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Indirect talks between the US and Iran have attempted to build on an unannounced truce in Iraq to expand it across conflict-hit areas of the Middle East, sources have told The National.
Although Washington has not commented on the latest discussions, Iranian state media confirmed the most recent rounds of indirect talks, saying they focused on negotiations for removing sanctions against Iran – thought to be a major motivation for Tehran's increased initiative to mitigate regional conflict.
“There is a clear American push … for the Iranians to maintain the relative restraint they are exercising on their part, especially on the Iraqi front, where an unofficial truce has continued for more than a month,” one of the sources said of the diplomatic efforts.
The US this month renewed a sanctions waiver that grants Iran access to $10 billion in previously escrowed funds. The waiver, which allows Tehran to use electricity revenue from Iraq for budgetary support and debt repayment, comes four months after a similar extension.
The waiver appears to be one of the indications that US President Joe Biden's administration “is showing the extent of its willingness to win the Iranians in this sensitive period of war in Gaza, and with the drums of electoral war beginning to beat in the United States”, a Lebanese source close to the Iran-allied Hezbollah group told The National.
“Biden does not seem ready for a major adventure that might eat away more of his political capital,” added the source.
For years, the US and Iran held discussions through mediators in Oman, Geneva and other cities regarding Tehran’s controversial nuclear ambitions, ballistic missile programme and regional areas of influence.
But talks between the two countries shifted towards maintaining regional security and finding ways to prevent a full-scale war in the Middle East following Hamas’s attack on October 7, which sparked Israel’s war in Gaza and led to the mobilisation of Iran-allied militant groups across the region in support of the Palestinian militant group.
Militant groups in Iraq and Syria have attacked US troops as part of a co-ordinated front since the outbreak of the war in Gaza – where health authorities say more than 31,800 people have been killed by Israeli fire – demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian territory run by their ally Hamas.
However, the last strike by those militias was on February 4. The cessation of attacks against US forces was part of an “unannounced truce” that included Tehran and the Iraqi government, sources in Beirut and Baghdad told The National this month.
“It’s no secret that we’ve seen no attacks since early February,” a State Department representative told The National.
“We know better than to take militias’ claims at face value; we reiterate our warning against putting US personnel at risk.”
The de-escalation followed a January attack that killed three US soldiers at the Jordanian-Syrian border. It was attributed by Washington to the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iran-backed group of militias that includes Kataib Hezbollah.
A senior Iranian commander then travelled to Baghdad and met militants to urge an immediate detente. Shortly after the meeting, Kataib Hezbollah announced it was suspending military operations against US forces in Syria and Iraq to prevent “any embarrassment” to the government in Baghdad.
“It’s hard not to imagine the Americans [being] part of it,” a source in Beirut close to the Iranian-backed anti-Israel front said at the time.
The State Department representative would not confirm such talks but added that “we have ways of sending messages to the Iranians when it is in our interest”.
Iranian commander visits Lebanon
In Lebanon, where Iran’s powerful ally Hezbollah is waging a contained war of attrition against neighbouring Israel, the US has dedicated significant efforts to achieving a truce and preventing a bigger conflict. Such a war would have devastating consequences for Lebanon and Israel, possibly igniting wider regional confrontation.
Hezbollah has consistently rebuffed US-brokered attempts to call a truce before a ceasefire in Gaza is established.
But the militant group has also shown little interest in dragging itself into a major war with Israel and has attempted to prevent further escalation. For its part, Israel has carried out attacks deeper inside Lebanon in recent weeks, seeking to achieve its objective of pushing Hezbollah from the south using a tactic Israeli officials have called “diplomacy or force”.
Despite Hezbollah’s public rebuffs, sources in Beirut close to diplomatic efforts told The National an arrangement to start negotiations to end the border conflict between Lebanon and Israel was progressing despite fears of a large-scale war with Hezbollah.
The deal is being mediated by US envoy Amos Hochstein and Lebanon's Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri, who is the head of the Amal Movement close to Hezbollah. The US has no direct contact with Hezbollah, which it considers a terrorist group.
Two Lebanese political sources close to Hezbollah said the head of Iran’s Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani has travelled to Lebanon several times in recent months to meet Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and discuss ways to maintain the pressure on Israel without entering into a full-scale war.
“The Iranians didn’t go to tell Nasrallah: 'We do not want to get involved in the war with Israel.' Instead, they went to co-ordinate the work of the Quds Force [with Hezbollah],” one of the sources told The National.
Meanwhile, US and Iranian officials told The Financial Times last week that the US held secret talks with Iran in January in Oman in a bid to convince Tehran to use its influence over Yemen’s Houthi movement to end attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
A senior western diplomat who recently toured the front lines between Israel and Lebanon cast doubt on American ability to limit the regional impact of the Gaza conflict, particularly in Lebanon.
“Regional war is ongoing already,” he said, pointing out the Hezbollah-Israel front.
He said the Gaza war has exposed Israeli vulnerability to any multipronged attacks by Iran’s militia allies, with Hezbollah possessing even more superior tunnel warfare and missile capability than Hamas.
The existential threat posed by Hezbollah's attacks in the wake of October 7, illustrated by the inability of tens of thousands of Israeli residents to return to their northern border towns, underscores Israel's motivations to push back their foe.
“The only way to deal with this threat is to roll Hezbollah significantly away from the border,” the source told The National. “It does not matter if the Americans are not on board. The Israelis are not listening to them anyway.”
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Company Profile
Name: JustClean
Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
Number of employees: 130
Sector: online laundry service
Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Du Plessis plans his retirement
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said on Friday the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia in two years' time will be his last.
Du Plessis, 34, who has led his country in two World T20 campaigns, in 2014 and 2016, is keen to play a third but will then step aside.
"The T20 World Cup in 2020 is something I'm really looking forward to. I think right now that will probably be the last tournament for me," he said in Brisbane ahead of a one-off T20 against Australia on Saturday.
The years Ramadan fell in May
Asia Cup Qualifier
Final
UAE v Hong Kong
Live on OSN Cricket HD. Coverage starts at 5.30am
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
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Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners
Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)
Biography
Favourite Meal: Chicken Caesar salad
Hobbies: Travelling, going to the gym
Inspiration: Father, who was a captain in the UAE army
Favourite read: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Favourite film: The Founder, about the establishment of McDonald's
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
