Iran has recalled its ambassadors in Germany, France and Britain for consultations over the reimposition of UN sanctions against Tehran, which came into effect on Saturday night.
The move to recall the diplomats was made “in response to the irresponsible action of the three European countries in misusing the snapback mechanism”, state-run Mehr news agency reported.
The snapback is a process whereby sanctions are being reinstated at the behest of the three European powers, also known as the E3, who say Tehran has failed to fulfil its obligations under a 2015 treaty to regulate its nuclear energy programme.
The measures will freeze Iranian assets abroad, ban arms sales to Tehran and curb development of its ballistic missile programme, further straining an economy already weakened by years of restrictions.
Britain, France and Germany triggered the 30-day snapback mechanism last month. The E3 say Iran is enriching uranium well beyond levels necessary for civilian use. Western powers have long suspected Tehran is seeking to build a nuclear bomb, a claim denied by Iran.
On Friday, the UN Security Council rejected a last-minute effort backed by Russia and China to delay the reimposition of the sanctions for six months.
The vote on a draft resolution failed to secure the minimum nine votes needed in the 15-member council. Nine members voted against, four in favour, while two abstained. The draft urged all parties to “immediately resume negotiations”.
European nations have said Iran must comply with a series of conditions. These include resumption of direct negotiations with the US over its nuclear programme and allowing UN inspectors to access nuclear sites. Tehran must also account for more than 400kg of highly enriched uranium that the UN's nuclear watchdog says it possesses.
Conflict over Iran's nuclear programme led to a 12-day war with Israel in June, which culminated in a US bombing of Iranian nuclear plants and an Iranian strike against a US airbase in Qatar.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the E3’s efforts to revive the sanctions are “null and void” and carry no legal force, Mehr reported.
He told the Security Council that the US and its European allies bore full responsibility for any fallout from their decision to restore the sanctions.
“The developments we have witnessed set a dangerous precedent,” he said. “If agreements can be broken at will, no nation can trust international commitments.
“If unlawful measures are enforced by power instead of law, the Security Council risks losing credibility and authority.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the US and Israel were seeking to use the pressure at the Security Council to topple the Islamic republic's government.
“If the goal had been to resolve concerns on the nuclear programme, we could easily do that,” Mr Pezeshkian told reporters in New York. He said Iran will never pursue nuclear weapons.
Mr Pezeshkian said US demands that Tehran hand over its enriched uranium were "unacceptable".
He said Washington had asked Tehran to relinquish all of its enriched uranium in exchange for a three-month reprieve from sanctions.
The Iranian leader previously said France had made a similar proposal but offering only a one-month delay.
“Why would we put ourselves in such a trap and have a noose around our neck each month?” he said.
He also accused the US of pressing the Europeans not to reach a compromise.
Steve Witkoff, special envoy for US President Donald Trump, has said Washington does not want to hurt Iran and is open to further talks.
But Mr Pezeshkian said Mr Witkoff lacked seriousness, adding he had backtracked on agreements during earlier discussions.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Persuasion
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
ZIMBABWE V UAE, ODI SERIES
All matches at the Harare Sports Club:
1st ODI, Wednesday - Zimbabwe won by 7 wickets
2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
4th ODI, Tuesday, April 16
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
