Nicaragua Ends Visa-Free Entry for Cubans, Disrupting Key Migration Route to the U.S. 
New York Legalizes Medical Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Patients 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
Trump Says “Very Good Talks” Underway on Russia-Ukraine War as Peace Efforts Continue 
Federal Judge Restores Funding for Gateway Rail Tunnel Project 
Japan Election 2026: Sanae Takaichi Poised for Landslide Win Despite Record Snowfall 
Antonio José Seguro Poised for Landslide Win in Portugal Presidential Runoff 
U.S. to Begin Paying UN Dues as Financial Crisis Spurs Push for Reforms 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
China Warns US Arms Sales to Taiwan Could Disrupt Trump’s Planned Visit 
TrumpRx Website Launches to Offer Discounted Prescription Drugs for Cash-Paying Americans 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
TrumpRx.gov Highlights GLP-1 Drug Discounts but Offers Limited Savings for Most Americans 
Trump Signs “America First Arms Transfer Strategy” to Prioritize U.S. Weapons Sales 
Netanyahu to Meet Trump in Washington as Iran Nuclear Talks Intensify 
Iran and the West are close to coming to an agreement that would restore the 2015 nuclear deal after months of negotiations. Tehran this week decided to dismantle monitoring cameras put in place by the UN’s nuclear watchdog when the US and other European countries called for its censure.
The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran turned off the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Online Enrichment Monitor and flowmeter system in a nuclear facility, it said Wednesday. The move follows the move by the US and its allies in Europe to submit a resolution to censure Iran over concerns that Tehran was not cooperating with the watchdog.
The AEOI said in a statement that all the monitoring systems that it dismantled were put in place voluntarily and were beyond the framework of the safeguards agreement with the IAEA. The AEOI added that over 80 percent of the existing IAEA cameras were covered by the agreement and would remain in place and running.
“Unfortunately, without considering that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s cooperation has been out of goodwill, the agency has not only not been grateful for it, but has also in a way considered it Iran’s duty,” the AEOI said in the statement, adding that IAEA was informed of the move that was implemented Wednesday.
The US and its European allies expressed concerns over Iran’s developments in its nuclear program and its failure to cooperate, according to the two reports of the IAEA that were released last week.
They cited Iran’s possession of 60 percent enriched uranium along with deploying 2000 advanced centrifuges and expanded research and development as a cause of concern.
Iran and its nuclear officials have previously questioned the impartiality of the UN watchdog and whether the global nuclear organization has been politically compromised. In an interview with Al Jazeera Monday, AEOI chief Mohammad Eslami said the IAEA must put an end to “infiltration by Iran’s enemies” in its operations.
Eslami cited the organization’s confidential reports getting leaked to the media before the actual recipients of the reports receive them. Eslami added that Iran has provided the answers to the questions of the organization but that the IAEA does not have the “will” that is needed to declare Tehran’s answers as appropriate.
