Representatives of three European countries – Germany, the UK and France – met in Geneva on Tuesday with Iran in a last-ditch effort to avert reimposing UN sanctions on Iran's nuclear programme.
Talks have intensified in the past weeks as the deadline looms for the three European countries, collectively known as the E3, to trigger a mechanism that would reinstate six suspended UN Security Council resolutions.
Kazem Gharibabadi, an Iranian deputy foreign minister who attended the talks with Britain, France and Germany in Geneva, said in a post on X it was "high time" for the European trio "to make the right choice and give diplomacy time and space".
"It was decided that contacts between the two sides would continue in the coming days," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told state TV after the talks ended.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warned last week that “time is running out” after speaking to his counterparts on the phone, including Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Tuesday's meeting was confirmed by European sources to The National after Iran state media reported that officials would gather to discuss Iran's nuclear programme. On the table is UN resolution 2231, which endorsed a deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). It is set to expire on October 18.
While they appear intent on triggering the “snapback” mechanism, the Europeans suggested during talks with Iran in Istanbul last month that resolution 2231 was extended by six months to allow more time for negotiations – a proposal that has so far received no response.
The E3 want Iran to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to resume inspections. It must also cease violations of the deal, which include uranium stockpiles representing more than 40 times the limit.
In Geneva, Iran was represented by its deputy foreign ministers, and European countries by their foreign ministries' political directors. Similar meetings took place in July, February, and November 2024.
Triggering snapback must be done before the end of August in order to launch procedures that would meet an October deadline. The UN resolutions include arms embargoes, frozen assets and restrictions on Iran’s missile and nuclear programmes.
There is a perception that Iran is ignoring Europe's offer to extend talks because it believes that reinstating UN sanctions cannot be worse than the 12-day US and Israeli bombing campaign in June. Israel's surprise aerial attacks derailed nuclear talks between Iran and the US which had begun in April. Iran is already under a US embargo.
Iran has been closely co-ordinating with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who spoke to his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian before the Geneva talks. Iran's sole civilian power plant in Bushehr is fuelled with Russian-imported uranium. Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful.
Russia, set to assume the presidency of the UN Security Council in September, has circulated a very short draft, seen by The National, calling for the extension of resolution 2231 by six months till April 2026.
The document acknowledges "the importance of finding a negotiated diplomatic solution to the issues related to resolution 2231 (2015)" and recognises "the necessity of allowing additional time for negotiations on this matter".
The draft would not allow the E3 to trigger snapback for six months.
Iran has publicly rejected the idea of an extension of resolution 2231 and has threatened to withdraw from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty if snapback is triggered.
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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The years Ramadan fell in May
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
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
