Iran will keep on talking to the UN's nuclear watchdog, the country's deputy foreign minister said after the first visit by the agency since Tehran suspended its co-operation.
On Monday, as President Masoud Pezeshkian faced criticism for pushing for negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), its deputy head arrived in Tehran for the first visit since Iran ended interaction last month.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said no inspections were planned. His deputy Kazem Gharibabadi told Irna news agency that IAEA deputy director general Massimo Aparo had left Iran after meetings with an Iranian delegation, including officials from the Foreign Ministry. “The method of interaction between the agency and Iran” was discussed during the meeting, he said.
Mr Gharibabadi added that they had decided to continue consultations, without providing details or a timescale. There was no statement from the IAEA after the meeting.
Iran condemned the agency for refusing to criticise the US and Israeli attacks on its nuclear centres during the 12-day war in June. Such operations are an offence under the Geneva Conventions.
Tehran also said the IAEA had provided Israel with the pretext to start a war after a report accused Tehran of hiding enriched uranium. After the war ended, a bill was passed in Iran's Parliament restricting Tehran's co-operation with the IAEA.
Mr Gharibabadi said the Iranian delegation had reiterated its criticism of the agency for its “failure to fulfil its responsibilities” during the war. He said they had called on the IAEA to take a different approach when it comes to Iran's nuclear capability.
The IAEA visit comes as Mr Pezeshkian defends his approach to diplomacy and negotiations after the war which derailed nuclear talks with the US. Iranian hardliners have opposed a return to talks with the US in the aftermath of American strikes on nuclear facilities.
Mr Pezeshkian has criticised domestic opponents of negotiations with the US, stressing that engaging in talks does not mean surrendering. He also challenged opponents to provide an alternative to negotiations.
The President also defended his actions, reiterating they were aligned with those of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “If you do not talk, what do you want to do? Do you want to fight?” he asked during a meeting with media executives, according to Ettelaat newspaper.
The remarks sparked reactions from hardliners, who said he made Tehran look weak on the international stage. Tasnim News Agency, affiliated to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said he was projecting a “desperate image” of Iran.
“When we speak publicly as President, it is not only us who hear it, the enemy hears it,” the article said. “If we portray ourselves as weak and desperate, as if we have no choice but to talk, and if we don't talk, the other side will come and beat us.”
“It is clear that when we say that we have no choice but to negotiate, the other side will be less likely to make concessions and will be more inclined to increase the tension,” hardline Farhikhtegan newspaper said.
Shahab Tabatabaei, a member of the Government Information Council, on Tuesday defended Mr Pezeshkian's approach, saying he is the “same person who was firm and steadfast during the 12-day war”, according to Irna.
Despite the debate over dialogue, officials have repeatedly stated there were no plans for negotiations with the US or European powers.
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
The%20Emperor%20and%20the%20Elephant
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESam%20Ottewill-Soulsby%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPrinceton%20University%20Press%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E392%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJuly%2011%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Golden Shoe top five (as of March 1):
Harry Kane, Tottenham, Premier League, 24 goals, 48 points
Edinson Cavani, PSG, Ligue 1, 24 goals, 48 points
Ciro Immobile, Lazio, Serie A, 23 goals, 46 points
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool, Premier League, 23 goals, 46 points
Lionel Messi, Barcelona, La Liga, 22 goals, 44 points
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Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESmartCrowd%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiddiq%20Farid%20and%20Musfique%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%2F%20PropTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24650%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%20institutional%20investors%20and%20notable%20angel%20investors%20(500%20MENA%2C%20Shurooq%2C%20Mada%2C%20Seedstar%2C%20Tricap)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
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Afghanistan fixtures
- v Australia, today
- v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
- v New Zealand, Saturday,
- v South Africa, June 15
- v England, June 18
- v India, June 22
- v Bangladesh, June 24
- v Pakistan, June 29
- v West Indies, July 4
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Evacuations to France hit by controversy
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- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
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Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
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Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
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AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
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Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception