JCPOA revival talks
Iran says key issues still need to be resolved in Vienna talks on the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal. Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh made the remarks in his weekly press conference. He said making decisions in key fields requires precision and time. Khatibzadeh noted that Tehran's main goal is to support its national interests, saying it is now time for the US to make a definite political decision. Khatibzadeh once again stated that Iran would return to full compliance with the accord after a verifiable removal of all sanctions the US has imposed on the country since pulling out of the deal in 2018. He said Washington is fully aware of Tehran’s clear stance and that Iran has been moving in the same direction it took since the very beginning of the nuclear talks.
Israeli violations
Israel has denied the entry of Gaza cancer patients for treatment through a checkpoint despite calls by human rights organizations. Israel had blocked the Erez checkpoint completely during its recent aggression against the besieged Palestinian territory. The blockade kept patients with urgent medical needs waiting for permission to leave the territory. After a ceasefire last Friday, Israel announced that it will allow the entry of people needing life-saving treatment. However, reports say it has only allowed the entry of people needing to reach intensive care units by ambulance. This is while several human rights organizations made an appeal last Wednesday, calling the blockade an extremely unreasonable move.
US-Europe espionage
France says allegations that the US spied on top European politicians are extremely serious if they are proven to be true. Europe Minister Clement Beaune says an investigation should be opened into the cooperation between the Danish and American intelligence services. The French minister has said facts must be first verified before conclusions are drawn. He was addressing a Sunday report that the US spied on top politicians in Europe, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, with the help of Danish Intelligence. Denmark's defense minister has already condemned the systematic eavesdropping of allies as unacceptable. The report says Washington continued to spy on its allies even after the 2013 Snowden affair. Back then, US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden revealed that the US government was spying on its own citizens and its allies.