VIENNA // Iran came under renewed international pressure over its nuclear ambitions in two separate meetings yesterday, but with bleak prospects of a breakthrough.
The Islamic republic is preparing for presidential elections next month and any nuclear compromise could provide ammunition for political mudslinging and claims of a sell-out.
In Vienna, the United Nations' atomic agency, the IAEA, once again urged Iranian officials to grant access to sites, documents and scientists as part of an investigation into the "possible military dimensions" of Iran's nuclear programme.
In particular, the IAEA wants to inspect the Parchin military complex near Tehran, where it suspects that until 2003, and possibly beyond, Iran carried out experiments with explosives capable of triggering a nuclear weapon.
Yesterday's talks were the 10th round of negotiations between the two sides since early 2012. Tehran repeatedly has said it is willing to remove any "ambiguities" over its nuclear programme, which it insists is solely peaceful in nature.
But Iran maintains the IAEA's findings on Parchin are based on fabricated intelligence from hostile spy agencies such as the CIA and Mossad, and complains that it has not been allowed to see the dossier.
On a separate but related track, the EU's top diplomat, Catherine Ashton, was to hold talks in Istanbul last night with Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, a hardliner who now is also a heavyweight presidential candidate.
Ms Ashton represents the so-called P5+1 group of nations, consisting of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the United States, Britain, Russia, China and France - along with Germany.
Their focus is on persuading Iran to halt the most sensitive part of its nuclear programme: the enriching of uranium to 20 per cent purity.
The P5+1 has offered modest sanctions relief if Iran does so, but Tehran first wants major sanctions lifted and explicit western acceptance of its "right" to a domestic nuclear fuel cycle.
Last night's talks over dinner in Istanbul were unlikely to be either a breakthrough or a breakdown.
Western powers, however, will want substantial progress after the Iranian presidential elections when Mahmoud Ahmadinejad must step down after two consecutive four-year terms.
Scott Lucas, an Iran expert at Birmingham University in England, said: "On both tracks [with the IAEA and P5+1] this is a holding process until after the elections."
However, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Abbas Araqchi, yesterday insisted the presidential elections will have no bearing on Tehran's nuclear stance. Regardless of who is president, he said, the next government "will defend Iran's principal positions and the rights of the nation".
mtheodoulou@thenational.ae
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Uefa Nations League: How it works
The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.
The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.
Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.
The specs
Engine: 2.2-litre, turbodiesel
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Power: 160hp
Torque: 385Nm
Price: Dh116,900
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Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
The bio
Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales
Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow
Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades
Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus
Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga
Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
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Health Valley
Founded in 2002 and set up as a foundation in 2006, Health Valley has been an innovation in healthcare for more than 10 years in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
It serves as a place where companies, businesses, universities, healthcare providers and government agencies can collaborate, offering a platform where they can connect and work together on healthcare innovation.
Its partners work on technological innovation, new forms of diagnostics and other methods to make a difference in healthcare.
Its agency consists of eight people, four innovation managers and office managers, two communication advisers and one director. It gives innovation support to businesses and other parties in its network like a broker, connecting people with the right organisation to help them further
Other key dates
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Finals draw: December 2
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Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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 five pillars of Islam
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Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
Bareilly Ki Barfi
Directed by: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring: Kriti Sanon, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao
Three and a half stars
Maestro
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
