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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone call with Kaja Kallas, who serves as the European Commission's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy relations. The call dealt with bilateral relations between Iran and the EU, as well as current regional and international developments.During the call, the two sides discussed the Iranian nuclear program, where they emphasized the importance of continuing contacts and consultations between Iran and the European parties regarding the issue.Regarding other developments, Araghchi pointed to Israel’s ongoing violations of international law, and its practices of violations, crimes, and assaults in the West Asia region, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territories and Lebanon, stressing the responsibility of the international community to put an end to them.

Inspectors of the UN nuclear watchdog IAEA visited Iranian nuclear sites last week, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said Monday, according to state media, a week after the IAEA urged Iran to "seriously improve" co-operation.The IAEA has carried out about a dozen inspections in Iran since hostilities with Israel in June, but last week highlighted it had not been given access to nuclear facilities such as Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, which were bombed by the United States."As long as we are a member of the NPT (Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons), we will abide by our commitments, and just last week, IAEA inspectors visited several nuclear facilities, including the Tehran Research Reactor," Esmaeil Baghaei said, without naming the others.The International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said last week that Iran must "seriously improve" co-operation with the United Nations inspectors to avoid heightening tensions with the West.Iranian officials have blamed the IAEA for providing a justification for Israel's bombing in a 12-day war in June, which began the day after the IAEA board voted to declare Iran in violation of obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.Baghaei's comments Monday were in response to Grossi saying last week that Iran "cannot say 'I remain within the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons treaty’, and then not comply with obligations".

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said there are no plans to conduct nuclear explosions, despite a directive by President Donald Trump to resume nuclear testing. In an interview with Fox News, Wright clarified that tests under discussion involve tests on systems rather than nuclear explosions.He added that the goal was to develop alternative nuclear weapons, noting that President Trump was concerned about the US remaining the strongest militarily. The energy secretary, whose department is responsible for testing US nuclear weapons, said the tests include "all the other parts of a nuclear weapon to make sure they deliver the appropriate geometry, and they set up the nuclear explosion."Wright's remarks come as the first clarification from the US administration since Trump announced last week via social media that he had instructed the Department of War to begin testing US nuclear weapons on par with other countries, after a 33-year hiatus.Trump's announcement came just before his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday, in a move that appeared to be a message to rival nuclear powers Russia and China.In response to the US president's remarks, Russia said that if any country abandons its commitment to halt nuclear testing, it will act accordingly, while China called on the US to abide by the global ban on nuclear testing.

Russia's Foreign Ministry has commended Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), for his efforts in establishing a "calm" around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, following successful international mediation that enabled a safe environment for essential maintenance work. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Moscow had secured security guarantees from Ukraine to restore external power to the facility, an arrangement that had previously been unattainable. Zakharova noted that Russia raised the issue with Grossi, who engaged in intensive mediation efforts. After extended consultations, those efforts resulted in what she described as a "calm regime" that allowed repair work to begin. She also referenced a September 23 incident in which the Dniprovska power station was reportedly struck by Ukrainian forces, cutting off electricity to the nuclear plant and forcing it to rely on backup diesel generators to maintain critical systems. Repair crews began work on October 18, and the restoration of the damaged power line is expected to take several days. Zakharova emphasized Grossi's pivotal role in the process and expressed hope for continued constructive cooperation to ensure the safety and security of nuclear facilities in the region.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced the start of a complex plan to restore power to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP) in southern Ukraine after an unprecedented outage lasting nearly four weeks. This comes amid a local ceasefire that has allowed repair work to begin. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said on X platform, "Work has begun to repair damaged off-site power lines to ZNPP after a 4-week outage, following the establishment of local ceasefire zones to allow work to proceed. Restoration of off-site power is crucial for nuclear safety and security." Grossi explained that the repair work includes two cables of the 330 kilovolts (kV), which have been disconnected since May 7. Repairs are also due to begin on the damaged section of the 750 kV Dniprovska line, which was disconnected on September 23, causing the ZNPP's complete loss of off-site power. The IAEA reported that the repair work is expected to take about a week, noting that the power plant has been relying on seven emergency diesel generators for four weeks to power the cooling systems necessary to prevent the six shut-down reactors from overheating. Radioactivity levels in the area remain normal, and cooling systems are operating effectively. The Ukrainian Ministry of Energy reported that its experts are monitoring the situation on the ground, and considered the reconnection of the plant to the Ukrainian grid an essential step to ensuring stability and preventing any nuclear accident. The Russian plant's management also confirmed that the Russian Ministry of Defense is overseeing the safety of the repair teams during the plan's implementation, in coordination with the IAEA monitors deployed at the site. The ZNPP, located near the city of Enerhodar on the banks of the Dnieper River, is the largest nuclear facility in Europe and, before the war, provided about a fifth of Ukraine's electricity needs. The plant has been under Russian control since March 2022 and has since experienced 10 complete grid outages, raising repeated international concerns about the risk of a major nuclear accident.

