Tehran was quiet and people apprehensive on Tuesday morning as news came through of a ceasefire with Israel and subsequent violations, residents of the Iranian capital said.
“People are being cautious. Everywhere was closed, except two or three cafes,” a resident told The National. “It got a bit busier around noon. People were uncertain. Then Israeli planes came and broke the sound barrier.”
At least 610 people have been killed and more than 4,700 wounded in Iran since the start of the war with Israel on June 13, Iran’s Health Ministry has said. In Israel, the death toll rose to at least 28 after an Iranian attack on the southern city of Beersheba hours before the ceasefire came into force.
The ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump hours after Iran retaliated for American strikes on three of its nuclear plants by launching missiles at Al Udeid US military base in Qatar on Monday evening.
In Iran, there was hope that the ceasefire would hold, but an awareness that it might not. In the hours after it was announced, both sides traded accusations of breaching the agreement.
“The ceasefire is very vulnerable, especially given Israel’s history in violating these kinds of agreements,” Seyed Emamian, assistant professor at Tehran Polytechnic University, told The National. In Lebanon, Israel has continued to strike targets that it says are linked to the Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire following a conflict last year.
There was a “sense of national pride” that Iran claimed the last strike before the ceasefire went into effect, added Mr Emamian, who is also co-founder of Iran’s Governance and Policy think tank.
Some Iranians also supported the attack on Al Udeid in Qatar, which was carried out by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Iranian state television highlighted how the ceasefire came shortly after the attack on Al Udeid, and broadcast pictures of people celebrating in the streets of Tehran. Revolutionary Guard commander Maj Gen Mohammad Pakpour said further US strikes on Iran would draw “more crushing responses”, in remarks carried by the IRGC-aligned Tasnim news agency.
At the same time, the strikes appeared to have been carefully choreographed, and allowed Tehran to show that it had responded to the US strikes on its territory while minimising the chances of further escalation.
They were communicated in advance, framed by officials as an attack on the US and not on Qatar, and did not lead to any casualties.
Some Iranians were less celebratory over an attack on the soil of a neighbouring country, at a time when Iran is trying to improve relations with its Gulf neighbours.
“Ordinary people” who do not support the Iranian government, “were shocked by last night's violent attack", the resident of Tehran said.
Physical and emotional toll
Iranians described the past 12 days as “extremely difficult”. As well as the destruction of civilian buildings as well as military installations, the emotional toll has been immense. Thousands of people have fled major cities such as Tehran and Isfahan to seek safety in smaller urban centres. Property has been damaged and destroyed, and businesses have been closed.
With Israeli attacks occurring daily and a lack of adequate shelters or a warning network, first responders used Instagram to share advice on on how to minimise exposure during an attack, and others shared tips for keeping children as calm as possible. Internet interruptions increased fear and anxiety as they prevented friends and family from communicating with each other.
“It was 12 really difficult days, especially for women, children, the elderly, workers and also for Afghan migrants,” another resident of Tehran told The National, referring to millions of Afghans who often work low-paid jobs in Iran. “I hope the ceasefire sticks and it results in peace.”
Businesses, already struggling with inflation above 30 per cent and power shortages, were badly affected by the conflict, the resident, a businessman, continued.
“Almost all this time, most of the private sector was closed. Only factories producing basic goods were open and the government also worked at 30 per cent capacity, and foreign and domestic trade practically stopped for a short time,” he said.
The ceasefire announcement had enabled many people to return to work, he said. “We also started working in our company with half the staff today.”
However, there are fears that a ceasefire would simply enable Israel to recover from the damage caused by the few Iranian missiles that made impact, and restock its air defence systems that intercepted most of them.
“There is a group of critics that think this interruption will benefit Israel more,” Mr Emamian said.
Uncertain future
Iranians are aware that the situation is not stable, and what happens next is uncertain.
Even some government officials are unsure of Iran's next steps, aware that the ceasefire with Israel is an unwritten agreement negotiated indirectly with a country that they do not recognise.
After the Israel launched its attacks on June 13, Iranian officials insisted they would not return to the nuclear negotiations with the US, which had been scheduled to reconvene for a sixth round just two days later.
Israel has opposed the talks aimed at containing Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of US sanctions, and there is no guarantee that it will not attack again if Washington and Tehran resume negotiations.
At the same time, Iran's leaders could face more domestic opposition to negotiations with a country that participated in direct bombings of its territory, and is seen as Israel’s main enabler in the 12-day war.
“It is really impossible to comment at the moment,” a senior government official told The National when asked whether Iran would return to talks with the US.
“We are facing the conditions of an unwritten and fragile ceasefire. So we have to wait and see, and if this situation stabilises, then we will move on to the next steps and reactions from the parties.”
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Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Adel Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Bandar Al Ahbabi, Mohammed Barghash, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Hassan Al Mahrami, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Yousef Jaber, Saeed Ahmed, Majed Sorour, Majed Hassan, Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Khalil Al Hammadi, Fabio De Lima, Khalfan Mubarak, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Ali Saleh, Caio Canedo, Muhammed Jumah, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Why the Tourist Club?
Originally, The Club (which many people chose to call the “British Club”) was the only place where one could use the beach with changing rooms and a shower, and get refreshments.
In the early 1970s, the Government of Abu Dhabi wanted to give more people a place to get together on the beach, with some facilities for children. The place chosen was where the annual boat race was held, which Sheikh Zayed always attended and which brought crowds of locals and expatriates to the stretch of beach to the left of Le Méridien and the Marina.
It started with a round two-storey building, erected in about two weeks by Orient Contracting for Sheikh Zayed to use at one these races. Soon many facilities were planned and built, and members were invited to join.
Why it was called “Nadi Al Siyahi” is beyond me. But it is likely that one wanted to convey the idea that this was open to all comers. Because there was no danger of encountering alcohol on the premises, unlike at The Club, it was a place in particular for the many Arab expatriate civil servants to join. Initially the fees were very low and membership was offered free to many people, too.
Eventually there was a skating rink, bowling and many other amusements.
Frauke Heard-Bey is a historian and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 1968.
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if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8
Power: 503hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 685Nm at 2,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Price: from Dh850,000
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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
Company%20profile
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The biog
Age: 32
Qualifications: Diploma in engineering from TSI Technical Institute, bachelor’s degree in accounting from Dubai’s Al Ghurair University, master’s degree in human resources from Abu Dhabi University, currently third years PHD in strategy of human resources.
Favourite mountain range: The Himalayas
Favourite experience: Two months trekking in Alaska
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Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV
Power: 360bhp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh282,870
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Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
