International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi on Thursday said “concrete, tangible, visible results” were needed in the dispute over Iran's nuclear programme to avoid a war, after he met top leaders in Tehran for talks on reviving a deal.
Mr Grossi, who began an official visit on Tuesday, is in the country for talks on allowing UN inspections of Tehran's nuclear compounds and resurrecting an agreement that collapsed in 2018. He met Iran's top leadership, including Mohammad Eslami, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, the Tasnim news agency reported.
“We have a situation of tension,” Mr Grossi said. "The nuclear programme of Iran is at the centre of that. And I am here to work with Iran to find an adequate solution."
Mr Grossi is expected to meet President Masoud Pezeshkian later on Thursday. It is his second visit to Tehran this year. He said finding a solution to the nuclear dispute was crucial to “avoid the possibilities of war”.
“It is indispensable to get, at this point in time, to some concrete, tangible, visible results that will indicate that this joint work is improving the situation … and in a general sense is moving us away from conflict and ultimately war,” Mr Grossi said.
Iran is willing to resolve disputes with the IAEA over its compliance with safeguards for its atomic programme but will not do so under pressure, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said after meeting Mr Grossi on Thursday.
Calling their discussions “important and straightforward”, Mr Araghchi said Iran will co-operate with the agency as a “committed member” of the international non-proliferation treaty.
“We agreed to proceed with courage and good will. Iran has never left the negotiation table on its peaceful nuclear programme,” Mr Araghchi wrote on X.
Tehran was willing to discuss the issue based on the “national interest” and “inalienable rights” but not “under pressure and intimidation”.
In a post on X, Mr Grossi described his meeting with Mr Araghchi as “indispensable”. Mr Araghchi was Iran's chief negotiator in talks that led to the 2015 nuclear deal, which collapsed in 2018 after US president-elect Donald Trump unilaterally pulled out of the agreement during his first term in the White House. The decision led Iran to resume its nuclear programme by rolling back on its commitment.
Mr Grossi also reiterated his opposition to any military strike on nuclear sites as against international law. “I say this with regards to Iran, nuclear installations should not be attacked,” he said.
Before his visit, Mr Grossi had said it was imperative to “find ways to reach diplomatic solutions” as “margins for manoeuvre are beginning to shrink”.
His comments came amid fears that Israel could be preparing to launch air strikes on Iranian nuclear compounds. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Monday that Iran was “more exposed than ever to strikes on its nuclear facilities”.
Mr Grossi said he was hopeful of achieving a breakthrough on nuclear inspections after Iran denied access to its sites for IAEA inspectors.
The agency claims Iran has significantly expanded its stocks of uranium enriched to 60 per cent, closer to the 90 per cent level needed to make a nuclear bomb. But Iran insists it never left the negotiation table and blames Mr Trump.
“The one who left the agreement was not Iran, it was America,” government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said on Wednesday. “Mr Trump once tried the path of maximum pressure and saw that this path did not work.”
Mr Eslami said Iran will take “immediate countermeasures” against any resolution by the agency that interferes with Iran’s nuclear programme.
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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 four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2018 Audi Q5/SQ5
Price, base: Dh183,900 / Dh249,000
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder / 3.0L, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic / Eight-speed automatic
Power: 252hp @ 5,000rpm / 354hp @ 5,400rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,600rpm / 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy: combined 7.2L / 100km / 8.3L / 100km
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
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.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
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
A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies – by Kiana Danial
There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine.
Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.
Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.
Begin your cryptocurrency journey here.
Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104