NATO's annual Steadfast Noon nuclear deterrence exercise kicked off today in the Netherlands, with the participation of 71 aircrafts from 14 NATO member states. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the exercises send a clear message to any potential adversary that NATO will protect and defend all allies against all threats. Rutte added that NATO needs to do these exercises to help ensure that its nuclear deterrence remains as reliable, secure, and effective as possible. NATO announced that bases at Kleine Brogel in Belgium, Lakenheath in the UK, and Skrydstrup in Denmark will also participate. NATO explained that the exercises do not use nuclear weapons but simulate scenarios in which they could be used. Steadfast Noon is NATO's annual nuclear deterrence exercise, in which aircraft and personnel are trained without the use of actual nuclear weapons.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced Slovakia's agreement with the United States to build an additional nuclear reactor in Slovakia. Fico revealed the multi-billion dollar deal during a speech at an annual nuclear conference in the Slovak capital. He said that the new reactor will be built at the existing nuclear plant in Jaslovske Bohunice in western Slovakia, which will have an output exceeding 1,000 megawatts and will be fully state-owned. It is not yet clear when the two governments will sign the agreement, as Fico did not disclose further details. However, his government had approved a plan last year to build a 1,200-megawatt nuclear reactor at the site, which currently houses two nuclear reactors owned by the Slovak electric utility company (Slovenske Elektrarne). The project is estimated to cost up to 15 billion euros. The government initially planned to find a company to build the new reactor through a public tender, but recently announced it was negotiating a direct deal with the US company Westinghouse. Slovakia relies heavily on nuclear energy and currently generates more than 80% of its electricity from two nuclear plants.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the gravity of the situation at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, following a complete power outage about a week ago. Zelenskyy added, in a video address, that one of the emergency power generators had gone out of service seven days after the external power lines were cut off. "This is the seventh day. There has never before been such an emergency situation at the Zaporizhzhia plant. The situation is critical. Russian shelling has cut the plant off from the electricity network," Zelenskyy said. "We have information that one of the diesel generators has stopped working," he added. The Zaporizhzhia plant, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, has been under Russian control since March 2022, about a month after the outbreak of the Russian military operation in Ukraine. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regularly deploys a team of experts at the site. The plant has previously been targeted by strikes, causing eight power outages. The plant is in a delicate situation, raising fears of a major nuclear accident. Kyiv and Moscow are trading accusations of planning to cause an accident at the site.

The United Nations has reinstated international sanctions on Iran, effective early Sunday, after the UN Security Council granted reactivation under the "snapback" mechanism of the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement. This move is aimed at intensifying pressure on Tehran over its nuclear activities.Germany, France, and the United Kingdom — the so-called European "E3"--issued a joint statement saying they had triggered the snapback following what they described as Tehran's failure to meaningfully engage with diplomatic demands. They called on Iran to avoid further escalation and urged full compliance with Security Council resolutions and renewed cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).According to the E3, Iran's recent proposals during negotiations were deemed "very limited" and insufficient to avert the reimposition of sanctions, which took effect at midnight GMT after the 30-day deadline expired.The restored sanctions encompass a broad range of restrictions, including an arms embargo, freezing Iranian assets abroad, bans on nuclear cooperation, and constraints on ballistic missile development and certain energy exports.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the move, stating that the Security Council's action demonstrates the international community's unwillingness to accept Iranian threats. He reaffirmed that diplomacy remains open and emphasized that accountability will follow for Tehran's conduct.Earlier, a Russian-Chinese draft resolution to delay the sanction's reimposition for six months was rejected by the Security Council, effectively allowing the snapback mechanism to take effect. Russia condemned the decision, calling it a blow to diplomatic efforts with Iran.Responding to the developments, Iran recalled its ambassadors from Germany, France, and the UK for consultations in protest of the reactivation of the snapback mechanism.

Qatar participated in the high-level plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The State of Qatar was represented at the meeting by HE Director of International Organisations Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sheikha Hanouf bint Abdulrahman al-Thani.

