Iran urges IAEA impartiality
Tehran has rejected a call by the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency to grant its inspectors immediate access to Iran’s inventory of nuclear materials. Iran’s ambassador to the UN says the IAEA has already confirmed that suspension of the agency’s inspections is a direct result of the June attacks by Israel and the US. Saeed Iravani was referring to a leaked report in which director general Rafael Grossi urged Iran to urgently resume safeguards activities under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iravani said Grossi needs to be professional and impartial and avoid politicized reports. The envoy also slammed the agency’s double standards for refusing to condemn Israel’s attacks on Iran.
Maduro warns Trump of “forever war”
Venezuelan president has urged his American counterpart not to lead the US into an Afghanistan-style forever war as the US continues to intensify its military buildup in the Caribbean region. Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro in an interview with CNN called on Donald Trump to make peace. Citing US wars in Afghanistan and Libya, Maduro urged Trump not to open a new war in the Caribbean region. His remarks came as the US has sent its most advanced aircraft carrier to the region as part of an alleged campaign against drug smuggling. There are reports that Trump is weighing military strikes on Venezuela. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine returned to the White House on Friday for a second consecutive day of deliberations focused on potential military action in Venezuela.
Students rally across Italy
Thousands of students have taken to the streets of tens of cities across Italy to stage anti-government rallies. They demanded that bills designed to reform the education system and to silence criticism of Israel be scrapped.