Last Saturday, Iranian state media hailed the launch of a new missile production line. According to Iran’s defence minister Hossein Dehghan, the newly-produced Sayyad 3 missile can reach an altitude of 27 kilometres and travel up to 120km. This means that today Tehran has missiles that can be aimed at planes, cruise missiles, drones and across Iran’s borders. The development of these and similar missiles point to the Iranian regime adopting a policy of escalation. In just the last few weeks, Iran has fired several ballistic missiles into Syria, announced its intention to work more closely with North Korea and said it is working with Russia to develop armed drones.
Iran’s announcement came days after the United States introduced new sanctions targeting individuals and entities supporting Tehran’s "malign activities in the Middle East", including the continued development of its ballistic missile programme. From reports of orchestrating cyberattacks to its persistent militarisation of regional policies, Iran’s posturing is that of a nation preparing for a confrontation.
In a statement on July 18 unveiling a new round of sanctions against Tehran, the US state department said "the United States remains deeply concerned about Iran’s malign activities across the Middle East which undermine regional stability, security, and prosperity". That is a sentiment shared in many parts of the region.
In Lebanon, Iraq and Syria, Iran is developing a network of armed groups that pledge their allegiance to Tehran, even at the cost of undermining their own governments. The continued expansion of Iran’s military capabilities, bolstered by hundreds of millions of dollars of sanction relief, come at a time when it is testing regional powers and the American administration. Six months after the inauguration of Donald Trump, the Iranian regime is testing the boundaries of what will be acceptable in Washington.
However, Iran’s latest moves cannot simply be seen as part of an effort to "flex muscles" or send signals to Washington. Instead, they represent a clear policy of expanding military might that has increased since the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) two years ago.
Under the agreement, Iran’s nuclear policy is restrained and monitored for a decade. Thus far, Iran has spent the two years since the implementation of the nuclear deal developing its ballistic missile technology and indicating its intention to grow its military might. It is not hard to imagine what it plans to do in the next eight years. What is clear is that Tehran has no intention of curbing its ambitions. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, praised Iran’s missile attack inside Syrian territory as "an act of worship", urging the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp to "keep working on missiles as much as you can", during a meeting with its leaders, as reported by Tasnim news agency.
There are some who would argue that Iran is not alone in seeking to bolster its military capabilities in the Middle East. That is a fact. From the UAE to Saudi Arabia to Turkey, there are significant military powers in the region. However, there are three important differences that make Iran stand out as a threat to the region.
First, unlike its Arab neighbours, Iran has recently pursued a clandestine nuclear programme, which its missiles could be developed to deliver. It developed this programme and contravened international nuclear agreements.
Second, Iran is the only one among these countries that continues to have United Nations Security Council resolutions set against its missile programme. Developing and testing its ballistic missiles is in direct defiance of UN Security Council Resolution 2231.
Third, Iran is the only country in this region whose publicly stated position is to "export" its theocratic "revolution" since 1979. Under this banner, it has openly supported armed groups that work directly to undermine state structures. Iran supports armed non-state actors in various conflict zones in the region, leading to the weakening of state structures and heightened concerns about its role in the region.
Of course, Iran is not alone in undermining the region’s stability. ISIL and Al Qaeda pose significant threats, however they are not legitimate nation states. On the other hand, Israel too poses a significant threat to the region, not least to Palestine, which Iran has long used as an excuse to build up its forces without providing any real solutions to its people’s plight.
While Iranian leaders continue to use political slogans and rhetoric, their recent military build-up raises questions as to Tehran’s intentions in a region that cannot be subjected to yet more threats.
More on Quran memorisation:
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
RESULTS
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.
Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.
Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.
Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.
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%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Meydan Racecourse racecard:
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes Listed (PA) | Dh175,000 | 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden for 2-year-old fillies (TB) | Dh165,000 | 1,400m
7.40pm: The Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) | Dh265,000 | 1,600m
8.15pm: Maiden for 2-year-old colts (TB) | Dh165,000 | 1,600m
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) | Dh265,000 | 2,000m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh190,000 | 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh190,000 | 1,600m.
The biog
Favourite food: Fish and seafood
Favourite hobby: Socialising with friends
Favourite quote: You only get out what you put in!
Favourite country to visit: Italy
Favourite film: Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Family: We all have one!
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Scorebox
Dubai Sports City Eagles 7 Bahrain 88
Eagles
Try: Penalty
Bahrain
Tries: Gibson 2, Morete 2, Bishop 2, Bell 2, Behan, Fameitau, Sanson, Roberts, Bennett, Radley
Cons: Radley 4, Whittingham 5
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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
F1 line ups in 2018
Mercedes-GP Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas; Ferrari Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen; Red Bull Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen; Force India Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez; Renault Nico Hülkenberg and Carlos Sainz Jr; Williams Lance Stroll and Felipe Massa / Robert Kubica / Paul di Resta; McLaren Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne; Toro Rosso TBA; Haas F1 Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen; Sauber TBA
Pakistan T20 series squad
Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shahzad, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammed Hafeez, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammed Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Amir Yamin, Mohammed Amir (subject to fitness clearance), Rumman Raees, Usman Shinwari, Umar Amin
Day 2, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Pakistan’s effort in the field had hints of shambles about it. The wheels were officially off when Wahab Riaz lost his run up and aborted the delivery four times in a row. He re-measured his run, jogged in for two practice goes. Then, when he was finally ready to go, he bailed out again. It was a total cringefest.
Stat of the day – 139.5 Yasir Shah has bowled 139.5 overs in three innings so far in this Test series. Judged by his returns, the workload has not withered him. He has 14 wickets so far, and became history’s first spinner to take five-wickets in an innings in five consecutive Tests. Not bad for someone whose fitness was in question before the series.
The verdict Stranger things have happened, but it is going to take something extraordinary for Pakistan to keep their undefeated record in Test series in the UAE in tact from this position. At least Shan Masood and Sami Aslam have made a positive start to the salvage effort.
