Middle East countries, including Iraq and Saudi Arabia, have reacted with optimism after Iran and the US held a first round of indirect talks in Oman, with the adversaries signalling a rare moment of positivity after years of diplomatic deadlock.
The talks on Saturday included the first face-to-face interaction between the two nations since former US president Barack Obama was in office. Washington and Tehran, which have not had diplomatic relations for more than 40 years, are seeking a new deal on Iran's nuclear programme after US President Donald Trump pulled out of a previous agreement during his first term in office.
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi “briefly spoke" face to face after the indirect talks, which lasted for more than two hours on the outskirts of the Omani capital Muscat.
After the meeting, the White House described the discussions as “very positive and constructive”, while conceding the issues concerned “are very complicated”.
“Special Envoy Witkoff’s direct communication today was a step forward in achieving a mutually beneficial outcome,” the White House said in a statement.
Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Telegram that both countries held the discussions “in a constructive atmosphere based on mutual respect, through the Foreign Minister of Oman”.
The second round of talks will take place next Saturday, according to the Iranian and US statements.
The stakes of the negotiations could not be higher. Mr Trump has repeatedly threatened to unleash air strikes on Iran if a deal is not reached. Iranian officials increasingly warn they could pursue nuclear arms with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels.
Regional countries have been closely following the talks, aware that their security, stability and economy could be directly affected.
Iraq welcomed the rapprochement and “positive indicators” from the first round of talks. It said “diplomacy and negotiated solutions are the best way to resolve disputes and enhance stability at the regional and international levels”.
The Foreign Ministry said it hoped the talks would “lead to positive results in the near future, contributing to de-escalating tensions and building trust between the two sides, in the interest of the peoples of the region and enhancing security and peace".
Saudi Arabia underlined its support for the rapprochement efforts and for “adopting dialogue as a means to resolve all regional and international disputes”.
It expressed its aspiration that the "outcomes of the Iranian-American talks would contribute to strengthening joint efforts to enhance security, stability and peace in the region and the world".
In the UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, held talks with his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Albusaidi to discuss the latest developments in the Iran-US talks, state news agency Wam reported.
During the call, Sheikh Abdullah expressed appreciation for mediation efforts undertaken by Oman. He expressed “confidence that Oman’s efforts will succeed in bridging the gap between Washington and Tehran, fostering constructive conditions to rebuild trust, and strengthening initiatives aimed at promoting global peace, security and stability”.
While flying to Miami for a UFC event, Mr Trump told reporters on Air Force One that the talks were “going OK”. “I can’t tell you because nothing matters until you get it done, so I don’t like talking about it but it’s going OK. The Iran situation is going pretty good, I think,” he said.
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
A Bad Moms Christmas
Dir: John Lucas and Scott Moore
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines
Two stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
Takreem Awards winners 2021
Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)
Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Raya Ani (Iraq)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)
Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)
Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)
Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)
Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)
Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Series info
Test series schedule 1st Test, Abu Dhabi: Sri Lanka won by 21 runs; 2nd Test, Dubai: Play starts at 2pm, Friday-Tuesday
ODI series schedule 1st ODI, Dubai: October 13; 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi: October 16; 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi: October 18; 4th ODI, Sharjah: October 20; 5th ODI, Sharjah: October 23
T20 series schedule 1st T20, Abu Dhabi: October 26; 2nd T20, Abu Dhabi: October 27; 3rd T20, Lahore: October 29
Tickets Available at www.q-tickets.com
Stat Fourteen Fourteen of the past 15 Test matches in the UAE have been decided on the final day. Both of the previous two Tests at Dubai International Stadium have been settled in the last session. Pakistan won with less than an hour to go against West Indies last year. Against England in 2015, there were just three balls left.
Key battle - Azhar Ali v Rangana Herath Herath may not quite be as flash as Muttiah Muralitharan, his former spin-twin who ended his career by taking his 800th wicket with his final delivery in Tests. He still has a decent sense of an ending, though. He won the Abu Dhabi match for his side with 11 wickets, the last of which was his 400th in Tests. It was not the first time he has owned Pakistan, either. A quarter of all his Test victims have been Pakistani. If Pakistan are going to avoid a first ever series defeat in the UAE, Azhar, their senior batsman, needs to stand up and show the way to blunt Herath.