Iran president speaking at UN General AssemblyGaps remain between Iran and E3 as deadline loomsEuropean powers offering delay if Iran makes concessionsIran has no intention to build nuclear weapons, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, just days before international sanctions could be reimposed on his country over Tehran's nuclear ambitions."I hereby declare once more before this assembly that Iran has never sought and will never seek to build a nuclear bomb. We do not seek nuclear weapons," Pezeshkian said.On August 28, Britain, France and Germany launched a 30-day process to reimpose UN sanctions that ends on September 27, accusing Tehran of failing to abide by a 2015 deal with world powers aimed at preventing it from developing a nuclear weapon.The European powers have offered to delay reinstating sanctions for up to six months to allow space for talks on a long-term deal if Iran restores access for UN nuclear inspectors, addresses concerns about its stock of enriched uranium, and engages in talks with the United States.Pezeshkian criticised the move by European powers as "illegal", saying it was made at "the behest of the United States of America".The United States, its European allies and Israel accuse Tehran of using its nuclear programme as a veil for efforts to try to develop the capability to produce weapons. Iran says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only."In doing so, they (the E3) set aside good faith. They circumvented legal obligations. They sought to portray Iran's lawful remedial measures ... as a gross violation," Pezeshkian said.But amid the looming threat of sanctions and last-ditch talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, gaps remain between Tehran and European powers over a deal to avert the snapback of sanctions.Still, both sides have left the door open to further negotiations. While the E3 says Iran's clerical rulers have so far failed to meet the conditions it set, Tehran says it will not offer concessions.Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the last say on key state matters such as foreign policy and Iran's nuclear programme, has ruled out negotiations with the United States under threat.If Tehran and the E3 fail to reach a deal on an extension by the end of September 27, then all UN sanctions will be reimposed on Iran, where the economy already struggles with crippling sanctions reimposed since 2018 after President Donald Trump ditched the pact during his first term.The so-called "snapback" process would reimpose an arms embargo, a ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing, a ban on activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, a global asset freeze and travel bans on Iranian individuals and entities.Soon after the US and Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites in June, Iran's parliament passed a law suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.However, the IAEA and Tehran reached a deal on September 9 to resume inspections at nuclear sites and UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said on Tuesday a team of inspectors was on its way to Iran should Tehran and the E3 strike a deal this week to avert revival of sanctions.

Russia and Belarus are rehearsing the launch of Russian tactical nuclear weapons as part of joint war games, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said Tuesday.State media quoted the Belarusian chief of staff as saying that the exercises also featured Russia's Oreshnik hypersonic missile, which it test-fired last year in the war with Ukraine.Russia and Belarus are ending five days of war games codenamed Zapad (West) in a show of force they say is to test combat readiness but which has unnerved some surrounding countries.Dressed in military attire, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with top military officials Tuesday in Russia's Nizhny Novogorod region, where some of the drills took place.Some 100,000 military personnel participated in the exercises, which involved roughly 10,000 pieces of military equipment, the Kremlin chief said in comments broadcast on state television.The drills were to ensure the "unconditional protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Union State," Putin said, referring to the alliance of Russia and Belarus.The war games, which Western military analysts say are designed to intimidate Europe, come just days after Polish and Nato forces say they shot down Russian drones that entered Polish airspace.Belarus, a close Russian ally which borders Ukraine and Russia, as well as Nato members Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, hosts Russian tactical nuclear weapons which Moscow retains command and control of.Lukashenko was cited by the Belarusian state news agency Belta as saying that it was only natural that the Russian tactical nuclear weapons were part of the Zapad drills."We are practising everything there. They (the West) know this too, we are not hiding it. From firing conventional small arms to nuclear warheads. Again, we must be able to do all this. Otherwise, why would they be on Belarusian territory?" he was quoted as saying."But we are absolutely not planning to threaten anyone with this."The Belarusian Defence Ministry confirmed in a statement that the use of tactical nuclear weapons had been rehearsed along with the deployment of Russia's intermediate-range Oreshnik ballistic missile that Moscow fired at Ukraine for the first time on November 21 last year.Putin said late last year that Russia could deploy Oreshniks, which he has claimed are impossible to intercept, on the territory of Belarus in the second half of 2025.Lukashenko, who holds regular talks with Putin, allowed Moscow to use his territory to enter Ukraine in February 2022, but has not committed his own troops to the fighting.US President Donald Trump has begun cultivating closer ties with Lukashenko, long treated as a pariah by the West, and relaxed some sanctions on Belarus last week in return for the release of 52 prisoners including political opponents.US military officers observed part of the Zapad exercise in Belarus on Monday.Russia's Defence Ministry said Tuesday that nuclear-capable Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers had rehearsed launching cruise missiles over the Barents Sea north of the Nordic countries.The bombers had flown over the Barents Sea's neutral waters for about four hours, escorted by MiG-31 fighter jets, it said.Separately, it said Marines belonging to Russia's Northern Fleet practised repelling an amphibious landing by an enemy force on a peninsula in Russia's Murmansk region.Video showed troops — backed by attack helicopters and fighter jets — using armoured personnel carriers, drones, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and automatic weapons — seeing off an imaginary enemy.Ships from Russia's Baltic Fleet — backed by fighter jets — test-fired cruise missiles at notional enemy ships, as did the fleet's land-based mobile missile launchers.In Russia's Kaliningrad exclave, troops practised using a Torn-MDM radio reconnaissance complex to detect the location of enemy forces so that their coordinates could be passed on to drone and artillery units.