Iran Warns U.S. Against Israeli Pressure as Nuclear Talks Resume

Iran has warned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the United States is a calculated move to undermine the newly resumed nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S., urging Washington to resist external pressure that could derail diplomacy.

Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Tuesday for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, as he seeks to push for a tougher American position on Iran, particularly on its ballistic missile programme, ahead of the next phase of negotiations.

The trip marks Netanyahu’s seventh meeting with Trump since the U.S. president returned to office. Their last meeting took place in Jerusalem in October 2025, shortly after Trump announced a ceasefire in Gaza.

Speaking before his departure, Netanyahu said discussions would focus on Gaza, regional developments and Iran’s nuclear file.

“On this trip, we will discuss a range of issues: Gaza, the region, but of course first and foremost the negotiations with Iran,” he said.

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Netanyahu added that he would present Israel’s position on what he described as “the principles of the negotiations,” arguing that these principles were crucial not only for Israel but for peace and security in the Middle East.

His office has repeatedly insisted that any agreement with Iran must extend beyond nuclear matters to include ballistic missile development and Iran’s regional activities.

Reacting to the visit, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei accused Israel of being the primary source of instability in the region and of working against diplomatic efforts.

Baghaei said Israel had turned Iran’s “peaceful nuclear programme” into what he described as a “fabricated crisis”, adding that Israel opposes any diplomatic process capable of restoring peace and calm in the Middle East.

He cautioned U.S. officials against allowing foreign actors to shape American foreign policy, urging Washington to act independently of what he called “destructive pressures and lobbies.”

Baghaei said Iran had demonstrated seriousness and goodwill in the talks and was eager to secure the lifting of “illegal sanctions” imposed on the country.

Referring to a brief encounter between Iranian and U.S. delegations last Friday, he said there was an understanding to continue the diplomatic process, describing it as an important step forward.

Meanwhile, Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, arrived in Oman on Tuesday, according to local media, as diplomatic engagements around the talks intensify.

Iran Warns U.S. Against Israeli Pressure as Nuclear Talks Resume

US to Deport 18 More Nigerians on ‘Worst-of-the-Worst’ Criminal List (Full Names)

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans to deport an additional 18 Nigerians from its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal register, bringing the total number of Nigerians slated for removal to 97. The latest names were added to DHS records on Monday, reflecting an expansion of the ongoing enforcement exercise targeting serious criminal immigrants.

According to DHS, the newly listed Nigerians were convicted of offences such as wire fraud, mail fraud, and identity theft, among other crimes. The department emphasized that the arrests are part of a nationwide crackdown coordinated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the leadership of Under Secretary Noem, fulfilling President Trump’s promise to prioritize the deportation of the most dangerous criminal aliens.

In a statement, DHS said:
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, the men and women of DHS and ICE are fulfilling President Trump’s promise and carrying out mass deportations, starting with the worst of the worst.”

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The 18 Nigerians recently added to the list include: Oluwaseyanu Akinola Afolabi, Olugbeminiyi Aderibigbe, Benjamin Ifebajo, Obinwanne Okeke, Kolawole Aminu, Oluwadamilola Olufunsho Ojo, Franklin Ibeabuchi, Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin, Joshua Ineh, Stephen Oseghale, Eghosa Obaretin, Adesina Surajudeen Lasisi, Ibrahim Ijaoba, Azeez Yinusa, Charles Akabuogu, Kelechi Umeh, Lotenna Chisom Umeadi, Donald Ehie, and Chukwudi Kingsley Kalu.

This development underscores the U.S. administration’s tough stance on illegal and criminal immigrants, with foreign nationals, including Nigerians, continuing to be significantly affected by enforcement drives. Analysts say the DHS crackdown signals the federal government’s commitment to prioritizing the removal of individuals considered threats to public safety and national security.

The announcement follows a series of previous deportations affecting Nigerian nationals, with the total number of Nigerians removed under the “worst-of-the-worst” initiative steadily rising. Nigerian authorities have historically prepared reintegration measures for deported citizens, assisting returnees with relocation and support upon arrival.

US to Deport 18 More Nigerians on ‘Worst-of-the-Worst’ Criminal List (Full Names)

Japan Restarts World’s Largest Nuclear Power Plant After Technical Glitch

Japan has restarted the world’s largest nuclear power plant, the Kashiwazaki‑Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, following a brief suspension caused by a technical alert and minor malfunction during its initial restart. The move marks a major step in Japan’s nuclear energy revival as the country seeks to reduce fossil fuel imports, strengthen energy security, and meet its carbon neutrality goals.

The restart, conducted by Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. (TEPCO), involved the No. 6 reactor at Kashiwazaki‑Kariwa in Niigata Prefecture. Operations resumed after additional safety checks addressed a monitoring system alarm triggered during control rod operations in late January. TEPCO announced that commercial operations are expected to begin by March 18, 2026.

The Kashiwazaki‑Kariwa plant, with a total capacity of approximately 8.2 gigawatts, has been mostly offline since the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi disaster, when an earthquake and tsunami caused multiple reactor meltdowns. Its restart follows rigorous safety upgrades, including enhanced tsunami defenses, improved emergency power systems, and stricter regulatory compliance, approved by the Nuclear Regulation Authority and local authorities.

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The government views the plant’s revival as a crucial element of its energy transition strategy, aiming to diversify Japan’s electricity generation, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, and achieve long-term climate targets. Japan has gradually restarted other reactors across the country under strict safety protocols, but Kashiwazaki‑Kariwa represents the largest single increase in nuclear generation capacity in more than a decade.

Despite the positive energy implications, the restart remains controversial. Many local residents and safety advocates continue to express concerns over potential risks, emphasizing the importance of robust emergency planning in an earthquake-prone region. Petition campaigns and public consultations prior to the restart highlighted these safety fears, signaling ongoing local scrutiny.

Experts say that the reactivation of Japan’s largest nuclear plant could strengthen national energy independence and play a significant role in reducing the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. However, they stress that maintaining a strong safety culture is essential to prevent incidents and preserve public confidence in nuclear energy.

The plant’s restart underscores Japan’s broader energy policy shift, as the country seeks a balance between renewable energy expansion and nuclear power, which remains a critical component of its electricity supply mix. With rising domestic energy demand, including from digital infrastructure and AI systems, nuclear power is seen as a reliable and low-carbon solution to meet Japan’s energy needs.

Japan Restarts World’s Largest Nuclear Power Plant After Technical Glitch