaining parties to the troubled agreement. Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia have been trying to salvage the hard-won deal since Washington abandoned it in May last year and reimposed crippling unilateral sanctions. They say Iran's phased suspension of its obligations under the deal since May makes that more difficult. × The resumption of enrichment at Fordow is Iran's fourth move away from the deal. Uranium enrichment is the sensitive process that produces fuel for nuclear power plants but also, in highly extended form, the fissile core for a warhead. Iran has always denied any military dimension to its nuclear programme. It has been at pains to emphasise that all of the steps it has taken are transparent and swiftly reversible if the remaining parties to the agreement find a way to get round US sanctions. "All these activities have been carried out under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency," the Iranian nuclear organisation said. A source close to the UN watchdog told AFP that it has inspectors on the ground in Fordow and would report "very rapidly" on the steps taken by Iran. Iran's latest move comes after the passing of a deadline it set for the remaining parties to the nuclear agreement to come up with a mechanism that would allow foreign firms to continue doing business with Iran without incurring US penalties. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed concern about Tehran's announcements but said European powers should do their part. "They are demanding that Iran fulfil all (obligations) without exception but are not giving anything in return," he told reporters in Moscow. The Kremlin has previously called sanctions against Iran "unprecedented and illegal". European concern French President Emmanuel Macron said Iran had made "grave" decisions and its resumption of uranium enrichment was a "profound change" from Tehran's previous position. "I will have discussions in the coming days, including with the Iranians, and we must collectively draw the consequences," Macron said during a trip to Beijing. The next few weeks will be dedicated to increasing pressure on Iran to return within the framework of the pact, the French president said, adding that this must be "accompanied by an easing of some sanctions". "A return to normal can only take place if the United States and Iran agree to reopen a sort of trust agenda" and dialogue, Macron said, adding that he would discuss the issue with Trump. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Britain remained committed to a negotiated way forward but demanded that Iran abide by its obligations. "We want to find a way forward through constructive international dialogue but Iran needs to stand by the commitments it made and urgently return to full compliance," he said. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Iran must roll back its decision to resume uranium enrichment, calling Tehran's action "unacceptable". "We call on Iran to reverse all steps taken since July and return to full compliance with its commitments," Maas told reporters in Berlin. "Our aim is to maintain the nuclear agreement," he said. "We have always fully implemented our commitments and Iran must now urgently relent in order to ease tensions."

Iran resumes uranium enrichment at Fordow plant in new stepback from deal

The United States accused Iran on Tuesday of "nuclear extortion" and vowed no let-up in pressure after the clerical regime said it would <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-concerned-by-iran-nuclear-enrichment-announcement-260166">resume uranium enrichment</a> at the key Fordow plant.

"Iran has no credible reason to expand its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-decision-to-enrich-uranium-goes-against-vienna-agreement-france-260161">uranium enrichment program</a>, at the Fordow facility or elsewhere, other than a clear attempt at nuclear extortion that will only deepen its political and economic isolation," a State Department spokesperson said.

"We will continue to impose maximum pressure on the regime until it abandons its destabilizing behavior, including proliferation-sensitive work."

President Hassan Rouhani said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-to-resume-enrichment-at-underground-plant-hassan-rouhani-260070">Iran would resume enrichment</a> at the plant near the Shiite holy city of Qom that was suspended under a 2015 nuclear accord with the United States and five other powers.

It was the latest action by Iran to seek tangible benefits from the deal, from which the United States withdrew as President Donald Trump imposed sweeping sanctions aimed at reducing Tehran's regional role.

The State Department said it would await verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog which stepped up inspection under the 2015 accord.

The United States accused Iran on Tuesday of "nuclear extortion" and vowed no let-up in pressure after the clerical regime said it would resume uranium enrichment at the key Fordow plant.

The United States accused Iran on Tuesday of "nuclear extortion" and vowed no let-up in pressure after the clerical regime said it would resume uranium enrichment at the key Fordow plant. "Iran has no credible reason to expand its uranium enrichment program, at the Fordow facility or elsewhere, other than a clear attempt at nuclear extortion that will only deepen its political and economic isolation," a State Department spokesperson said. "We will continue to impose maximum pressure on the regime until it abandons its destabilizing behavior, including proliferation-sensitive work." President Hassan Rouhani said Iran would resume enrichment at the plant near the Shiite holy city of Qom that was suspended under a 2015 nuclear accord with the United States and five other powers. It was the latest action by Iran to seek tangible benefits from the deal, from which the United States withdrew as President Donald Trump imposed sweeping sanctions aimed at reducing Tehran's regional role. The State Department said it would await verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog which stepped up inspection under the 2015 accord.

US accuses Iran of 'nuclear extortion' with enrichment step

The European Union voiced concern Tuesday at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-to-resume-enrichment-at-underground-plant-hassan-rouhani-260070">Iran's announcement</a> that it would resume uranium enrichment at an underground plant, warning it is getting harder to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal.

An EU spokeswoman said it was becoming "increasingly difficult" to save the accord, which was abandoned by the US in May last year and which Iran has undercut with a series of recent moves to step up its nuclear activities.

After the US ditched the deal, it reimposed crippling sanctions, prompting Iran to begin suspending its own commitments.

President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday that Iran would restart enrichment at the Fordow plant south of Tehran.

"We are concerned by President Rouhani's announcement today to further reduce Iran's commitments under the JCPOA," EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters, using an abbreviation for the deal's official title, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

"We urge Iran to reverse all activities that are inconsistent with its commitments under the JCPOA and to refrain from any further measures that would undermine the preservation and full implementation of the nuclear deal."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-decision-to-enrich-uranium-goes-against-vienna-agreement-france-260161">The three European parties to the accord</a>,&nbsp;France, Britain and Germany,&nbsp;along with the EU diplomatic service have tried to keep Iran in the deal despite the US sanctions.

But, to Tehran's mounting frustration, European efforts to create a way for foreign firms to keep trading with Iran have so far failed to have any significant impact.

Kocijancic said the EU remained committed to the deal but warned this depended on "full compliance" from Iran.

"High Representative Federica Mogherini said herself recently it is becoming increasingly difficult to preserve the JCPOA," Kocijancic warned.

Iranian pressure

EU foreign ministers will discuss the nuclear crisis along with the broader tensions in the Gulf at a regular meeting in Brussels on Monday, though no decision or formal statement on the matter is expected.

A key factor for EU countries is the assessment of Iran's latest actions by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which oversees Tehran's nuclear activities.

Rouhani's statement did not make it clear exactly what process would resume at Fordow on Wednesday, and the bloc will look to the IAEA for clarification.

Iran has sought to ratchet up the pressure on the European parties to the deal to do more to help its economy, which is struggling with the US sanctions, and officials in Brussels see this week's announcements as part of this pattern.

"They haven't really changed their approach. They are provocative but the measures they have taken up to now are reversible," one EU official said.

"But the longer they push it, this reversibility is going to disappear," &nbsp;the official warned.

The JCPOA, agreed in 2015 between Iran, the three European powers, Russia, China and the US, includes a mechanism for dealing with breaches, but so far this has not been used.

The European Union voiced concern Tuesday at Iran's announcement that it would resume uranium enrichment at an underground plant, warning it is getting harder to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal.

The European Union voiced concern Tuesday at Iran's announcement that it would resume uranium enrichment at an underground plant, warning it is getting harder to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal. An EU spokeswoman said it was becoming "increasingly difficult" to save the accord, which was abandoned by the US in May last year and which Iran has undercut with a series of recent moves to step up its nuclear activities. After the US ditched the deal, it reimposed crippling sanctions, prompting Iran to begin suspending its own commitments. President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday that Iran would restart enrichment at the Fordow plant south of Tehran. "We are concerned by President Rouhani's announcement today to further reduce Iran's commitments under the JCPOA," EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters, using an abbreviation for the deal's official title, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. "We urge Iran to reverse all activities that are inconsistent with its commitments under the JCPOA and to refrain from any further measures that would undermine the preservation and full implementation of the nuclear deal." The three European parties to the accord, France, Britain and Germany, along with the EU diplomatic service have tried to keep Iran in the deal despite the US sanctions. But, to Tehran's mounting frustration, European efforts to create a way for foreign firms to keep trading with Iran have so far failed to have any significant impact. Kocijancic said the EU remained committed to the deal but warned this depended on "full compliance" from Iran. "High Representative Federica Mogherini said herself recently it is becoming increasingly difficult to preserve the JCPOA," Kocijancic warned. Iranian pressure EU foreign ministers will discuss the nuclear crisis along with the broader tensions in the Gulf at a regular meeting in Brussels on Monday, though no decision or formal statement on the matter is expected. A key factor for EU countries is the assessment of Iran's latest actions by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which oversees Tehran's nuclear activities. Rouhani's statement did not make it clear exactly what process would resume at Fordow on Wednesday, and the bloc will look to the IAEA for clarification. Iran has sought to ratchet up the pressure on the European parties to the deal to do more to help its economy, which is struggling with the US sanctions, and officials in Brussels see this week's announcements as part of this pattern. "They haven't really changed their approach. They are provocative but the measures they have taken up to now are reversible," one EU official said. "But the longer they push it, this reversibility is going to disappear," the official warned. The JCPOA, agreed in 2015 between Iran, the three European powers, Russia, China and the US, includes a mechanism for dealing with breaches, but so far this has not been used.

