Press TV's news headlines

Iran: No US zero enrichment request

Iran’s foreign minister says the US has not asked Tehran for permanent zero enrichment during the Oman-mediated talks, stressing that the discussions remain focused on keeping Iran’s nuclear program peaceful. Speaking in an interview with American news channel MS NOW, Abbas Araghchi added that sanctions on Tehran should be removed in exchange. He emphasized that a deal between Iran and the US remains achievable while noting that it should be fair and based on a win-win solution. Iran’s top diplomat also revealed that the next step in the talks is for him to present a draft of a possible deal to his American counterparts. Araghchi said he believes that in the next two to three days, the draft would be ready after final confirmation by his superiors. He said after that, the draft would be handed to US envoy Steve Witkoff. Tehran and Washington held the second round of their talks on February 17 in the Swiss capital, Geneva. 

Al-Aqsa is packed for Ramadan

Tens of thousands of Palestinian worshippers performed Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied al-Quds on the first Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan, despite tightened Israeli security measures across the city. Palestinian sources say that around 80,000 worshippers gathered at the revered mosque compound. The religious foundation overseeing Al-Aqsa reported strong attendance, even as Israeli forces intensified their presence throughout the city. Israeli police said that 3,000 officers were deployed across East al-Quds on Friday, with security forces stationed heavily around the mosque compound and across the Old City ahead of the prayers. The measures coincided with ongoing Israeli restrictions on Palestinians traveling across the occupied West Bank to the city. During Ramadan, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians traditionally travel to occupied al-Quds to pray at Al-Aqsa. It is Islam’s third-holiest site, also revered as a holy place in Judaism.

Trump tariffs struck down

In a sharp rebuke to President Trump, the Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that he overstepped his authority by imposing sweeping global tariffs under emergency powers. The court found that Trump misused a 1977 law, dubbed the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, to justify broad tariffs on goods entering the United States. The law allows a president to regulate trade during a true national emergency, but it does not specifically authorize tariffs. In its decision, the conservative-majority court made clear that the Constitution gives Congress the power to set tariffs. Trump is the first US president to use the emergency law to impose such sweeping trade taxes. Meanwhile, Trump blasted the ruling as a disgrace and hinted at a backup plan to preserve his trade agenda. The decision limits his ability to use emergency declarations as a political weapon in trade disputes. It could also carry a major economic impact, as the administration has warned it may have to refund billions of dollars collected under the now-invalid tariffs.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk