Germany calls for de-escalation of 'explosive' Iran-U.S. tension

[inanna]

Last edited Mon Jun 10, 2019, 10:03 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: Reuters

June 10, 2019 / 1:56 AM / Updated 27 minutes ago

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Confrontation between Washington and Tehran is now “explosive” and could lead to military escalation, Germany’s foreign minister said on Monday, becoming the most senior Western official to visit Iran since a war of words erupted last month.

Iran accused the United States of waging economic war by reimposing and extending sanctions. Nevertheless, it reassured Germany’s Heiko Maas that it still wants to work with European powers to salvage a deal to curb its nuclear program in return for lifting sanctions, which Washington abandoned a year ago.

European countries have found themselves caught in the middle as the United States and Iran have taken increasingly aggressive postures in recent weeks.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-eu/germany-calls-for-de-escalation-of-explosive-iran-u-s-tension-idUSKCN1TB0IT?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

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This story has been updated. See below.

[inanna]

1. Reuters: Iran has accelerated enrichment of uranium, IAEA says

June 10, 2019 / 1:56 AM / Updated 14 minutes ago

TEHRAN/VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran has followed through on a threat to accelerate its production of enriched uranium, the head of the U.N. atomic watchdog said on Monday, departing from his usual guarded language to say he was worried about increasing tension.

<snip>

Iran said last month it was still abiding by the deal but would quadruple its production of enriched uranium - a move that could take it out of compliance if stockpiles rise too far. It demanded European countries do more to shield it from sanctions.

On Monday, Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas became the most senior Western official to visit Iran since the new war of words erupted last month between Washington and Tehran.

“The situation in the region here is highly explosive and extremely serious,” Maas told a news conference alongside Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. “A dangerous escalation of existing tensions can also lead to a military escalation.”

...

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-eu/iran-has-accelerated-enrichment-of-uranium-iaea-says-idUSKCN1TB0IT?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

[Takket]

2. Iran is enriching uranium again...

I can’t believe how little is made of this. They are enriching again because drumpf stabbed them in the back! It is entirely HIS FAULT and he is making the world less safe because of it. Why are our allies and the media not speaking out???

[Nitram]

3. That's like throwing gasoline on a fire for Trump. His only tactic is tp create a "crisis."

That's why he threatened tariffs on Mexico goods at the same time he is negotiating NAFTA v.1.2. Mexico bowed down and agreed to Trump's terms and he declared a "win." That was the whole point of the otherwise meaningless exercise.