European Union 'concerned' by Iran nuclear enrichment announcement

Iran's announcement that it has developed advanced machines to speed up uranium enrichment jeopardises a 2015 accord with world powers, Germany's foreign minister said on Monday, urging Tehran to return to the pact.

Iran has been gradually shedding commitments under the deal since the United States withdrew from it last year and reimposed sanctions on Tehran, blocking its oil exports to try to force it into negotiating stricter limits on its nuclear programme.

Under the agreement between Iran and world powers, Tehran is only allowed to enrich uranium with just over 5,000 of its first-generation IR-1 centrifuges, widely seen as antiquated. The new IR-6 machines can refine uranium 10 times faster.

"Iran has built very advanced centrifuges, which do not comply with the agreement," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told a news conference in response to a question.

"They have announced in early September that they would not comply with the nuclear accord and we think this is unacceptable," he said alongside Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto.

Iranian nuclear agency chief Ali Akbar Salehi told state television earlier on Monday that Tehran was now operating 60 IR-6 advanced centrifuges and its scientists were developing an IR-9 able to enrich 50 times faster than IR-1s.

The nuclear deal, under which international sanctions against Iran were lifted, was tailored to extending the time Iran would need to obtain enough fissile material for a nuclear bomb, if it sought one - something sometimes referred to as “breakout time” - to about a year from 2-3 months. Tehran denies ever having sought to build a nuclear bomb.

At the news conference, Maas also addressed tensions with NATO ally Turkey over its incursion into Syria on Oct. 9 to attack the Kurdish YPG militia after President Donald Trump's abrupt withdrawal of US&nbsp;forces there.

Maas said Turkey was an important NATO member but Berlin expected it to act as a NATO partner. He said Germany would uphold its ban on the export of arms to Turkey that could be used in Syria.

He also said the European Union should speak with a common voice on issues related to the United States, China or Turkey, whose President, Tayyip Erdogan, is due to visit Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday.

"I consider this very important and we would like to strengthen dialogue with Hungary and we are working on that," Maas said. "It is very important for Germany to continue the dialogue with our Central European partners and make it clear that there is one EU and one Europe."

Szijjarto said however that Hungary would continue defence cooperation with Turkey. "Turkey commands the second-largest military within NATO. Turkey is our NATO ally and it is natural that we cooperate in the field of military industry and we will continue to do so in the future."

Iran's announcement that it has developed advanced machines to speed up uranium enrichment jeopardises a 2015 accord with world powers, Germany's foreign minister said on Monday, urging Tehran to return to the pact.

Iran's announcement that it has developed advanced machines to speed up uranium enrichment jeopardises a 2015 accord with world powers, Germany's foreign minister said on Monday, urging Tehran to return to the pact. Iran has been gradually shedding commitments under the deal since the United States withdrew from it last year and reimposed sanctions on Tehran, blocking its oil exports to try to force it into negotiating stricter limits on its nuclear programme. Under the agreement between Iran and world powers, Tehran is only allowed to enrich uranium with just over 5,000 of its first-generation IR-1 centrifuges, widely seen as antiquated. The new IR-6 machines can refine uranium 10 times faster. "Iran has built very advanced centrifuges, which do not comply with the agreement," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told a news conference in response to a question. "They have announced in early September that they would not comply with the nuclear accord and we think this is unacceptable," he said alongside Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto. Iranian nuclear agency chief Ali Akbar Salehi told state television earlier on Monday that Tehran was now operating 60 IR-6 advanced centrifuges and its scientists were developing an IR-9 able to enrich 50 times faster than IR-1s. The nuclear deal, under which international sanctions against Iran were lifted, was tailored to extending the time Iran would need to obtain enough fissile material for a nuclear bomb, if it sought one - something sometimes referred to as “breakout time” - to about a year from 2-3 months. Tehran denies ever having sought to build a nuclear bomb. At the news conference, Maas also addressed tensions with NATO ally Turkey over its incursion into Syria on Oct. 9 to attack the Kurdish YPG militia after President Donald Trump's abrupt withdrawal of US forces there. Maas said Turkey was an important NATO member but Berlin expected it to act as a NATO partner. He said Germany would uphold its ban on the export of arms to Turkey that could be used in Syria. He also said the European Union should speak with a common voice on issues related to the United States, China or Turkey, whose President, Tayyip Erdogan, is due to visit Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday. "I consider this very important and we would like to strengthen dialogue with Hungary and we are working on that," Maas said. "It is very important for Germany to continue the dialogue with our Central European partners and make it clear that there is one EU and one Europe." Szijjarto said however that Hungary would continue defence cooperation with Turkey. "Turkey commands the second-largest military within NATO. Turkey is our NATO ally and it is natural that we cooperate in the field of military industry and we will continue to do so in the future."

Germany decries Iran's move to speed up nuclear work, urges return to accord

Russia's Bulava: Most dangerous nuclear powered submarine-launched ICBM

The U.N's nuclear watchdog said Friday Iran had taken "a step in the right direction" towards dealing with questions on its nuclear programme but cautioned that the issues have not been "completely addressed".

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) did not detail what the questions related to but said it was "discussing substance" with the Iranians.

There has been "engagement" from Tehran in recent weeks on questions relating to its nuclear safeguards declarations to the agency, IAEA acting head Cornel Feruta told journalists in Vienna.

"(That) engagement doesn't mean that the issues are completely addressed but it's a step in the right direction," he added.

Feruta said the queries did not touch directly on the faltering 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers but rather on Iran's separate safeguards agreement with the agency.

Diplomatic sources in Vienna say the agency has been waiting for information from the Iranians relating to samples taken earlier this year from a warehouse near the capital Tehran.

In 2018, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran of using the site for undeclared nuclear activity.

At the beginning of September, Feruta had meetings with high-level officials in Tehran and subsequently urged Iran to "respond promptly" to the IAEA's questions, adding: "Time is of the essence."

On Friday, he said the IAEA had "been having a very active dialogue with Iran at both technical and higher levels in the past few weeks."

Feruta met Iran's atomic energy agency chief Ali Akbar Salehi during the IAEA's General Conference in Vienna in late September, followed by meetings with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his deputy Abbas Araghchi during the UN General Assembly in New York.

"I think the message we sent out in September and also during my visit to Tehran was understood by the Iranian officials and as a result, we have this engagement on these particular issues," Feruta said.

The latest developments come a week after the IAEA reported that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-uses-advanced-centrifuges-in-new-nuclear-deal-breach-iaea-252257">Iran had started using advanced models of centrifuges</a> to enrich uranium, a fresh breach of the 2015 deal.

Iran has been progressively abandoning commitments under the deal in response to the US withdrawal from the pact and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-demands-united-states-pay-more-for-a-wider-deal-252151">re-imposition of sanctions.</a>

The U.N's nuclear watchdog said Friday Iran had taken "a step in the right direction" towards dealing with questions on its nuclear programme but cautioned that the issues have not been "completely addressed".

The U.N's nuclear watchdog said Friday Iran had taken "a step in the right direction" towards dealing with questions on its nuclear programme but cautioned that the issues have not been "completely addressed". The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) did not detail what the questions related to but said it was "discussing substance" with the Iranians. There has been "engagement" from Tehran in recent weeks on questions relating to its nuclear safeguards declarations to the agency, IAEA acting head Cornel Feruta told journalists in Vienna. "(That) engagement doesn't mean that the issues are completely addressed but it's a step in the right direction," he added. Feruta said the queries did not touch directly on the faltering 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers but rather on Iran's separate safeguards agreement with the agency. Diplomatic sources in Vienna say the agency has been waiting for information from the Iranians relating to samples taken earlier this year from a warehouse near the capital Tehran. In 2018, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran of using the site for undeclared nuclear activity. At the beginning of September, Feruta had meetings with high-level officials in Tehran and subsequently urged Iran to "respond promptly" to the IAEA's questions, adding: "Time is of the essence." On Friday, he said the IAEA had "been having a very active dialogue with Iran at both technical and higher levels in the past few weeks." Feruta met Iran's atomic energy agency chief Ali Akbar Salehi during the IAEA's General Conference in Vienna in late September, followed by meetings with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his deputy Abbas Araghchi during the UN General Assembly in New York. "I think the message we sent out in September and also during my visit to Tehran was understood by the Iranian officials and as a result, we have this engagement on these particular issues," Feruta said. The latest developments come a week after the IAEA reported that Iran had started using advanced models of centrifuges to enrich uranium, a fresh breach of the 2015 deal. Iran has been progressively abandoning commitments under the deal in response to the US withdrawal from the pact and re-imposition of sanctions.

U.N. nuclear watchdog says Iran taking 'step in right direction'

China's growing military might has replaced North Korean belligerence as the main security threat to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jaishankar-mike-pompeo-japans-motegi-hold-talks-on-maritime-security-connectivity-in-indo-pacific-region-252285">Japan</a>, Tokyo's annual defence review indicated on Thursday, despite signs that Pyongyang could have nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.

The document's security assessment on China comes after a section on Japan's ally, the United States, the first time Beijing has achieved second place in the Defence White Paper and pushing North Korea into third position.

Russia, deemed by Japan as its primary threat during the Cold War, was in fourth place.

"The reality is that China is rapidly increasing military spending, and so people can grasp that we need more pages," Minister of Defence Taro Kono said at a media briefing. "China is deploying air and sea assets in the Western Pacific and through the Tsushima Strait into the Sea of Japan with greater frequency."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/inflation-by-stealth-how-japans-firms-fight-the-frugal-retail-psyche-252119">Japan has raised defence spending</a>&nbsp;by a tenth over the past seven years to counter military advances by Beijing and Pyongyang, including defences against North Korean missiles which may carry nuclear warheads, the paper said.

North Korea has conducted short-range missile launches this year that Tokyo believes show Pyongyang is developing projectiles to evade its Aegis ballistic missile defences.

To stay ahead of China's modernising military, Japan is buying US-made stealth fighters and other advanced weapons.

In its latest budget request, Japan's military asked for&nbsp;$1.1 billion&nbsp;to buy nine Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighters, including six short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variants to operate from converted helicopter carriers.

The stealth jets, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-announces-first-stage-of-phenomenal-japan-trade-deal-252091">US-made</a> interceptor missiles and other equipment are part of a proposed 1.2 per cent&nbsp;increase in defence spending to a record 5.32 trillion Yen in the year starting April 1.

By comparison, Chinese military spending is set to rise this year by 7.5 per cent&nbsp;to about $177 billion from 2018, more than three times that of Japan. Beijing is developing weapons such as stealth fighters and aircraft carriers that are helping it expand the range and scope of military operations.

Once largely confined to operating close to the Chinese coast, Beijing now routinely sends its air and sea patrols near Japan's western Okinawa islands and into the Western Pacific.

China has frequently rebuffed concerns about its military spending and intentions, including a ramped-up presence in the disputed South China Sea, and says it only desires peaceful development.

The Defence White Paper said Chinese patrols in waters and skies near Japanese territory are "a national security concern".

The paper downgraded fellow US&nbsp;ally, South Korea, which recently pulled out of an intelligence-sharing pact with Japan amid a spat over their shared wartime history. That could weaken efforts to contain North Korean threats, analysts said.

Other partners, including Australia, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India, feature more prominently in the defence paper.

"It's a reflection of the level of cooperation we undertake with each partner," a Defence Ministry official said at an earlier briefing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/talks-between-us-north-korea-may-resume-in-2-3-weeks-251650">South Korean government</a> officials took issue with the White Paper's reference to the ownership of an island in the Sea of Japan that is also claimed and controlled by South Korea. The outcrop is known as Dokdo in Seoul and Takeshima in Tokyo.

"Our government strongly protests Japan's repeated claim. The Japanese government should acknowledge that it is not helpful for bilateral relations," South Korea's foreign ministry said in a statement.

China's growing military might has replaced North Korean belligerence as the main security threat to Japan, Tokyo's annual defence review indicated on Thursday, despite signs that Pyongyang could have nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.

China's growing military might has replaced North Korean belligerence as the main security threat to Japan, Tokyo's annual defence review indicated on Thursday, despite signs that Pyongyang could have nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles. The document's security assessment on China comes after a section on Japan's ally, the United States, the first time Beijing has achieved second place in the Defence White Paper and pushing North Korea into third position. Russia, deemed by Japan as its primary threat during the Cold War, was in fourth place. "The reality is that China is rapidly increasing military spending, and so people can grasp that we need more pages," Minister of Defence Taro Kono said at a media briefing. "China is deploying air and sea assets in the Western Pacific and through the Tsushima Strait into the Sea of Japan with greater frequency." Japan has raised defence spending by a tenth over the past seven years to counter military advances by Beijing and Pyongyang, including defences against North Korean missiles which may carry nuclear warheads, the paper said. North Korea has conducted short-range missile launches this year that Tokyo believes show Pyongyang is developing projectiles to evade its Aegis ballistic missile defences. To stay ahead of China's modernising military, Japan is buying US-made stealth fighters and other advanced weapons. In its latest budget request, Japan's military asked for $1.1 billion to buy nine Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighters, including six short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variants to operate from converted helicopter carriers. The stealth jets, US-made interceptor missiles and other equipment are part of a proposed 1.2 per cent increase in defence spending to a record 5.32 trillion Yen in the year starting April 1. By comparison, Chinese military spending is set to rise this year by 7.5 per cent to about $177 billion from 2018, more than three times that of Japan. Beijing is developing weapons such as stealth fighters and aircraft carriers that are helping it expand the range and scope of military operations. Once largely confined to operating close to the Chinese coast, Beijing now routinely sends its air and sea patrols near Japan's western Okinawa islands and into the Western Pacific. China has frequently rebuffed concerns about its military spending and intentions, including a ramped-up presence in the disputed South China Sea, and says it only desires peaceful development. The Defence White Paper said Chinese patrols in waters and skies near Japanese territory are "a national security concern". The paper downgraded fellow US ally, South Korea, which recently pulled out of an intelligence-sharing pact with Japan amid a spat over their shared wartime history. That could weaken efforts to contain North Korean threats, analysts said. Other partners, including Australia, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India, feature more prominently in the defence paper. "It's a reflection of the level of cooperation we undertake with each partner," a Defence Ministry official said at an earlier briefing. South Korean government officials took issue with the White Paper's reference to the ownership of an island in the Sea of Japan that is also claimed and controlled by South Korea. The outcrop is known as Dokdo in Seoul and Takeshima in Tokyo. "Our government strongly protests Japan's repeated claim. The Japanese government should acknowledge that it is not helpful for bilateral relations," South Korea's foreign ministry said in a statement.

Japan promotes China as bigger threat than nuclear-armed North Korea

U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iranian leaders want to meet.

Trump: Iran wants to meet with U.S

Iran said Saturday it had fired up advanced centrifuges to boost its enriched uranium stockpiles, its latest scaling-back of commitments under a crumbling 2015<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-surprised-iran-going-to-violate-nuclear-deal-us-defence-secretary-mark-esper-248268"> nuclear deal</a>.

The Islamic republic was acting on a threat to further abandon its nuclear commitments based on a deadline it set for European powers to do something to shield it from US sanctions.

The country's Atomic Energy Organisation said it had activated 20 IR-4 and 20 IR-6 advanced centrifuges.

"The centrifuge machines, as they are engaged in research and development, will help with increasing the stockpile," spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said.

"The capacity of these machines is many times more than the previous machines. This started as of yesterday (Friday)," he told a news conference in Tehran.

Watch video

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-to-develop-centrifuges-from-friday-247655/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran was allowed to enrich uranium using only first-generation -- or IR-1 -- centrifuges.

Tensions have been escalating between Iran and the United States since May last year when President Donald Trump pulled out of the accord and began reimposing sanctions that have crippled the Iranian economy.

The arch-foes were on the cusp of confrontation in June when Iran downed a US drone and Trump ordered retaliatory strikes, before cancelling them at the last minute.

Britain, France and Germany have repeatedly said they are committed to saving the deal that gave Iran relief from sanctions in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme, but their efforts have so far borne little fruit.

Iran said on Saturday it was capable of enriching uranium beyond 20 per cent but for now it had no plans to do so.

"Our plan is that if the other parties act on their commitments, we too return to our commitments," said Kamalvandi.

Inspections continue

Britain called Iran's move "particularly disappointing at a time when we and our European and international partners are working hard to de-escalate tensions".

The European Union on Friday voiced "great concern" over the country's decision to roll back its commitments and emphasised its own reliance on the International Atomic Energy Agency to monitor Iran's nuclear activities.

Despite the decision to further step back from the 2015 deal, Kamalvandi said Iran would allow the IAEA to continue monitoring its nuclear facilities in accordance with the 2015 accord.

"Regarding the monitoring and accesses of the IAEA... so that everything is clear (Iran's) commitments regarding transparency will be followed as before," the spokesman said.

In its latest report on August 30, the watchdog said it continues to verify compliance through cameras and on-site inspections.

But in an apparent hint at worries about access, it said "ongoing interactions... require full and timely cooperation by Iran".

US national security advisor John Bolton tweeted on Saturday that the inspection came as the "IAEA informs its Board that #Iran may be concealing nuclear material and/or activities".

He said the US and other IAEA member states were "eager to get a full report as soon as possible".

Early Saturday, the IAEA had noted Iran's latest move and indicated its inspectors were ready to check its compliance.

"Agency inspectors are on the ground in Iran and they will report any relevant activities to IAEA headquarters in Vienna," spokesman Fredrik Dahl said.

Europe 'must hurry'

Iran's new step came after Britain, France and Germany failed to find a way to offset the impact of sanctions against Iran before a September 7 deadline set by the Islamic republic.

"If Europe wants to do something, it must hurry, because returning to the situation before reducing commitments could take time," Kamalvandi said.

Tehran has already hit back twice with countermeasures in response to the US withdrawal from the 2015 deal.

On July 1, it said it had increased its stockpile of enriched uranium to beyond the 300-kilogram maximum set by the deal.

A week later, it announced it had exceeded a 3.67-per cent cap on the purity of its uranium stocks.

Saturday's developments came on the eve of a visit to Iran by the acting head of the IAEA, Cornel Feruta.

Kamalvandi said Feruta would meet the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, Ali Akbar Salehi, and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Iran said Saturday it had fired up advanced centrifuges to boost its enriched uranium stockpiles, its latest scaling-back of commitments under a crumbling 2015 nuclear deal.

