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Vance says Iran must cut enrichment to end war
US Vice President JD Vance told Reuters in an exclusive interview that Iran must make a “meaningful” cut in its nuclear enrichment programs to meet US demands and stop the seven-month war between the two countries.At the same time, Washington is unsure how Tehran makes decisions during negotiations.
Vance, who has long doubted US involvement in foreign conflicts, is leading efforts to reach a peace deal.
In June, he helped broker a temporary agreement, but it collapsed quickly.The war has affected global energy prices and has made President Donald Trump and other Republicans look weak ahead of the November midterm elections.
After a campaign trip in Alaska, Vance said any deal would require Iran to reduce its nuclear enrichment, not just promise to do so later.
“If you don’t want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need 60% enriched fuel?
And if you want to show you’re not going to build a nuclear weapon, don’t build highly enriched fuel.That’s a basic issue,” Vance said.
He added, “If they want to show they’re not going to build a nuclear weapon, they should take meaningful steps on their enrichment programs.”
In recent weeks, Iran and the US have been discussing ways to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which is crucial for global energy shipping.
Trump rejected Tehran’s latest offer and warned that military action could get worse after the midterms.
Vance said the US is still open to a deal but wants real nuclear concessions from Iran.
“We won’t trade words for actions,” he said.
UNCERTAIN ABOUT IRAN’S DECISION-MAKING: VANCE
Vance also said Washington isn’t sure who makes decisions in Iran.
He has talked with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, but it’s unclear how much power they have in Iran’s leadership structure.This became even more complicated after joint US-Israeli strikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the start of the war.
“One of the things we noticed is it’s not totally clear how decisions are made in Iran,” Vance said.
Trump also said on Tuesday that his biggest problem is not knowing who is in charge of Iran.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that US officials know who the Iranian representatives are and how the decision-making process works.
“The real problem is the contradictory statements and mixed messages from US officials,” Esmaeil Baghaei said at a press conference.
Vance told Reuters he has spoken with field commanders to understand the battlefield.
He said there are no serious shortages of weapons and that while Iranian forces can hit commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, they can’t stop energy shipments through the waterway.
Vance did not say whether he is leading peace talks, even though he is often seen as the White House’s main negotiator.
“We are certainly involved,” he said.”Ultimately, the president of the United States is driving things.”
The war — costing about $3 billion a month — has become a big issue in the campaign.
Rising energy prices have hurt Trump and Republicans in key states that could influence the outcome of Congress.
Vance has tried to downplay criticism of Trump’s handling of the conflict, telling voters not to let this issue stop them from supporting Republicans in the coming election.
In Alaska, Vance supported Senator Dan Sullivan, who is in a close race against Democratic challenger Mary Peltola.
Trump won Alaska by 13 points in 2024, but higher living costs have put the state in question.
Before talking to Reuters, Vance focused much of his speech on affordability, especially energy prices.
In Alaska, remote location makes everyday items more expensive, and energy production is a big part of the economy.
Rallygoers cheered when Sullivan almost introduced Vance as the US president instead of the vice president.
Vance is seen as a top Republican candidate for the presidency in 2028.
Vance told Reuters he hasn’t decided yet whether he will run for president in 2028.
“He said, ‘I’m naturally someone who puts things off.
I haven’t really thought about it much.'”
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Pakistan test-fires upgraded Fatah-4 with enhanced precision and survivability
Pakistan has successfully conducted a test launch of the extended version of its indigenously developed Fatah-4 Ground-Launched Cruise Missile, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The latest test focused on an extended-range variant of the weapon system and was aimed at validating additional technical parameters incorporated into its various sub-systems. The missile is equipped with advanced avionics and state-of-the-art navigational aids, enabling it to engage targets at extended ranges with high precision and lethality.
The development marks another test of Pakistan’s domestically developed Fatah-4 system, which was previously reported with a range of 750 kilometres.
According to the military’s statement, the extended version successfully demonstrated the performance of its upgraded systems during the launch.
The test validated additional technical parameters of various sub-systems designed to improve accuracy and enhance the weapon system’s survivability. The latest configuration is also intended to provide the capability to engage targets at greater distances while maintaining precision.
The Fatah-4 is a Ground-Launched Cruise Missile equipped with advanced avionics and modern navigation technology. Pakistan previously conducted a successful training fire of the system in May 2026, with ISPR saying the exercise was intended to enhance operational efficiency and validate technical parameters linked to accuracy and survivability.
The missile had earlier been publicly reported with a range of 750 kilometres. The extended version tested on Tuesday has been described by ISPR as capable of engaging targets at extended ranges, although the military statement did not specify a new maximum range.
The launch was witnessed by senior officers from the Pakistan Army, alongside scientists and engineers from the developing agency.
