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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday said indirect talks with the US through its intermediary Oman have stopped as Tehran "does not see a basis" for them amid wars and heightened tension in the region.
Oman is a frequent interlocutor between Iran and western nations, particularly the US, and has played a key role in indirect nuclear talks as well as prisoner swaps.
"We do not see a basis for these talks until we can overcome the current crisis and then we will decide whether to start working again or not," Mr Araghchi said in Muscat, Iran's Irna agency reported.
Mr Araghchi met Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul Salam in Muscat as part of a visit to Oman, the latest in a series of diplomatic trips in the region following Israel's vow to retaliate against an Iranian missile attack two weeks ago. The Houthis have also launched attacks on Tel Aviv to which Israel responded by hitting Yemen's Hodeidah port, a lifeline for millions of Yemenis who require food and aid assistance.
Mr Araghchi also met Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi.
Last week, Oman and Iran held joint naval and land forces drills, aiming to enhance combat preparedness of the neighbours who share a maritime border along the Gulf of Oman.
“For the time being, the Muscat process is stopped because of special situation in the region," Mr Araghchi said, as fighting rages on in Gaza and Lebanon. Iran is also bracing for Israeli retaliation after the barrage of ballistic missiles Iran fired at the country in retaliation to a series of Israeli strikes on Lebanon that killed a large part of Hezbollah's leadership, as well as Iranian military commander Abbas Nilforoushan.
The US is Israel's close ally and major provider of military assistance while Iran backs Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, all of which are fighting Israel.
Iran has repeatedly accused the US of assisting Israel in committing genocide and war crimes in Gaza since the conflict began, and has described the October 7 attacks on Israel carried out by militant group Hamas as “a turning point in the history of the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people”.
Mr Araghchi said no message was sent to the US during his regional trip but that Iran's position has been relayed to the West.
"Our position is quite clear and we have repeated many times that we do not want war and conflict although we are fully prepared for it," Mr Araghchi said, in a message to the US and European countries. He stressed that diplomacy should be enough to prevent a war with Israel from taking place.
"The region is experiencing a state of alert and may be on the verge of large-scale conflicts, and diplomacy is the only way to prevent and avoid major crises," he said. He praised Oman's important role in resolving numerous issues through its mediation.
Under new President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran has been indicating a will to return to negotiations with the US to revive a nuclear deal, leading to the lifting of sanctions. Tehran has been accused of enriching uranium to nearly weapons-grade levels since former US president Donald Trump pulled the US out of the deal in 2018.
Mr Araghchi said future decisions on whether to resume indirect talks with the US would be made "after further assessment", as a possible warming of ties between Iran and the West seem more distant than ever given the tension in the region. The EU on Monday imposed new sanctions on Iranian officials and groups accused of being involved in the transfer of missiles and drones for Russia to use in Ukraine.
The minister's regional trip began with a visit to Saudi Arabia last week where he met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He also travelled to Qatar and Iraq where discussions were also centred on the need to end the wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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
How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
RESULTS
6.30pm: Handicap (rated 95-108) US$125,000 2000m (Dirt).
Winner: Don’t Give Up, Gerald Mosse (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap (95 ) $160,000 2810m (Turf).
Winner: Los Barbados, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
7.40pm: Handicap (80-89) $60,000 1600m (D).
Winner: Claim The Roses, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.15pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (Div-1) Conditions $100,000 1,400m (D)
Winner: Gold Town, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
8.50pm: Cape Verdi Group 2 $200,000 1600m (T).
Winner: Promising Run, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
9.25pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Conditions $100,000 1,400m (D).
Winner: El Chapo, Luke Morris, Fawzi Nass.
Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (PA) Group 1 | US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) Listed | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) Conditions | $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m
8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,200m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
One-off T20 International: UAE v Australia
When: Monday, October 22, 2pm start
Where: Abu Dhabi Cricket, Oval 1
Tickets: Admission is free
Australia squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Ben McDermott, Darcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa, Peter Siddle
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