Iran said Saturday it had fired up advanced centrifuges to boost its enriched uranium stockpiles, its latest scaling-back of commitments under a crumbling 2015 nuclear deal. The Islamic republic was acting on a threat to further abandon its nuclear commitments based on a deadline it set for European powers to do something to shield it from US sanctions. The country's Atomic Energy Organisation said it had activated 20 IR-4 and 20 IR-6 advanced centrifuges. "The centrifuge machines, as they are engaged in research and development, will help with increasing the stockpile," spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said. "The capacity of these machines is many times more than the previous machines. This started as of yesterday (Friday)," he told a news conference in Tehran. Watch video × Under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran was allowed to enrich uranium using only first-generation -- or IR-1 -- centrifuges. Tensions have been escalating between Iran and the United States since May last year when President Donald Trump pulled out of the accord and began reimposing sanctions that have crippled the Iranian economy. The arch-foes were on the cusp of confrontation in June when Iran downed a US drone and Trump ordered retaliatory strikes, before cancelling them at the last minute. Britain, France and Germany have repeatedly said they are committed to saving the deal that gave Iran relief from sanctions in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme, but their efforts have so far borne little fruit. Iran said on Saturday it was capable of enriching uranium beyond 20 per cent but for now it had no plans to do so. "Our plan is that if the other parties act on their commitments, we too return to our commitments," said Kamalvandi. Inspections continue Britain called Iran's move "particularly disappointing at a time when we and our European and international partners are working hard to de-escalate tensions". The European Union on Friday voiced "great concern" over the country's decision to roll back its commitments and emphasised its own reliance on the International Atomic Energy Agency to monitor Iran's nuclear activities. Despite the decision to further step back from the 2015 deal, Kamalvandi said Iran would allow the IAEA to continue monitoring its nuclear facilities in accordance with the 2015 accord. "Regarding the monitoring and accesses of the IAEA... so that everything is clear (Iran's) commitments regarding transparency will be followed as before," the spokesman said. In its latest report on August 30, the watchdog said it continues to verify compliance through cameras and on-site inspections. But in an apparent hint at worries about access, it said "ongoing interactions... require full and timely cooperation by Iran". US national security advisor John Bolton tweeted on Saturday that the inspection came as the "IAEA informs its Board that #Iran may be concealing nuclear material and/or activities". He said the US and other IAEA member states were "eager to get a full report as soon as possible". Early Saturday, the IAEA had noted Iran's latest move and indicated its inspectors were ready to check its compliance. "Agency inspectors are on the ground in Iran and they will report any relevant activities to IAEA headquarters in Vienna," spokesman Fredrik Dahl said. Europe 'must hurry' Iran's new step came after Britain, France and Germany failed to find a way to offset the impact of sanctions against Iran before a September 7 deadline set by the Islamic republic. "If Europe wants to do something, it must hurry, because returning to the situation before reducing commitments could take time," Kamalvandi said. Tehran has already hit back twice with countermeasures in response to the US withdrawal from the 2015 deal. On July 1, it said it had increased its stockpile of enriched uranium to beyond the 300-kilogram maximum set by the deal. A week later, it announced it had exceeded a 3.67-per cent cap on the purity of its uranium stocks. Saturday's developments came on the eve of a visit to Iran by the acting head of the IAEA, Cornel Feruta. Kamalvandi said Feruta would meet the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, Ali Akbar Salehi, and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Iran fires up advanced centrifuges in latest nuclear step

The acting head of the UN's nuclear watchdog will meet officials in Iran this weekend, the organisation said Friday, as Tehran prepares to detail its latest scale-back to commitments under a 2015 deal to curb its nuclear programme.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement that it is Acting Director-General Cornel Feruta "will travel to Tehran on Saturday for meetings with high-level Iranian officials on Sunday, 8 September".

"The visit is part of ongoing interactions between the IAEA and Iran," the statement said.

These also included "the IAEA's verification and monitoring in Iran under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)," the name for the 2015 deal with world powers over Iran's nuclear activities.

On Saturday, Iranian officials are expected to announce details of the third round of cuts in nuclear commitments under the JCPOA, which Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said will affect "the field of research and development".

Tehran has already twice breached limits laid down in the deal in response to the US withdrawal from the accord in May 2018.

On July 1, Iran said it had increased its stockpile of enriched uranium to beyond the limit set by the agreement.

A week later, it announced it had exceeded the deal's uranium enrichment limit of 3.67 per cent.

Earlier on Friday, the European Commission in Brussels emphasised its reliance on the UN's nuclear watchdog is able to monitor Iran's activities as it voiced "great concern" at Tehran's shrinking back from the nuclear accord.

The IAEA had a "key role in monitoring and verifying the implementation by Iran of the nuclear commitments", Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told a media briefing.

"Our commitment to the nuclear deal depends on full compliance by Iran," she said, adding that the EU based its assessment of that "on the reports done by the International Atomic Energy Agency".

European Union members France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have been scrambling to find ways to save the deal in recent months by offsetting the effects of US sanctions, but so far without success.

The acting head of the UN's nuclear watchdog will meet officials in Iran this weekend, the organisation said Friday, as Tehran prepares to detail its latest scale-back to commitments under a 2015 deal to curb its nuclear programme.

The acting head of the UN's nuclear watchdog will meet officials in Iran this weekend, the organisation said Friday, as Tehran prepares to detail its latest scale-back to commitments under a 2015 deal to curb its nuclear programme. The International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement that it is Acting Director-General Cornel Feruta "will travel to Tehran on Saturday for meetings with high-level Iranian officials on Sunday, 8 September". "The visit is part of ongoing interactions between the IAEA and Iran," the statement said. These also included "the IAEA's verification and monitoring in Iran under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)," the name for the 2015 deal with world powers over Iran's nuclear activities. On Saturday, Iranian officials are expected to announce details of the third round of cuts in nuclear commitments under the JCPOA, which Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said will affect "the field of research and development". Tehran has already twice breached limits laid down in the deal in response to the US withdrawal from the accord in May 2018. On July 1, Iran said it had increased its stockpile of enriched uranium to beyond the limit set by the agreement. A week later, it announced it had exceeded the deal's uranium enrichment limit of 3.67 per cent. Earlier on Friday, the European Commission in Brussels emphasised its reliance on the UN's nuclear watchdog is able to monitor Iran's activities as it voiced "great concern" at Tehran's shrinking back from the nuclear accord. The IAEA had a "key role in monitoring and verifying the implementation by Iran of the nuclear commitments", Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told a media briefing. "Our commitment to the nuclear deal depends on full compliance by Iran," she said, adding that the EU based its assessment of that "on the reports done by the International Atomic Energy Agency". European Union members France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have been scrambling to find ways to save the deal in recent months by offsetting the effects of US sanctions, but so far without success.

Acting United Nations nuclear watchdog head to meet Iranian officials

Iran has started up advanced centrifuges to boost its stockpile of enriched uranium but will allow the UN atomic agency to continue monitoring its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-inching-toward-place-where-talks-could-be-held-us-defense-secretary-mark-esper-248003">nuclear programme</a>, a spokesman said Saturday.

The spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation said the agency had activated 20 IR-4 and 20 IR-6 centrifuges as a third step in the Islamic republic's reduction of its commitments under a 2015 nuclear deal.

"The centrifuge machines, as they are engaged in research and development, will help with increasing the stockpile," spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said.

"The capacity of these machines is many times more than the previous machines. This started as of yesterday (Friday)," he told reporters.

But Kamalvandi said Iran would allow the UN atomic agency -- the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) -- to continue monitoring its nuclear programme, as it has done under the 2015 accord with major powers.

"Regarding the monitoring and accesses of the IAEA... so that everything is clear (Iran's) commitments regarding transparency will be followed as before," he said.

Iran and three European countries -- Britain, France and Germany -- have been engaged in talks to save a 2015 nuclear deal that has been unravelling since the US withdrew from it in May last year.

Iran had warned it would carry out the third round of cuts to its commitments unless other parties to the deal offset the effect of US sanctions in return for its continued compliance.

It has already hit back twice with countermeasures in response to the US withdrawal from the 2015 deal, which promised it relief from sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear programme.

On July 1, Iran said it had increased its stockpile of enriched uranium to beyond the 300-kilogram maximum set by the deal.

A week later, it announced it had exceeded a 3.67-per cent cap on the purity of its uranium stocks.

Iran has started up advanced centrifuges to boost its stockpile of enriched uranium but will allow the UN atomic agency to continue monitoring its nuclear programme, a spokesman said Saturday.

Iran has started up advanced centrifuges to boost its stockpile of enriched uranium but will allow the UN atomic agency to continue monitoring its nuclear programme, a spokesman said Saturday. The spokesman for Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation said the agency had activated 20 IR-4 and 20 IR-6 centrifuges as a third step in the Islamic republic's reduction of its commitments under a 2015 nuclear deal. "The centrifuge machines, as they are engaged in research and development, will help with increasing the stockpile," spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said. "The capacity of these machines is many times more than the previous machines. This started as of yesterday (Friday)," he told reporters. But Kamalvandi said Iran would allow the UN atomic agency -- the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) -- to continue monitoring its nuclear programme, as it has done under the 2015 accord with major powers. "Regarding the monitoring and accesses of the IAEA... so that everything is clear (Iran's) commitments regarding transparency will be followed as before," he said. Iran and three European countries -- Britain, France and Germany -- have been engaged in talks to save a 2015 nuclear deal that has been unravelling since the US withdrew from it in May last year. Iran had warned it would carry out the third round of cuts to its commitments unless other parties to the deal offset the effect of US sanctions in return for its continued compliance. It has already hit back twice with countermeasures in response to the US withdrawal from the 2015 deal, which promised it relief from sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. On July 1, Iran said it had increased its stockpile of enriched uranium to beyond the 300-kilogram maximum set by the deal. A week later, it announced it had exceeded a 3.67-per cent cap on the purity of its uranium stocks.