The Fatah-4 was first publicly confirmed by Pakistan in 2025, when the Army conducted a successful training launch of the newly inducted Ground-Launched Cruise Missile. At that time, ISPR said the system featured advanced avionics and state-of-the-art navigational aids and was capable of engaging targets with high precision.
A further training fire was conducted in May 2026 by the Army Rocket Force Command. ISPR said the exercise validated technical parameters of various sub-systems while focusing on improved accuracy and enhanced survivability.
The President and Prime Minister of Pakistan, along with the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces and the Services Chiefs, commended the successful test launch of the Fatah-4 extended version.
They also appreciated the technical expertise, dedication and commitment of the scientists, engineers and other personnel involved in achieving the latest milestone.
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Syria, Saudi Arabia discuss reconstruction, investment
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday.They talked about Syria’s rebuilding efforts and ways to bring in Saudi investments.
Al-Sharaa officially invited the crown prince to visit Syria.
The Saudi official news agency, SPA, posted pictures of the meeting on X, but didn’t give more details.
The Syrian presidency said that Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani was also at the meeting.
They discussed the relationship between Syria and Saudi Arabia and how to improve it to benefit both countries.
The Syrian presidency’s media office later said the talks were about improving relations in many areas and boosting political, diplomatic, and economic cooperation in a way that works for both nations.
They also reviewed plans for Syria’s reconstruction, including repairing damaged infrastructure and important facilities from the war, as reported by the Syrian Arab News Agency, SANA.
The discussions also covered bringing in high-quality investments to Syria and increasing the role of Syrian and Saudi businesses in energy, construction, industry, agriculture, and trade.
Al-Sharaa invited Mohammed bin Salman to visit Syria, with the presidency saying the visit would help build closer ties and start a new stage of Arab cooperation on regional and international matters.
They also talked about recent events in the region and shared views on issues that affect both countries, aiming to support security and stability in the area.
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Dar condemns India’s weaponization of water, says Indus Waters Treaty remains in force
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, on Tuesday criticized India for using water as a tool of pressure and stressed that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is still fully active.He pointed out that India’s decision to put the treaty on hold has no legal foundation.
Speaking at the “International Water Symposium” in Vienna via a video message, Senator Dar said that rivers shared between countries should support peace and teamwork, not force and control.
The symposium was organized by the Pakistan Embassy in Austria, working with the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.
It brought together diplomats, scholars, and experts to talk about water safety and international teamwork, with a special session on managing rivers across borders, water rights, and international law.A news release from the DPM’s office shared this.
Senator Dar mentioned that India placed the treaty on hold in April 2025, even though the treaty itself doesn’t allow either side to stop or suspend it.
He highlighted the unanimous ruling from the Court of Arbitration on August 31, 2026, which reviewed India’s claims, such as a serious violation, major changes, war, and countermeasures.The court found none of these justified stopping or ending the treaty.
He stated the court clearly confirmed the treaty is still fully in effect and that India must follow its rules, especially those about designing and running hydroelectric projects on the Western Rivers.
He described this as a strong reaffirmation of the legal principle that agreements must be honored.
Senator Dar also noted that on the same day the court issued an order about the Ratle Hydro-Electric Plant.
It limited the completion of some parts of the project until 90 days after the Neutral Expert’s final decision and required India to share details on the project’s schedule.
He said that even though these court rulings support Pakistan’s position and reject India’s actions, India continues its firm stance and illegal actions toward the treaty.
He stressed the importance of the Indus system, which supports the lives and work of over 250 million Pakistanis, helping in farming, food supply, electricity, and economic growth.
He said for Pakistan, water safety is closely linked to food, economic, and national security.
He warned that using water to pressure such a large population would cause serious human, economic, and security issues.
He also said India’s actions could set a dangerous example for other shared river systems where millions rely on following international agreements.
Senator Dar said Pakistan has always tried to solve differences through talks, diplomacy, and the treaty’s dispute solutions.
Pakistan is also taking part in the Neutral Expert process, which is run by the Vienna Office of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hofburg Palace.It is working well with the process.
He outlined three main points: the treaty must be respected and followed properly, its obligations can’t be tied to political ties or one-sided choices, and all issues and disputes should be resolved through the treaty’s own methods, and those decisions must be followed.
Both countries should improve technical work, sharing data and being open.
He emphasized the role of the international community in upholding international law and teamwork based on treaties.
He said that while the world order based on international law faces challenges, the community should strengthen treaty-based cooperation rather than allow it to weaken.
He repeated Pakistan’s position: “Our choice is always cooperation, not pressure, and dialogue, not conflict, and the rule of law, not unilateral action.”
He also made it clear that there should be no confusion about Pakistan’s determination to protect its rightful water rights under the treaty and international law.
He warned that any attempt to take away water that is rightfully Pakistan’s would have serious effects on regional peace and safety.
The deputy prime minister wished the symposium productive discussions and hoped it would help build stronger international cooperation on water management.
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