US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Iran's moves to increase its level of uranium enrichment and stop inspections by a UN watchdog were an attempt at "nuclear extortion" that the world should reject.
Iran's hardliner-dominated parliament approved a bill on December 1 that would require the government to boost its uranium enrichment to 20 per cent if European signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal do not provide relief from oil and banking sanctions imposed by the United States.
It also called for an end to nuclear inspections of its nuclear facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The bill was endorsed by Iran's Guardian Council but has yet to be approved by President Hassan Rouhani, who suggested the US could change its policy when president-elect Joe Biden assumes office in January.
"The United States condemns the law recently approved by Iran's Majlis and Guardian Council, which is nothing more than the regime's latest ploy to use its nuclear programme to try to intimidate the international community," Mr Pompeo said on Friday.
The caps on enrichment and IAEA inspections are part of the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, aimed at preventing Iran from developing atomic weapons.
US President Donald Trump pulled out of the agreement in 2018, citing Iran's continued development of ballistic missiles and destabilising activities in the Middle East, and imposed sanctions that have throttled the Iranian economy and led to a series of escalations by both sides.
Mr Pompeo pointed out that Iran was already exceeding the limits on enrichment levels as well as expanding its uranium stockpile and researching, producing, and installing advanced centrifuges, and had "for nearly two years stonewalled IAEA efforts to resolve questions about possible undeclared nuclear materials and activities".
"A reduction in Iran’s co-operation with the IAEA or enrichment to the 20 per cent level would constitute a serious escalation that moves Iran closer to the ability to obtain a nuclear weapon," he said.
"The international community must not reward the regime’s dangerous gamesmanship with economic appeasement.
"If the Iranian regime seeks sanctions relief and economic opportunity, then it must first demonstrate that it is serious about fundamentally changing its behaviour by ceasing its nuclear extortion and negotiating a comprehensive deal that addresses its development of ballistic missiles and its support for terrorism, unjust detention, and other destabilising activities in the region."
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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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
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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EPL's youngest
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15 years, 181 days old
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15 years, 235 days old
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15 years, 271 days old
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16 years, 30 days old
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16 years, 68 days old
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The specs
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