In latest nuclear step, Iran fires up advanced centrifuges to boost stockpile of enriched uranium

US President Donald Trump on Sunday denied signing off on a joint G7 message to Iran over its nuclear programme as announced by his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.

"No, I haven't discussed that," Trump told reporters on the sidelines of the G7 summit in the southwestern French resort of Biarritz.

This contradicted Macron who shortly beforehand had said the G7 countries "agreed on what to say to Iran".

Trump said: "We’ll do our outreach. But you can’t stop people from talking. If they want to talk, they can talk."

A landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Western powers and Iran all but collapsed after Trump unilaterally withdrew US support last year, reimposing sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy.

Macron has been leading efforts to defuse the crisis by finding ways of resuming dialogue, meeting Iran's top diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif for rare talks in Paris on Friday on the eve of the summit.

He has also held telephone talks with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wont-wage-war-says-iran-president-hassan-rouhani-as-us-deploys-more-troops-to-middle-east-228306">President Hassan Rouhani</a>.

On Sunday, a diplomatic source said G7 leaders had mutually agreed to task Macron with sending a message to Iran.

"Emmanuel Macron was mandated to talk with Iran and address a message" to the country to avoid an escalation in the region, said the source.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday denied signing off on a joint G7 message to Iran over its nuclear programme as announced by his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday denied signing off on a joint G7 message to Iran over its nuclear programme as announced by his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. "No, I haven't discussed that," Trump told reporters on the sidelines of the G7 summit in the southwestern French resort of Biarritz. This contradicted Macron who shortly beforehand had said the G7 countries "agreed on what to say to Iran". Trump said: "We’ll do our outreach. But you can’t stop people from talking. If they want to talk, they can talk." A landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Western powers and Iran all but collapsed after Trump unilaterally withdrew US support last year, reimposing sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy. Macron has been leading efforts to defuse the crisis by finding ways of resuming dialogue, meeting Iran's top diplomat Mohammad Javad Zarif for rare talks in Paris on Friday on the eve of the summit. He has also held telephone talks with President Hassan Rouhani. On Sunday, a diplomatic source said G7 leaders had mutually agreed to task Macron with sending a message to Iran. "Emmanuel Macron was mandated to talk with Iran and address a message" to the country to avoid an escalation in the region, said the source.

Donald Trump says hasn't 'discussed' joint G7 message to Iran

Secret weapon project: Russian missile NATO calls Skyfall

United States President Donald Trump weighed in on a mysterious explosion in&nbsp;Russia, noting US technology is more advanced to the "failed" weapon.

The failed missile explosion which has been cloaked in secrecy took place on Thursday at the Nenoska naval weapons range on the coast of the White Sea in northern Russia.

"The United States is learning much from the failed missile explosion in Russia. We have similar, though more advanced, technology. The Russian "Skyfall" explosion has people worried about the air around the facility, and far beyond. Not good!," tweeted Trump.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The United States is learning much from the failed missile explosion in Russia. We have similar, though more advanced, technology. The Russian “Skyfall” explosion has people worried about the air around the facility, and far beyond. Not good!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1161026203345723393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

This is a first official reaction of Washington in relation with the explosion.

According to CNN, the incident had taken place on Thursday near Severodvinsk, a town located in the Arkhangelsk region which is home to a naval base and a shipyard, the Russian Defence Ministry had said.

Local authorities said that sensors "recorded a short-term increase in the radiation background" at 11:50 am (local time) on Thursday when the blast took place.

However, the radiation level started decreasing by 12:30 pm and returned to normal levels at around 2 pm, Rosatom said.

This was the second accident to hit the Russian military in less than a week.

At least 12 people had suffered injuries in an explosion at an ammunition depot in the Krasnoyarsk region on Tuesday.

(With inputs from ANI)

United States President Donald Trump weighed in on a mysterious explosion in Russia, noting US technology is more advanced to the "failed" weapon. The failed missile explosion which has been cloaked in secrecy took place on Thursday at the Nenoska naval weapons range on the coast of the White Sea in northern Russia.

United States President Donald Trump weighed in on a mysterious explosion in Russia, noting US technology is more advanced to the "failed" weapon. The failed missile explosion which has been cloaked in secrecy took place on Thursday at the Nenoska naval weapons range on the coast of the White Sea in northern Russia. "The United States is learning much from the failed missile explosion in Russia. We have similar, though more advanced, technology. The Russian "Skyfall" explosion has people worried about the air around the facility, and far beyond. Not good!," tweeted Trump. The United States is learning much from the failed missile explosion in Russia. We have similar, though more advanced, technology. The Russian “Skyfall” explosion has people worried about the air around the facility, and far beyond. Not good! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2019 × This is a first official reaction of Washington in relation with the explosion. According to CNN, the incident had taken place on Thursday near Severodvinsk, a town located in the Arkhangelsk region which is home to a naval base and a shipyard, the Russian Defence Ministry had said. Local authorities said that sensors "recorded a short-term increase in the radiation background" at 11:50 am (local time) on Thursday when the blast took place. However, the radiation level started decreasing by 12:30 pm and returned to normal levels at around 2 pm, Rosatom said. This was the second accident to hit the Russian military in less than a week. At least 12 people had suffered injuries in an explosion at an ammunition depot in the Krasnoyarsk region on Tuesday. (With inputs from ANI)

US has advanced weapons than the 'failed' Russian 'Skyfall' missile: Donald Trump

Russia's state nuclear agency Rosatom said early on Saturday that five of its staff members had been killed in an accident during tests on a military site in northern Russia, the RIA news agency reported.

The accident occurred during tests on a liquid propellant rocket engine, RIA said, citing Rosatom.

Rosatom was quoted as saying that a further three of its staff had received injuries of varying degrees of seriousness during the accident, including burns.

They were receiving the necessary medical treatment in specialised facilities, it said.

Russian authorities had previously said that two people had been killed in the incident and that a nearby city had reported a rise in radiation levels when the rocket engine blew up at a testing site in the Arkhangelsk region on Thursday.

Authorities said they had been forced to shut down part of a bay in the White Sea to shipping as a result

Residents have been stocking up iodine used to reduce the effects of radiation exposure after the accident, regional media have reported.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-south-korea-trade-conflicting-claims-over-airspace-dispute-238158">Russia's Ministry of Defence</a> has given few details of the accident.

Although the defence ministry initially said that no harmful chemicals were released into the atmosphere and that radiation levels were unchanged, authorities in the nearby city of Severodvinsk reported what they described as a brief spike in radiation.&nbsp;

No official explanation has been given for why such an accident would cause radiation to spike.

The radiation statement put out by the city of Severodvinsk disappeared from the Internet on Friday without explanation.

An unidentified naval officer quoted by the Kommersant newspaper said the accident could have occurred at a testing site at sea and that the explosion of a rocket could have caused a toxic fuel spill.

Russia media have said that the rocket engine explosion may have occurred at a weapons testing area near the village of Nyonoksa.

Those reports say an area near Nyonoksa is used for tests on weapons, including ballistic and cruise missiles that are used by the Russian navy.

Greenpeace has cited data from the Emergencies Ministry that it said showed radiation levels had risen 20 times above the normal level in Severodvinsk around 30 kilometres (18 miles) from Nyonoksa.

Russia's state nuclear agency Rosatom said early on Saturday that five of its staff members had been killed in an accident during tests on a military site in northern Russia, the RIA news agency reported.

Russia's state nuclear agency Rosatom said early on Saturday that five of its staff members had been killed in an accident during tests on a military site in northern Russia, the RIA news agency reported. The accident occurred during tests on a liquid propellant rocket engine, RIA said, citing Rosatom. Rosatom was quoted as saying that a further three of its staff had received injuries of varying degrees of seriousness during the accident, including burns. They were receiving the necessary medical treatment in specialised facilities, it said. Russian authorities had previously said that two people had been killed in the incident and that a nearby city had reported a rise in radiation levels when the rocket engine blew up at a testing site in the Arkhangelsk region on Thursday. Authorities said they had been forced to shut down part of a bay in the White Sea to shipping as a result Residents have been stocking up iodine used to reduce the effects of radiation exposure after the accident, regional media have reported. Russia's Ministry of Defence has given few details of the accident. Although the defence ministry initially said that no harmful chemicals were released into the atmosphere and that radiation levels were unchanged, authorities in the nearby city of Severodvinsk reported what they described as a brief spike in radiation. No official explanation has been given for why such an accident would cause radiation to spike. The radiation statement put out by the city of Severodvinsk disappeared from the Internet on Friday without explanation. An unidentified naval officer quoted by the Kommersant newspaper said the accident could have occurred at a testing site at sea and that the explosion of a rocket could have caused a toxic fuel spill. Russia media have said that the rocket engine explosion may have occurred at a weapons testing area near the village of Nyonoksa. Those reports say an area near Nyonoksa is used for tests on weapons, including ballistic and cruise missiles that are used by the Russian navy. Greenpeace has cited data from the Emergencies Ministry that it said showed radiation levels had risen 20 times above the normal level in Severodvinsk around 30 kilometres (18 miles) from Nyonoksa.

