World

Iran would accept Trump's offer to meet soon, New York Times reports

A 3D printed miniature model of US President Donald Trump and Iran flag are seen in this illustration taken June 18, 2025.

PHOTO: Reuters

PUBLISHED ONJune 19, 2025 1:07 AM

WASHINGTON — Iran would accept US President Donald Trump's offer to meet soon, the New York Times reported on Wednesday (June 18), citing a senior Iranian official.

The newspaper, citing the official, added that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi would accept such a meeting to discuss a cease-fire with Israel.

Trump, who has indicated he wants talks to focus on the Iranian nuclear programme, said on Monday that he might send US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff or Vice President JD Vance to meet Iranian officials.

US wants South Korea to join efforts to counter China in shipbuilding

The South Korean and American flags fly next to each other at Yongin, South Korea, Aug 23, 2016.

PHOTO: US Army via Reuters file

PUBLISHED ONJuly 11, 2025 8:35 AM

SEOUL — The US wants South Korea to join efforts to counter China's growth in shipbuilding via potential co-operation in the sector, a senior official from Seoul's trade ministry said on Friday (July 11).

"The United States feels a sense of crisis that China's market share in the shipbuilding sector is growing and is tapping Korea as a strategic partner," Trade Policy Director Chang Sung-gil said at a forum hosted by a lawmaker.

The US is asking Seoul to join measures to curb China in "other areas" as the "precondition" for bilateral co-operation in shipbuilding, he said, without elaborating.

He later clarified that he was referring to the shipbuilding sector as the potential area where the United States wants Seoul to join hands in terms of taking on China.

The US had also expressed reservations when it comes to cutting or eliminating industry-specific tariffs, such as those on automobiles and steel, Chang said.

The United States is asking Seoul to boost US investments and purchases of US energy and agriculture products in return for negotiating over reciprocal tariffs of 25 per cent, he said, but added "there is a lot of political sensitivity in South Korea when it comes to expanding imports of agricultural products.