Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has expressed the country's intention to pursue a "peaceful" nuclear agreement with the United States, while firmly maintaining that Iran will not compromise its national security. The U.S., alongside European allies and Israel, has accused Iran of potentially using its nuclear program to develop weapons, a claim Iran categorically denies, asserting that its nuclear activities are solely for peaceful purposes.

In October, former President Donald Trump indicated a willingness to negotiate with Iran, suggesting a stance of friendship and cooperation. However, Khatibzadeh criticized the U.S. for sending mixed signals regarding nuclear discussions through third parties. Following a 12-day conflict in June between Iran and Israel, which included U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, negotiations have stalled, with significant disagreements persisting, particularly over uranium enrichment levels.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ruled out negotiations with the U.S. under conditions perceived as threatening. Khatibzadeh reiterated Iran's commitment to providing assurances to the international community regarding its nuclear intentions, emphasizing pride in its domestically developed nuclear program.

In a related development, the United Kingdom has halted intelligence sharing with the United States concerning suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean. This decision stems from concerns over the legality of U.S. military strikes that have reportedly resulted in civilian casualties, marking a notable shift in the UK's collaboration with the U.S. on military operations in Latin America.

Historically, the UK has assisted the U.S. in identifying drug trafficking vessels, enabling the U.S. Coast Guard to interdict these ships. However, following the initiation of lethal strikes by the U.S. military in September, the UK expressed apprehensions that its intelligence could be misused for targeting. British officials contend that these military actions, which have led to 76 fatalities, violate international law. The suspension of intelligence sharing began over a month ago.

Volker Türk, the UN’s human rights chief, has characterized the strikes as extrajudicial killings, aligning with the UK's concerns. Prior to these military actions, the U.S. approach to drug trafficking involved law enforcement, treating suspects as criminals entitled to due process. The Trump administration's shift to military action has raised legal and ethical questions, particularly regarding the classification of drug traffickers as 'enemy combatants' and the justification for lethal force.

Legal experts have noted that the Law of Armed Conflict may not apply to civilian drug traffickers, and reports suggest that some targeted vessels were not posing an imminent threat at the time of the strikes. Additionally, senior U.S. defense officials, including Admiral Alvin Holsey, commander of U.S. Southern Command, have expressed doubts about the legality of these military operations, with Holsey reportedly offering to resign over these concerns.

Canada has also distanced itself from U.S. military strikes while continuing its partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard under Operation Caribbean, emphasizing that its intelligence should not be used for military targeting.

These developments reflect a broader trend of militarization in response to civil unrest and international tensions, raising significant concerns about the implications for civil liberties and humanitarian considerations in both domestic and international contexts.