Russia says five killed in mysterious rocket test accident: Report

The detained British-flagged tanker Stena Impero was in an accident with an Iranian fishing boat and ignored its distress call, Iran's Fars news agency reported on Saturday, quoting an official.

All 23 crew on the tanker were now at Bandar Abbas port and would remain on the vessel until the end of an investigation, Fars quoted the official as saying.

"It got involved in an accident with an Iranian fishing boat... When the boat sent a distress call, the British-flagged ship ignored it," the head of Ports and Maritime Organisation in southern Hormozgan province, Allahmorad Afifipour, told Fars.

"The tanker is now at Iran`s Bandar Abbas port and all its 23 crew members will remain on the ship until the probe is over."

The crew was made up of 18 Indian nationals and five others from Russia, the Philippines, Lithuania and elsewhere, Afifipour said.

The Stena Impero was taken to Bandar Abbas on Friday night by the naval forces of Iran`s Revolutionary Guards and the investigation into the accident began on Saturday, Afifipour said, according to Fars.

Britain said earlier it was urgently seeking information about the tanker, which had been heading to a port in Saudi Arabia and suddenly changed course after passing through the strait at the mouth of the Gulf.

Already strained relations between Iran and the West have become increasingly fraught since the British navy seized Iran’s Grace 1 tanker in Gibraltar on July 4 on suspicion of smuggling oil to Syria in breach of EU sanctions.

The detained British-flagged tanker Stena Impero was in an accident with an Iranian fishing boat and ignored its distress call, Iran's Fars news agency reported on Saturday, quoting an official.

The detained British-flagged tanker Stena Impero was in an accident with an Iranian fishing boat and ignored its distress call, Iran's Fars news agency reported on Saturday, quoting an official. All 23 crew on the tanker were now at Bandar Abbas port and would remain on the vessel until the end of an investigation, Fars quoted the official as saying. "It got involved in an accident with an Iranian fishing boat... When the boat sent a distress call, the British-flagged ship ignored it," the head of Ports and Maritime Organisation in southern Hormozgan province, Allahmorad Afifipour, told Fars. "The tanker is now at Iran`s Bandar Abbas port and all its 23 crew members will remain on the ship until the probe is over." The crew was made up of 18 Indian nationals and five others from Russia, the Philippines, Lithuania and elsewhere, Afifipour said. The Stena Impero was taken to Bandar Abbas on Friday night by the naval forces of Iran`s Revolutionary Guards and the investigation into the accident began on Saturday, Afifipour said, according to Fars. Britain said earlier it was urgently seeking information about the tanker, which had been heading to a port in Saudi Arabia and suddenly changed course after passing through the strait at the mouth of the Gulf. Already strained relations between Iran and the West have become increasingly fraught since the British navy seized Iran’s Grace 1 tanker in Gibraltar on July 4 on suspicion of smuggling oil to Syria in breach of EU sanctions.

Iran says UK-flagged tanker was in accident with fishing boat and 'ignored distress call'

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday he hoped both <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/opinions/us-president-donald-trump-and-north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-have-to-find-real-common-ground-233182&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjC0JSz_7jjAhWDAYgKHUywD3AQFjAGegQIChAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ds6wbSgjNbNWme2mwF0XN">North Korea and the United States</a> could "be a little more creative" when the two sides restart talks aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme.

Speaking in a radio interview on "The Sean Hannity Show," Pompeo did not say when the negotiations would resume. At the end of June he had said it would likely happen "sometime in July ... probably in the next two or three weeks."

President Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last month. During the meeting, Trump became the first sitting US president to cross into North Korea, and he said the pair agreed to restart working-level talks.

Trump and Kim have met three times and held two summits over the nuclear issue.

The talks in Hanoi in February collapsed without agreement, as the United States insisted North Korea completely denuclearize and North Korea pushed for relief from sanctions.

"I hope the North Koreans will come to the table with ideas that they didn't have the first time," Pompeo said in Monday's radio interview. "We hope we can be a little more creative too."

However, Pompeo added: "The president's mission hasn't changed: to fully and finally denuclearize North Korea in a way that we can verify. That's the mission set for these negotiations."

While Trump's latest meeting with Kim demonstrated a rapport between the two, policy analysts say the two sides appear no closer to narrowing their differences. They have yet even to agree a common definition of denuclearisation, which North Korea has taken to include the US. nuclear umbrella protecting Japan and South Korea.

Washington has demanded that Pyongyang give up its nuclear weapons unilaterally, and US officials have said US policy continues to be to maintain sanctions on North Korea until it gives up its nuclear weapons.

Ahead of February's failed summit in Hanoi, US officials had raised the possibility that while sanctions would remain, they might be willing to take interim steps such as boosting humanitarian aid or opening liaison offices.

But at the summit they rejected North Korea's offer to dismantle its reactor complex at Yongbyon in exchange for wide-ranging sanctions relief, and the steps Washington has so far offered have fallen far short of North Korean expectations.

Pompeo's latest remarks come after Chinese President <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/after-trump-xi-g20-meeting-us-china-resume-talks-to-resolve-trade-war-234508&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiWwdLL_7jjAhVEQd4KHa34A6EQFjAEegQIAxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Kbel3-LoEHEp2PyW1q8vW">Xi Jinping</a> urged Trump to show flexibility in dealing with Pyongyang and to ease sanctions on the country "in due course."

China, North Korea's neighbour and main ally, signed up for UN sanctions after the North Koreans performed repeated nuclear and missile tests, but has suggested they could be reduced in return for denuclearisation steps.

South Korean officials have expressed uncertainty that the talks between the United States and North Korea can take place this month.

On Sunday, South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted unnamed diplomatic sources as saying that the United States had proposed to North Korea that working-level talks be held this week and was awaiting a response.

North Korea has frozen missile and nuclear bomb testing since 2017, but US officials believe Pyongyang has continued to expand its arsenal by producing bomb fuel and missiles.

The State Department said last week it would hope to see a complete freeze in the North Korean nuclear programme as the start of a process of denuclearisation.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday he hoped both North Korea and the United States could "be a little more creative" when the two sides restart talks aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday he hoped both North Korea and the United States could "be a little more creative" when the two sides restart talks aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme. Speaking in a radio interview on "The Sean Hannity Show," Pompeo did not say when the negotiations would resume. At the end of June he had said it would likely happen "sometime in July ... probably in the next two or three weeks." President Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last month. During the meeting, Trump became the first sitting US president to cross into North Korea, and he said the pair agreed to restart working-level talks. Trump and Kim have met three times and held two summits over the nuclear issue. The talks in Hanoi in February collapsed without agreement, as the United States insisted North Korea completely denuclearize and North Korea pushed for relief from sanctions. "I hope the North Koreans will come to the table with ideas that they didn't have the first time," Pompeo said in Monday's radio interview. "We hope we can be a little more creative too." However, Pompeo added: "The president's mission hasn't changed: to fully and finally denuclearize North Korea in a way that we can verify. That's the mission set for these negotiations." While Trump's latest meeting with Kim demonstrated a rapport between the two, policy analysts say the two sides appear no closer to narrowing their differences. They have yet even to agree a common definition of denuclearisation, which North Korea has taken to include the US. nuclear umbrella protecting Japan and South Korea. Washington has demanded that Pyongyang give up its nuclear weapons unilaterally, and US officials have said US policy continues to be to maintain sanctions on North Korea until it gives up its nuclear weapons. Ahead of February's failed summit in Hanoi, US officials had raised the possibility that while sanctions would remain, they might be willing to take interim steps such as boosting humanitarian aid or opening liaison offices. But at the summit they rejected North Korea's offer to dismantle its reactor complex at Yongbyon in exchange for wide-ranging sanctions relief, and the steps Washington has so far offered have fallen far short of North Korean expectations. Pompeo's latest remarks come after Chinese President Xi Jinping urged Trump to show flexibility in dealing with Pyongyang and to ease sanctions on the country "in due course." China, North Korea's neighbour and main ally, signed up for UN sanctions after the North Koreans performed repeated nuclear and missile tests, but has suggested they could be reduced in return for denuclearisation steps. South Korean officials have expressed uncertainty that the talks between the United States and North Korea can take place this month. On Sunday, South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted unnamed diplomatic sources as saying that the United States had proposed to North Korea that working-level talks be held this week and was awaiting a response. North Korea has frozen missile and nuclear bomb testing since 2017, but US officials believe Pyongyang has continued to expand its arsenal by producing bomb fuel and missiles. The State Department said last week it would hope to see a complete freeze in the North Korean nuclear programme as the start of a process of denuclearisation.

Mike Pompeo hopes US, North Korea can be 'more creative' in nuclear talks

When anti-nuclear activist Junko Isogai ran for office in Japan's northern Niigata region, it had an awkward dimension: not just stump speeches and chats with constituents, but entertaining potential backers.

"I was asked to pour sake, make flattering conversation and act in a way men wouldn't dislike," Isogai, 45, a mother of two teenage girls, told Reuters. "It was like being a bar hostess."

Such traditional campaign practices - heavy on face-to-face interaction and personal ties - are among many barriers women face when trying to enter Japan's male-dominated politics, candidates and experts say.

Other hurdles include a lack of role models, social norms discouraging women from speaking out, and the burden of an intense, full-time job in a society where women are expected to be responsible for housework, child-rearing, and eldercare.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-prime-minister-shinzo-abes-ruling-bloc-set-for-solid-upper-house-win-polls-236080&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjBoZjKhrnjAhUDk3AKHSCCCR0QFjACegQIDRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw18D3s9rMqBwU1-F5FK4mQ-">Prime Minister Shinzo Abe</a> has made bringing more women into the workforce a policy pillar. But politics remains male-dominated.

Since Abe took office in December 2012, Japan's global ranking of women in parliament has fallen to 164th from 122nd among 193 countries. His Liberal Democratic Party has a smaller percentage of female lawmakers than its main opposition party.

A July 21 upper-house election will be the first national poll since the passage of a gender parity law that set non-binding targets for parties to field equal numbers of male and female candidates. A record of 28% of candidates is women.

But only 15% of LDP candidates are women, compared with 45% for its main opposition, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ).

Sakura Uchikoshi, a Tokyo-based lawyer making her first foray into politics in the rural district of Niigata, is among the opposition candidates.

Niigata has a tradition of strong female politicians, including outspoken former foreign minister Makiko Tanaka. And it currently has three female opposition MPs.

NETWORKS AND NAMES

Uchikoshi, who unlike many male politicians did not rise through party ranks, suffers from an image as an outsider. She was born in Hokkaido and pursued her career in Tokyo.

That's a stark contrast with her LDP rival Ichiro Tsukada, a Niigata-born incumbent whose father was also an MP.

"My lack of name recognition is the bottleneck," Uchikoshi told Reuters in an interview before a rally.

"Male candidates have networks and ... the lack of that for rookie female candidates makes it difficult," she said, adding she was grateful for support from the three incumbent women.

Politicians, especially in the LDP, typically rise through the ranks from local assemblies to parliament, creating their base along the way. That path can be tough for women, who are expected to raise families rather than shake hands.

"Individuals have to cultivate networks themselves," said Sophia University professor Mari Miura. "Many women, who have to interrupt their careers for child-rearing and struggle with work-life balance, can't afford such energy."

Uchikoshi's backers hope she stands out as a fresh alternative to Tsukada, said Hiroshi Sasaki, a university professor and civic activist advising her campaign.

Tsukada's reputation was dented when he bragged about securing a highway project in southern Japan as unsolicited favour for Abe and Finance Minister Taro Aso. He resigned as deputy cabinet minister over the fuss.

"Usually, I vote for the LDP, but this time I think they are making fools of us and I'm angry," said 63-year-old Niigata retiree Susumu, who declined to give his last name.

Uchikoshi's husband, a lawyer, and their teenage son are living in Tokyo for the duration of the campaign, which officially kicked off on July 4.

"My son didn't seem to realise I'd have to stay in Niigata," she said.

By contrast, experts and politicians say, men, don't tend to see family duties as a barrier to entering politics.

"If a woman is a full-time housewife and her husband runs for office, she can take care of the home," CDPJ leader Yukio Edano told Reuters. "Unfortunately, the burden of child-rearing is heavier for women so the cost of running is bigger."

Isogai, who lost her bid for Niigata's prefectural assembly and is supporting Uchikoshi, said she often felt guilty for leaving her teenage daughters to the campaign.

"When I saw them with a button missing, I felt sorry," said Isogai, who moved to Niigata from Fukushima after the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. Her husband, often away for work, wasn't used to household chores, she said.

"When it comes to campaigning, it is overwhelmingly easier for men," she said.

Proponents say more female lawmakers would help Japan focus on key policies such as child care, education, and welfare.

"I'm a working mother myself and the issues of child care and elderly care are very personal," Uchikoshi said. "To prioritise such issues, we need more women legislators."

When anti-nuclear activist Junko Isogai ran for office in Japan's northern Niigata region, it had an awkward dimension: not just stump speeches and chats with constituents, but entertaining potential backers.

When anti-nuclear activist Junko Isogai ran for office in Japan's northern Niigata region, it had an awkward dimension: not just stump speeches and chats with constituents, but entertaining potential backers. "I was asked to pour sake, make flattering conversation and act in a way men wouldn't dislike," Isogai, 45, a mother of two teenage girls, told Reuters. "It was like being a bar hostess." Such traditional campaign practices - heavy on face-to-face interaction and personal ties - are among many barriers women face when trying to enter Japan's male-dominated politics, candidates and experts say. Other hurdles include a lack of role models, social norms discouraging women from speaking out, and the burden of an intense, full-time job in a society where women are expected to be responsible for housework, child-rearing, and eldercare. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made bringing more women into the workforce a policy pillar. But politics remains male-dominated. Since Abe took office in December 2012, Japan's global ranking of women in parliament has fallen to 164th from 122nd among 193 countries. His Liberal Democratic Party has a smaller percentage of female lawmakers than its main opposition party. A July 21 upper-house election will be the first national poll since the passage of a gender parity law that set non-binding targets for parties to field equal numbers of male and female candidates. A record of 28% of candidates is women. But only 15% of LDP candidates are women, compared with 45% for its main opposition, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ). Sakura Uchikoshi, a Tokyo-based lawyer making her first foray into politics in the rural district of Niigata, is among the opposition candidates. Niigata has a tradition of strong female politicians, including outspoken former foreign minister Makiko Tanaka. And it currently has three female opposition MPs. NETWORKS AND NAMES Uchikoshi, who unlike many male politicians did not rise through party ranks, suffers from an image as an outsider. She was born in Hokkaido and pursued her career in Tokyo. That's a stark contrast with her LDP rival Ichiro Tsukada, a Niigata-born incumbent whose father was also an MP. "My lack of name recognition is the bottleneck," Uchikoshi told Reuters in an interview before a rally. "Male candidates have networks and ... the lack of that for rookie female candidates makes it difficult," she said, adding she was grateful for support from the three incumbent women. Politicians, especially in the LDP, typically rise through the ranks from local assemblies to parliament, creating their base along the way. That path can be tough for women, who are expected to raise families rather than shake hands. "Individuals have to cultivate networks themselves," said Sophia University professor Mari Miura. "Many women, who have to interrupt their careers for child-rearing and struggle with work-life balance, can't afford such energy." Uchikoshi's backers hope she stands out as a fresh alternative to Tsukada, said Hiroshi Sasaki, a university professor and civic activist advising her campaign. Tsukada's reputation was dented when he bragged about securing a highway project in southern Japan as unsolicited favour for Abe and Finance Minister Taro Aso. He resigned as deputy cabinet minister over the fuss. "Usually, I vote for the LDP, but this time I think they are making fools of us and I'm angry," said 63-year-old Niigata retiree Susumu, who declined to give his last name. Uchikoshi's husband, a lawyer, and their teenage son are living in Tokyo for the duration of the campaign, which officially kicked off on July 4. "My son didn't seem to realise I'd have to stay in Niigata," she said. By contrast, experts and politicians say, men, don't tend to see family duties as a barrier to entering politics. "If a woman is a full-time housewife and her husband runs for office, she can take care of the home," CDPJ leader Yukio Edano told Reuters. "Unfortunately, the burden of child-rearing is heavier for women so the cost of running is bigger." Isogai, who lost her bid for Niigata's prefectural assembly and is supporting Uchikoshi, said she often felt guilty for leaving her teenage daughters to the campaign. "When I saw them with a button missing, I felt sorry," said Isogai, who moved to Niigata from Fukushima after the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. Her husband, often away for work, wasn't used to household chores, she said. "When it comes to campaigning, it is overwhelmingly easier for men," she said. Proponents say more female lawmakers would help Japan focus on key policies such as child care, education, and welfare. "I'm a working mother myself and the issues of child care and elderly care are very personal," Uchikoshi said. "To prioritise such issues, we need more women legislators."

Japanese women are running for parliament in record numbers, but face many obstacles

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday told his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani of his "strong concern over the risk of weakening the nuclear agreement" and of the consequences that would follow, his office announced.

In a telephone conversation Macron said he would consult with the Iranian authorities and international partners concerned with a view to resuming talks involving all concerned parties to bring about the "necessary de-escalation" of the situation, the Elysee palace added.

A top advisor to Iran's supreme leader has hinted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-to-announce-more-cuts-to-nuclear-deal-commitments-on-sunday-report-233659">Tehran could boost its uranium enrichment</a> to five per cent for "peaceful" aims, ahead of deadline it set for world powers to save a landmark 2015 nuclear deal.

Iran is acting on its May 8 threat to suspend from Sunday parts of the agreement in response to US President Donald Trump's reimposition of crippling sanctions after withdrawing from the deal in May last year.

The accord capped Iran's enrichment maximum at 3.67 per cent, sufficient for power generation but far below the more than 90 per cent level required for a nuclear weapon.&nbsp;

Uranium enrichment "will increase as much as needed for our peaceful activities," Ali Akbar Velayati, international affairs advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in an interview published Friday on the leader's official website.

"For Bushehr nuclear reactor we need five per cent enrichment and it is a completely peaceful goal," he added.

Watch:&nbsp;We will enrich uranium to ‘any amount we want’, says Iran

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-we-will-enrich-uranium-to-any-amount-we-want-232755/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Bushehr is Iran's only nuclear power station and is currently running on imported fuel from Russia that is closely monitored by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency.

On May 8, Iran announced it would no longer respect the limits set on the size of its stockpiles of enriched uranium and heavy water, and threatened to abandon further nuclear commitments, including exceeding the agreed uranium enrichment maximum from July 7.&nbsp;

It has also threatened to resume building from that date a heavy water reactor -- capable of one day producing plutonium -- in Arak in central Iran, a project that had been mothballed under the deal.

The move comes in response to what Iran deems a failure by the remaining parties to the deal -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- to provide Tehran with relief from the US sanctions.

"The US has directly and Europeans indirectly violated" the deal, said Velayati.

"We will react proportionally the more they violate it."

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday told his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani of his "strong concern over the risk of weakening the nuclear agreement" and of the consequences that would follow, his office announced.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday told his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani of his "strong concern over the risk of weakening the nuclear agreement" and of the consequences that would follow, his office announced. In a telephone conversation Macron said he would consult with the Iranian authorities and international partners concerned with a view to resuming talks involving all concerned parties to bring about the "necessary de-escalation" of the situation, the Elysee palace added. A top advisor to Iran's supreme leader has hinted Tehran could boost its uranium enrichment to five per cent for "peaceful" aims, ahead of deadline it set for world powers to save a landmark 2015 nuclear deal. Iran is acting on its May 8 threat to suspend from Sunday parts of the agreement in response to US President Donald Trump's reimposition of crippling sanctions after withdrawing from the deal in May last year. The accord capped Iran's enrichment maximum at 3.67 per cent, sufficient for power generation but far below the more than 90 per cent level required for a nuclear weapon. Uranium enrichment "will increase as much as needed for our peaceful activities," Ali Akbar Velayati, international affairs advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in an interview published Friday on the leader's official website. "For Bushehr nuclear reactor we need five per cent enrichment and it is a completely peaceful goal," he added. Watch: We will enrich uranium to ‘any amount we want’, says Iran Bushehr is Iran's only nuclear power station and is currently running on imported fuel from Russia that is closely monitored by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency. On May 8, Iran announced it would no longer respect the limits set on the size of its stockpiles of enriched uranium and heavy water, and threatened to abandon further nuclear commitments, including exceeding the agreed uranium enrichment maximum from July 7. It has also threatened to resume building from that date a heavy water reactor -- capable of one day producing plutonium -- in Arak in central Iran, a project that had been mothballed under the deal. The move comes in response to what Iran deems a failure by the remaining parties to the deal -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- to provide Tehran with relief from the US sanctions. "The US has directly and Europeans indirectly violated" the deal, said Velayati. "We will react proportionally the more they violate it."

France, Iran to resume talks over nuclear deal and its consequences

Iran will continue scaling back compliance with its nuclear deal commitments unless other signatories show "positive signals", the Iranian president told a meeting of Russian, Chinese and other Asian leaders in Tajikistan.

Iran stopped complying in May with some commitments in a 2015 nuclear deal that was agreed with global powers, a year after the United States unilaterally withdrew from the accord and tightened sanctions.

Tehran said in May that Iran would start enriching uranium at a higher level, unless world powers protected its economy from US sanctions within 60 days.

"Obviously, Iran cannot stick to this agreement unilaterally," President Hassan Rouhani told the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia.

"It is necessary that all the sides of this agreement contribute to restoring it," he said, adding that Iran needed to see "positive signals" from other signatories to the pact, which include Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany.

He did not give details on what actions Iran would take or say what positive signals Tehran wanted to see.

France and other European signatories to the deal, which aimed to curb Iran`s nuclear ambitions, have said they wanted to save it, but many of their companies have cancelled deals with Tehran, under financial pressure from the United States.

Western powers have accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies saying it wants nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

Rouhani made no mention of attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman this week which Washington has blamed on Tehran, raising concern about new confrontation. Iran has denied any role in the attacks.

Iran will continue scaling back compliance with its nuclear deal commitments unless other signatories show "positive signals", the Iranian president told a meeting of Russian, Chinese and other Asian leaders in Tajikistan.

Iran will continue scaling back compliance with its nuclear deal commitments unless other signatories show "positive signals", the Iranian president told a meeting of Russian, Chinese and other Asian leaders in Tajikistan. Iran stopped complying in May with some commitments in a 2015 nuclear deal that was agreed with global powers, a year after the United States unilaterally withdrew from the accord and tightened sanctions. Tehran said in May that Iran would start enriching uranium at a higher level, unless world powers protected its economy from US sanctions within 60 days. "Obviously, Iran cannot stick to this agreement unilaterally," President Hassan Rouhani told the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia. "It is necessary that all the sides of this agreement contribute to restoring it," he said, adding that Iran needed to see "positive signals" from other signatories to the pact, which include Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. He did not give details on what actions Iran would take or say what positive signals Tehran wanted to see. France and other European signatories to the deal, which aimed to curb Iran`s nuclear ambitions, have said they wanted to save it, but many of their companies have cancelled deals with Tehran, under financial pressure from the United States. Western powers have accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies saying it wants nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. Rouhani made no mention of attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman this week which Washington has blamed on Tehran, raising concern about new confrontation. Iran has denied any role in the attacks.

Iran president renews ultimatum over nuclear pact compliance

Nuclear deterrence led to the de-escalation of tensions during the post-Pulwama military stand-off between India and Pakistan, a senior official associated with Pakistan's nuclear programme said here Friday.

Brigadier Zahir Kazmi, Director General Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs at Strategic Plans Division (SPD) told journalists that the stated purpose of deterrence was to close space for war and bring states to the negotiating table.

"Stability actually means peaceful resolution of territorial disputes in the subcontinent... Nuclear deterrence should be a factor of stability between Pakistan and Hindustan," The Express Tribune quoted him as saying during a media interaction with senior Pakistani officials dealing with strategic affairs.

Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the February 14 Pulwama attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group which killed 40 CRPF personnel.

Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting a JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26.

The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured an Indian pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1.

Brig Kazmi said deterrence worked during the post-Pulwama military stand-off despite India's attempt to escalate to a different level by talking about mobilisation of nuclear missile and nuclear submarines. 
He clarified that deterrence was not an end in itself but a psychological state.&nbsp;

"It should inspire fear in which the perceived cost of deterrence breakdown is higher than the desired benefits of preferring war as an instrument for dispute resolution," the report quoted him as saying.

The Director-General Arms Control and Disarmament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muhammad Kamran Akhtar said that Pakistan demonstrated a more responsible and restrained behaviour during the Indo-Pakistan standoff that led to de-escalation.

He claimed that Pakistan was a responsible and restrained nuclear power and the country's safety and security record was immaculate and an example for many countries.

At the media interaction organised by Islamabad Policy Institute, Akhtar dismissed the allegations that Pakistan possessed the fastest growing nuclear programme in the world.

Defense analyst Syed Muhammad Ali said Pakistan's nuclear programme had significantly contributed towards meeting both its traditional and non-traditional security needs.

Nuclear deterrence, he added, had enabled Pakistan timely manage and de-escalate several regional crises with India during the past three decades.&nbsp;

This, he said, also gave Pakistan's leadership and diplomats more confidence in international diplomacy.

Nuclear deterrence led to the de-escalation of tensions during the post-Pulwama military stand-off between India and Pakistan, a senior official associated with Pakistan's nuclear programme said here Friday.

Nuclear deterrence led to the de-escalation of tensions during the post-Pulwama military stand-off between India and Pakistan, a senior official associated with Pakistan's nuclear programme said here Friday. Brigadier Zahir Kazmi, Director General Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs at Strategic Plans Division (SPD) told journalists that the stated purpose of deterrence was to close space for war and bring states to the negotiating table. "Stability actually means peaceful resolution of territorial disputes in the subcontinent... Nuclear deterrence should be a factor of stability between Pakistan and Hindustan," The Express Tribune quoted him as saying during a media interaction with senior Pakistani officials dealing with strategic affairs. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the February 14 Pulwama attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group which killed 40 CRPF personnel. Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting a JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured an Indian pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1. Brig Kazmi said deterrence worked during the post-Pulwama military stand-off despite India's attempt to escalate to a different level by talking about mobilisation of nuclear missile and nuclear submarines. He clarified that deterrence was not an end in itself but a psychological state. "It should inspire fear in which the perceived cost of deterrence breakdown is higher than the desired benefits of preferring war as an instrument for dispute resolution," the report quoted him as saying. The Director-General Arms Control and Disarmament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muhammad Kamran Akhtar said that Pakistan demonstrated a more responsible and restrained behaviour during the Indo-Pakistan standoff that led to de-escalation. He claimed that Pakistan was a responsible and restrained nuclear power and the country's safety and security record was immaculate and an example for many countries. At the media interaction organised by Islamabad Policy Institute, Akhtar dismissed the allegations that Pakistan possessed the fastest growing nuclear programme in the world. Defense analyst Syed Muhammad Ali said Pakistan's nuclear programme had significantly contributed towards meeting both its traditional and non-traditional security needs. Nuclear deterrence, he added, had enabled Pakistan timely manage and de-escalate several regional crises with India during the past three decades. This, he said, also gave Pakistan's leadership and diplomats more confidence in international diplomacy.

Nuclear deterrence helped de-escalate tensions during Pulwama crisis: Pak official

nuclear

Nuclear, News on Nuclear, stories on Nuclear, articles on Nuclear, Nuclear stories at Wion, Nuclear news, Nuclear latest news