Tehran will expel UN nuclear inspectors unless US sanctions are lifted by a February 21 deadline set by Iran's parliament, an Iranian MP said on Saturday.
Iran's parliament, which is dominated by hardliners, passed a law in November that obliges the government to halt inspections of its nuclear sites by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The law also requires the government to step up uranium enrichment beyond the limit set under the 2015 nuclear deal if sanctions are not eased.
Iran’s Guardian Council, a watchdog, approved the law on December 2. The government said it would implement it.
“According to the law, if the Americans do not lift financial, banking and oil sanctions by February 21, we will definitely expel the IAEA inspectors from the country and will definitely end the voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol,” MP Ahmad Amirabadi Farahani said.
The comments, referring to texts governing the IAEA’s mission and activities, were carried by several Iranian media outlets.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Iran had an obligation to allow the inspectors access.
“Once again the Iranian regime is using its nuclear programme to extort the international community and threaten regional security,” Mr Pompeo said.
Iran said last week it resumed 20 per cent uranium enrichment at an underground nuclear facility, breaching the nuclear pact with major powers and possibly complicating efforts by US president-elect Joe Biden to re-join the deal.
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Friday that Tehran was in no rush for the US to rejoin the 2015 nuclear deal, but that sanctions on the country must be lifted immediately.
"We are not insisting nor in a hurry for the US to return to the deal," Mr Khamenei said. "But what is logical is our demand, is the lifting of the sanctions. These brutal sanctions must be lifted immediately."
Tensions have grown between Tehran and Washington since 2018, when US President Donald Trump pulled his country from the deal between Iran and six world powers. It sought to limit Tehran’s nuclear programme and prevent it from developing atomic weapons.
Tehran often says it can quickly reverse its breaches if Washington’s sanctions are removed.
The US imposed new sanctions on Iran's steel sector last week, according to the Treasury Department. This will continue to increase pressure on Tehran in the final weeks of Mr Trump's presidency.
Washington blacklisted more than a dozen entities and one person, the Treasury said.
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
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Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
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