Diplomats say talks on restoring the nuclear deal between world powers and Iran are entering their final stretch with Britain's top negotiator announcing on Friday: "We are close".
Stephanie Al-Qaq said she and her colleagues from France and Germany were returning to their capitals briefly to update political leaders but were "ready to return soon" to complete an agreement in Vienna.
The three European negotiators held another round of talks with Iranian officials on Friday after Ms Al-Qaq said diplomats "must now walk the last few metres" following 11 months of talks.
She said on Friday that a deal was “possible but not guaranteed” and called on negotiators to reach an agreement “before the diplomatic window closes”.
The EU’s top delegate in Vienna, Enrique Mora, said the talks between Iran, the UK, Germany, France, Russia, China, the EU and, indirectly, the US, were in their final stages but that “some relevant issues” were still open.
“Success is never guaranteed in such a complex negotiation,” he said late on Thursday. “Doing our best in the co-ordinator’s team. But we are definitely not there yet.”
Diplomats have described the talks as entering an endgame as they look to restore Iran’s compliance with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and bring the US back into the fold.
The deal offered sanctions relief to Iran in exchange for limits on its nuclear activities to prevent it from developing an atom bomb.
Former US president Donald Trump pulled out of the deal and reimposed sanctions in 2018. Since then, Iran has openly flouted those limits by enriching and stockpiling uranium.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said this week that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile had reached 15 times the limit set out under the JCPOA.
Washington has said that the US and Iran could reach a mutual understanding within days if Tehran’s negotiators “show seriousness”.
But western diplomats have signalled that the talks cannot drag on for ever because of the pace of Iran’s continuing nuclear activities.
The agency's director general, Rafael Grossi, will travel to Iran at the weekend after Tehran hinted that it wanted the UN agency to close investigations into undeclared nuclear sites.
Mr Grossi said this was a separate issue from the JCPOA talks and said he would not drop those investigations in order for the Vienna negotiators to reach a deal.
But he said he was optimistic that a solution could be found on this point without jeopardising the JCPOA.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
Credits
Produced by: Colour Yellow Productions and Eros Now
Director: Mudassar Aziz
Cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jassi Gill, Piyush Mishra, Diana Penty, Aparshakti Khurrana
Star rating: 2.5/5
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes. Portland is a 260 km drive from Seattle and Emirates offers codeshare flights to Portland with its partner Alaska Airlines.
The car
Hertz (www.hertz.ae) offers compact car rental from about $300 per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
Parks and accommodation
For information on Crater Lake National Park, visit www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm . Because of the altitude, large parts of the park are closed in winter due to snow. While the park’s summer season is May 22-October 31, typically, the full loop of the Rim Drive is only possible from late July until the end of October. Entry costs $25 per car for a day. For accommodation, see www.travelcraterlake.com. For information on Umpqua Hot Springs, see www.fs.usda.gov and https://soakoregon.com/umpqua-hot-springs/. For Bend, see https://www.visitbend.com/.
Eyasses squad
Charlie Preston (captain) – goal shooter/ goalkeeper (Dubai College)
Arushi Holt (vice-captain) – wing defence / centre (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Olivia Petricola (vice-captain) – centre / wing attack (Dubai English Speaking College)
Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)
Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)
Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)
Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)
Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)
Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)
Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
