Iran's enriched nuclear material is "under the rubble" of sites damaged in the 12-day war with Israel and authorities are assessing whether it can be reached, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.
In an interview with state TV on Thursday, he insisted that a new framework agreed to by Tehran and the UN's nuclear watchdog will only grant access to inspectors after approval by Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
"All of our material is ... under the rubble of the bombed facilities," he said. Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation was assessing the condition of the stockpile, he added.
Iran and the IAEA agreed to a new co-operation framework on Tuesday. Tehran suspended ties with the agency after the war with Israel in June, during which Iranian nuclear sites were hit by Israeli and US strikes.
Mr Araghchi said the agreement distinguished between nuclear sites attacked during the war and others that were unharmed, including the Bushehr nuclear power plant in the south of the country.
Access to undamaged sites will be "considered on a case by case basis by the Supreme National Security Council", but the situation for the targeted facilities was more "complicated", he said.
"For now, no action will be taken until Iran carries out the necessary measures related to environmental and safety concerns," he added, referring to the damaged sites.
"No inspections are currently on the agenda," he added.
On Wednesday, IAEA director general Rafael Grossi said the agreement includes "all facilities and installations in Iran" and "provides for a clear understanding of the procedures for inspections". He had said in late June that the location of Iran's enriched material was unknown after the war with Israel.
The agency said in a report that Iran held an estimated 440.9kg of uranium enriched to up to 60 per cent as of June 13, when the conflict began. Uranium enriched to up to 90 per cent can be used for weapons.
Western countries have accused Iran of seeking to develop a nuclear weapon – a charge Tehran has consistently denied. Instead, it maintains that its nuclear programme is peaceful.
Mr Araghchi also said a deal to exchange French prisoners in Iran for an Iranian woman held in France was nearly concluded. The proposed swap involves Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian woman arrested in France in February on charges of promoting terrorism through social media.
"We have carried out a great deal of activity and I can now say that we have reached the point where the exchange of the French prisoners in Iran is now approaching its final stages," Mr Araghchi said, without elaborating.
Iran has repeatedly called for the release of Ms Esfandiari, arguing that she has been unjustly detained.
France has said it will lodge a complaint against Tehran at the International Court of Justice over the detention of two French citizens – Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris. Ms Kohler, 40, and Mr Paris, in his 70s, were arrested in May 2022 and charged with spying for Israel. Their families have described their situation as increasingly desperate.
The pair are among about 20 Europeans currently detained in Iran, including a French-German teenager, Lennart Monterlos, who was aiming to cycle from Europe to Asia, but disappeared in Iran in June.
World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
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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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
More coverage from the Future Forum
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
SCHEDULE
Thursday, December 6
08.00-15.00 Technical scrutineering
15.00-17.00 Extra free practice
Friday, December 7
09.10-09.30 F4 free practice
09.40-10.00 F4 time trials
10.15-11.15 F1 free practice
14.00 F4 race 1
15.30 BRM F1 qualifying
Saturday, December 8
09.10-09.30 F4 free practice
09.40-10.00 F4 time trials
10.15-11.15 F1 free practice
14.00 F4 race 2
15.30 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi
