nuclear programme

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared ahead of the 81st UN General Assembly that Iran 'will never seek to build a nuclear bomb'. The statement comes as world leaders prepare to gather in New York, with Iran's nuclear programme and ongoing talks over sanctions and inspections expected to feature prominently on the agenda.

North Korea has informed the United Nations that its status as a nuclear-armed state is irreversible and rejected outside pressure to abandon its weapons programme. The declaration, delivered through UN channels, signals Pyongyang's continued defiance of Security Council resolutions and international disarmament efforts, underscoring stalled diplomacy over the Korean peninsula's denuclearisation.

Donald Trump has denied reports that the United States offered Iran sanctions relief in exchange for concessions on its nuclear programme. The claim, which Trump rejected outright, comes amid ongoing tensions over Tehran's nuclear activities and uncertainty about the future of diplomatic efforts between the two countries.

New satellite imagery analysed by NK News indicates North Korea is expanding its uranium enrichment facility at Yongbyon, the country's main nuclear complex. The expansion suggests Pyongyang continues to build up its fissile material production capacity despite international sanctions. Analysts are scrutinising the site for signs of additional enrichment halls or support buildings.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Qatari mediators as Tehran floated a seven-day plan to de-escalate: reopening the Strait of Hormuz on day six and resuming nuclear talks on day seven. The United States rejected the proposal, leaving the diplomatic path uncertain amid rising tensions over Iran's nuclear programme and the strategic waterway.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, laying out Iran's position on nuclear weapons, relations with Israel and regional security. His speech framed Iran's stated red lines amid ongoing tensions over Tehran's nuclear programme and the wider Middle East conflict, drawing wide attention online.

Donald Trump says he offered Iran 'nothing' amid confusion over the state of nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Conflicting reports have emerged about what proposals, if any, were put on the table, leaving the direction of the talks unclear. Observers are watching closely for clarification from either side on the actual status of diplomacy over Iran's nuclear programme.

Donald Trump has rejected a proposal from Iran to hold talks over a seven-day period, dismissing the timetable offered by Tehran. The rejection escalates tensions between Washington and Tehran amid ongoing disputes over Iran's nuclear programme. Observers are watching to see whether the two sides will return to negotiations or whether the standoff will deepen further.

Kazakhstan's experience in nuclear diplomacy is being put forward as a rare workable model for resolving the standoff over Iran's uranium stockpile. Analysts argue Kazakhstan's history of voluntarily giving up Soviet-era nuclear weapons and mediating non-proliferation issues offers lessons, as talks over Iran's enriched uranium face growing technical and political hurdles.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Trump prevented Iran from reaching what he called military 'immunity', framing the administration's pressure campaign as having blocked Tehran from consolidating a stronger military position. The remarks reinforce Washington's line that its confrontational stance, including sanctions and strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, degraded Iran's capabilities. Comment is following the US-Iran tensions over Tehran's nuclear programme and the aftermath of recent hostilities.

The Middle East Institute has published an analysis examining Turkey's nuclear ambitions in the environment following the war involving Iran. The piece explores how the conflict may reshape Ankara's strategic calculations regarding nuclear capability, and whether regional destabilisation could push Turkey to reconsider its position on acquiring nuclear weapons or advancing its civilian nuclear programme.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have issued an open letter directed at American voters, an unusual public appeal by the elite military force to the US public. The move comes as Iran remains a central issue in American politics, with debates over sanctions and its nuclear programme in the spotlight. The letter is being read as an attempt to influence opinion in the United States ahead of the election.

Economic pressure in Iran is mounting as prices for everyday goods continue to climb, and analysts suggest the worsening cost-of-living crisis could push Tehran toward renewed diplomacy with Washington. Observers say economic strain may soften Iran's negotiating position and create openings for talks over sanctions and its nuclear programme.

Iran's parliament has reportedly seen an explosive debate over a bill pushing for the development of nuclear weapons, prompting alarm in Israel and the United States. The reported nuclear demand marks a sharp escalation in rhetoric around Iran's nuclear programme, with observers watching closely for any official response from Tehran or Western governments.

Commentary on Iran's nuclear programme is arguing that the crisis demonstrates why nuclear deterrence remains central to international security. The piece suggests Iran's pursuit of nuclear capability shows how deterrence logic still shapes state behaviour and strategic calculations. It feeds a broader debate over whether nuclear weapons prevent conflict or fuel proliferation, a question given new urgency by tensions in the Middle East.

The Kremlin has said Russia opposes Iran withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, according to a report carried by The Jerusalem Post. The statement comes amid heightened tensions over Iran's nuclear programme, and signals Moscow's position as international debate intensifies over whether Tehran could abandon the accord that constrains nuclear weapons development.

A new training facility has opened at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina to support the expansion of plutonium pit production, a core component of the United States' nuclear weapons stockpile renewal programme. The facility will prepare workers for pit manufacturing roles as the site takes on duties currently centred at Los Alamos, amid ongoing debate over costs, timelines and environmental concerns.

A spokesperson for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has rejected US claims that Tehran is pursuing nuclear weapons, insisting Iran is not after such arms. He directly accused US President Donald Trump of being 'a big liar'. The sharp exchange adds fresh rhetorical tension to the ongoing dispute over Iran's nuclear programme, with Iranian officials continuing to deny weapons ambitions while Washington maintains its allegations.

Donald Trump has denied that the United States offered Iran sanctions relief, while Tehran says it is ready to enter talks. The exchange highlights continued friction over the path back to negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme, with Washington and Tehran offering differing accounts of what has been proposed and both sides signalling openness to dialogue.

North Korea has told the UN General Assembly that its status as a nuclear-armed state is irreversible, restating its refusal to give up its weapons programme. The declaration comes amid stalled diplomacy and heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula, and is being widely reported by international news outlets.

A new survey reported by The Korea Herald has found that eight out of ten South Koreans view North Korea as a separate state rather than as part of the same country. The finding points to a shift in attitudes on the peninsula, where official policy has long treated unification as the goal. The poll comes amid stalled inter-Korean ties and heightened tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear programme.

The Kremlin has stated it does not want Iran to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, a rare public position from Moscow on Tehran's nuclear commitments. The comments come amid heightened international concern over Iran's nuclear programme and speculation that it could scale back cooperation with global watchdogs.

Senior US and Iranian officials are holding talks in New York, taking advantage of the UN General Assembly gathering for high-level diplomatic contact. The discussions cover Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions relief and regional tensions. The meeting is drawing close attention as both sides test whether diplomacy can de-escalate a standoff that has repeatedly raised fears of a wider conflict.