In the six years and six months since the US pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, there has been concern about how to limit its nuclear programme. Tehran’s steady enrichment of its nuclear stockpile has added to instability in the Middle East and raised fears of conflict.
In 2015, as part of an agreement with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, and the EU, Tehran had agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for relief from international sanctions that were crippling the Iranian economy.
But in 2018, after the US withdrew from the deal, Iran increased its uranium enrichment, reaching more than 32 times the limit agreed upon in the JCPOA. In recent months, it further increased its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent, a relatively short distance from the 90 per cent needed to build a nuclear weapon.
On Tuesday, a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency revealed that Iran was halting the expansion of its stockpile, which would put on hold its march to become a nuclear power.
Tellingly, this development comes just two months before Mr Trump, who had pledged to resume his policy of "maximum pressure" against Tehran, is due to return to office. It also follows a recent visit to Tehran by IAEA director general Rafael Grossi, where he received assurance from President Masoud Pezeshkian that his government was willing to resolve doubts over its atomic programme.
Iran's decision is said to be conditional on western powers suspending their push for a resolution against it during an IAEA meeting this week over a lack of co-operation with the UN nuclear watchdog. All this points to a small but important victory for diplomatic efforts amid months-long wars in the Middle East that have threatened a direct conflict between Iran and the US.
This is particularly notable given the history of acrimony between Washington and Tehran, the effects of the war in Gaza and Lebanon on this already fractious dynamic and Iran continuing to sponsor militias in the Middle East.
Walking back from the brink would be a sensible policy course for Iran. The country’s image has been dented in recent months, not just from Israeli strikes on Iranian soil but also from the damage Israel has meted out to Iran's proxies in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.
Domestically, too, the Iranian government faces challenges, including discontent with the country’s economic isolation and a political mood shift towards greater diplomatic overtures to the West. The country's cumulative economic troubles are only set to sharpen given new EU and UK sanctions for its supply of drones and munitions towards Russia's war effort in Ukraine.
With Mr Trump's impending return to the White House – and the spectre of even harsher sanctions looming large – there may be an opportunity to return to stronger diplomatic efforts.
The incoming Trump administration should use this breakthrough to push for a new nuclear deal with Iran – one that broadens the JCPOA's narrow focus to include a way to deal with Iran’s regional activities and support for armed groups. That would be an achievement that both America and Iran could be proud of.
How to tell if your child is being bullied at school
Sudden change in behaviour or displays higher levels of stress or anxiety
Shows signs of depression or isolation
Ability to sleep well diminishes
Academic performance begins to deteriorate
Changes in eating habits
Struggles to concentrate
Refuses to go to school
Behaviour changes and is aggressive towards siblings
Begins to use language they do not normally use
More coverage from the Future Forum
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
Company%20profile
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
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Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
