The Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran as the first fuel is loaded in 2010. Getty Images
The Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran as the first fuel is loaded in 2010. Getty Images
The Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran as the first fuel is loaded in 2010. Getty Images
The Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran as the first fuel is loaded in 2010. Getty Images

Iran to launch 'new and advanced' centrifuges in response to IAEA censure


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

Iran said it plans to launch a “significant series of new and advanced centrifuges” in response to being censured by the UN’s nuclear watchdog for a lack of co-operation.

Mohammad Eslami, the head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, issued the order following a rebuke from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) over Tehran’s failure to resolve a probe into uranium particles found at undeclared locations.

The move is in line with Iran’s peaceful nuclear programme, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that technical co-operation with the IAEA would continue.

The censure motion brought by Britain, France and Germany, collectively known as the E3, in addition to the United States at the International Atomic Energy Agency late on Thursday followed a similar one in June.

The resolution, which China, Russia and Burkina Faso voted against, was carried with 19 votes in favour, 12 abstentions and Venezuela not participating, two diplomats told AFP.

The confidential resolution, seen by AFP, says it is “essential and urgent” for Iran to “act to fulfil its legal obligations”.

It came days after Iran suggested it was ready to resolve the standoff over its atomic work by agreeing to stop enriching uranium to 60 per cent levels, close to the level required for nuclear weapons.

Iran “remains ready for constructive engagement with relevant parties based on international legal principles and standards”, the Foreign Ministry said.

The IAEA resolution calls on the body’s inspectors to publish a comprehensive report about Iran’s nuclear activities next year.

In a statement shared on X, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said IAEA's board of governors adopted an “important resolution” requiring the IAEA to publish a comprehensive report regarding “Iran's violations”. “The most dangerous regime in the world must not have the most dangerous weapon. To this end, the international community must increase the pressure on the Iranian regime,” he wrote.

Iran’s earlier pledge to cease creating more highly enriched nuclear fuel was the first time the nation had made such a proposal, according to the IAEA. “They are taking a different direction,” director general Rafael Grossi said on Wednesday. “This is the first time that they are saying, ‘OK, we stop.’”

Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). AFP
Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). AFP

The move was seen as a way of appeasing incoming US president Donald Trump, some of whose advisers have said his administration will increase sanctions on Iran. Such a move could worsen Iran’s already struggling economy.

The E3 are the only European nations that were party to a failed 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

The increased pressure on Iran from the European countries comes after mounting concern over its role in supporting Russia's war effort against Ukraine. Germany last month also ordered the closure of all general Iranian consulates in response to the execution of an Iranian-German dual citizen on terrorism charges.

Iran has signalled it is open to diplomatic negotiations over its nuclear programme ahead of the return of former president Donald Trump to the White House in January.

During his previous tenure (2017-2021), Mr Trump pushed for aggressive sanctions against Iran, causing it to lose $200 billion in oil revenue. He has vowed to renew his “maximum pressure” campaign when he returns to office.

The five pillars of Islam
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Raha%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Kuwait%2FSaudi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tech%20Logistics%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2414%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Soor%20Capital%2C%20eWTP%20Arabia%20Capital%2C%20Aujan%20Enterprises%2C%20Nox%20Management%2C%20Cedar%20Mundi%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20166%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'Shakuntala Devi'

Starring: Vidya Balan, Sanya Malhotra

Director: Anu Menon

Rating: Three out of five stars

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Pension support
  • Mental well-being assistance
  • Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
  • Financial well-being incentives 
What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

KINGDOM%20OF%20THE%20PLANET%20OF%20THE%20APES
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wes%20Ball%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Owen%20Teague%2C%20Freya%20Allen%2C%20Kevin%20Durand%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK 

Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

HOW%20TO%20ACTIVATE%20THE%20GEMINI%20SHORTCUT%20ON%20CHROME%20CANARY
%3Cp%3E1.%20Go%20to%20%3Cstrong%3Echrome%3A%2F%2Fflags%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E2.%20Find%20and%20enable%20%3Cstrong%3EExpansion%20pack%20for%20the%20Site%20Search%20starter%20pack%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E3.%20Restart%20Chrome%20Canary%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E4.%20Go%20to%20%3Cstrong%3Echrome%3A%2F%2Fsettings%2FsearchEngines%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20in%20the%20address%20bar%20and%20find%20the%20%3Cstrong%3EChat%20with%20Gemini%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20shortcut%20under%20%3Cstrong%3ESite%20Search%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E5.%20Open%20a%20new%20tab%20and%20type%20%40%20to%20see%20the%20Chat%20with%20Gemini%20shortcut%20along%20with%20other%20Omnibox%20shortcuts%20to%20search%20tabs%2C%20history%20and%20bookmarks%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA

Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi

Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser

Rating: 4.5/5

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Updated: November 24, 2024, 11:11 AM`