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Iran said on Saturday it had agreed to hand over documents on its nuclear programme to the UN’s atomic watchdog, in a step that could help clear the way for a broader deal between Tehran and world powers.
But Russia's involvement in the negotiations, at a time when it faces increasing isolation over the war in Ukraine threw up a potential stumbling block, as Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov demanded guarantees from the US that sanctions on Moscow would not impede trade with Iran.
"It would have all been fine, but that avalanche of aggressive sanctions that have erupted from the West - and which I understand has not yet stopped - demand additional understanding by lawyers above all," Mr Lavrov said.
Iranian nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami said he had struck an agreement with the visiting head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, to exchange documents with the UN body by mid-June.
The documents “relate to outstanding questions between Tehran and the agency”, said Mr Eslami, which notably include an IAEA investigation into uranium traces at several old but undeclared sites in Iran.
Mr Grossi told the same press conference a wider restoration of the Iran nuclear deal “may not be possible” unless Tehran’s bilateral issues with the IAEA are resolved.
The director general, who also held talks with Iran’s foreign minister on Saturday, described his understanding with Tehran as an agreement to "work together, to work very intensively" and take a “practical, pragmatic approach” to overcome their remaining differences.
Although these IAEA-Iran issues are separate from the talks in Vienna on restoring the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Iran has indicated it wants the first out of the way before it agrees to the second.
Mr Grossi said he will not drop the IAEA’s inquiries into undeclared nuclear sites to enable a JCPOA deal, but said on Saturday the two sets of discussions were “closely interrelated” and that “one cannot ignore the other”.
Mr Grossi said it was hard to imagine any agreement to revive the 2015 nuclear deal if the UN nuclear watchdog's efforts to resolve open issues in Iran by June fail.
"My impression is that it would be difficult to imagine you can have a cooperative relationship as if nothing had happened if the clarification of very important safeguards were to fail," Mr Grossi told a news conference.
Diplomats in Europe have described the JCPOA talks as entering an endgame after 11 months of negotiations between Iran, Britain, Germany, France, China, Russia and indirectly the United States.
However, Mr Lavrov said in his intervention on Saturday that "problems have appeared recently from the point of view of Russia's interests" following its invasion of Ukraine.
He demanded a written guarantee from top US officials that the wave of sanctions being imposed on Russia would "not in any way harm our right to free, fully-fledged trade and economic and investment cooperation and military-technical cooperation with Iran".
A US State Department spokesperson said that the Russian sanctions are not related to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, and should not have any impact on a potential revival of that agreement.
"The new Russia-related sanctions are unrelated to the JCPOA and should not have any impact on its potential implementation," the spokesperson said. "We continue to engage with Russia on a return to full implementation of the JCPOA. Russia shares a common interest in ensuring Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon. "
Britain’s top negotiator Stephanie Al-Qaq had said on Friday European officials were briefly returning home from Vienna to update their political bosses, but said: “We are close”.
But western diplomats have signalled the talks cannot drag on forever because of the pace of Iran’s continuing nuclear activities.
Under the 2015 deal, Iran agreed to limits on its nuclear activities in exchange for the US and other powers lifting sanctions. The agreement was meant to stop Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon, something it denies wanting to do.
But Iran has openly flouted these limits, for example by enriching and stockpiling uranium far above the thresholds set out in the deal, since former US president Donald Trump withdrew from the pact in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions.
The IAEA said this week Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile had reached 15 times the limit set out under the JCPOA.
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
The five pillars of Islam
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
info-box
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Happy Tenant
Started: January 2019
Co-founders: Joe Moufarrej and Umar Rana
Based: Dubai
Sector: Technology, real-estate
Initial investment: Dh2.5 million
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 4,000
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The biog
Name: Salem Alkarbi
Age: 32
Favourite Al Wasl player: Alexandre Oliveira
First started supporting Al Wasl: 7
Biggest rival: Al Nasr
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War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
The Details
Kabir Singh
Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series
Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa
Rating: 2.5/5
