US President Joe Biden and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meet on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, in Savelletri. AFP
US President Joe Biden and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meet on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, in Savelletri. AFP
US President Joe Biden and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meet on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, in Savelletri. AFP
US President Joe Biden and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meet on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, in Savelletri. AFP

G7 urges Iran to 'cease and reverse' nuclear activities


Sunniva Rose
  • English
  • Arabic

The Group of Seven countries on Friday urged Iran to "cease and reverse" nuclear escalations and stop continuing uranium enrichment activities that have no credible civilian justifications.

The leaders said they would be ready to enforce new measures if Tehran were to transfer ballistic missiles to Russia, according to a communique.

"We urge Tehran to cease and reverse nuclear escalations, and stop the continuing uranium enrichment activities that have no credible civilian justifications," the statement said.

The Middle East has been one of the main discussion points at the two-day summit that started on Thursday at the luxury resort of Borgno Egnazia in southern Italy.

Leaders have highlighted their concern about escalations on the Lebanon-Israel border and endorsed US President Joe Biden's ceasefire plan for Gaza in addition to ramping up support for Ukraine.

The G7 members are the US, UK Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. Several leaders from the Global South, as well as Pope Francis, have been invited for talks on Friday afternoon on Artificial Intelligence.

The G7 concerns about Iran comes a day after the International Atomic Energy Agency said that Tehran is further expanding its nuclear capacities. The agency's board of governors last week passed a resolution criticising Tehran's lack of co-operation with the UN nuclear watchdog.

The IAEA informed its members that Tehran told the agency it was installing more cascades at the enrichment facilities in Natanz and Fordow.

Iran's military tests the Khaibar ballistic missile. The G7 says it is ready to enforce new measures if Tehran transfer ballistic missiles to Russia. AFP
Iran's military tests the Khaibar ballistic missile. The G7 says it is ready to enforce new measures if Tehran transfer ballistic missiles to Russia. AFP

A cascade is a series of centrifuges, machines used in the process of enriching uranium. A diplomatic source deemed this development as "moderate".

So far, Iran has been enriching uranium in those cascades up to 2 per cent purity. It already enriches uranium up to 60 per cent, a short, technical step away from the weapons grade of 90 per cent.

Tehran did not immediately acknowledge the decision. However, it comes after Iran threatened to take action following a vote earlier this month at the IAEA's board of governors that censured the country for failing to co-operate fully with the agency.

The decision immediately drew criticism from US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

“Iran aims to continue expanding its nuclear programme in ways that have no credible peaceful purpose,” Mr Miller said. “These planned actions further undermine Iran’s claims to the contrary. If Iran implements these plans, we will respond accordingly.”

Mr Miller did not elaborate on what steps the US and its allies might take. However, Iran already faces grinding economic sanctions from Washington and others that have deeply cut into its economy and sent its rial currency tumbling over recent years.

The Islamic republic has gradually broken away from its commitments under the nuclear deal it struck with world powers in 2015.

The landmark deal provided Iran with relief from western sanctions in exchange for curbs on its atomic programme, but it fell apart after the unilateral withdrawal of the United States under then-president Donald Trump in 2018.

Efforts to revive the deal have so far failed.

The G7 summit in Italy - in pictures

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.

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Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Updated: June 15, 2024, 5:52 AM`