The US must agree to compensate Iran for losses incurred during the 12-day war in June, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said, in a sign that Tehran is hardening its stance over returning to nuclear negotiations with Washington.
The US "should explain why they attacked us in the middle of ... negotiations and they have to ensure that they are not going to repeat that", Mr Araghchi said in an interview with The Financial Times published on Thursday. "And they have to compensate [Iran for] the damage that they have done."
He did not give details of what financial compensation might involve.
The report said Mr Araghchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff exchanged messages during the conflict and in the weeks since. But the Iranian Foreign Minister said his country needed confidence-building measures to resume talks. Iran will not agree to "business as usual", he added.
“The road to negotiation is narrow but it’s not impossible. I need to convince my hierarchy that, if we go for negotiations, the other side is coming with real determination for a win-win deal,” he said.
The US joined Israel's war on Tehran last month by launching strikes on Iranian nuclear sites that Washington says were part of a programme aimed at developing nuclear weapons. Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is for purely civilian purposes.
Mr Araghchi acknowledged for the first time that a new uranium enrichment plant near Isfahan was among sites attacked in the conflict. Days before strikes began, Iran said the site would be activated in response to censure by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
“As far as I know, the preparations were made [for enrichment], but it was not active when it was attacked,” Mr Araghchi told The Financial Times.
After the war, Iran suspended co-operation with the IAEA, but Mr Araghchi said he expected to hold talks with the UN nuclear watchdog next month over a new “modality of co-operation”.
The war has given rise to greater resistance within Iran’s ruling establishment against negotiations with Washington, he said. It has also deepened mistrust of US President Donald Trump, he added.
“Anti-negotiation feelings are very high,” Mr Araghchi said. “People are telling me, ‘Don’t waste your time any more, don’t be cheated by them ... if they come to negotiations it’s only a cover-up for their other intentions.’”
Despite the war, Mr Araghchi said Tehran was still capable of enriching uranium. “Buildings can be rebuilt. Machines can be replaced, because the technology is there. We have plenty of scientists and technicians who used to work in our facilities,” he said. “But when and how we restart our enrichment depends on the circumstances.”
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Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
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- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
