Former British prime minister Tony Blair says Iran faces a “fundamental choice” between a hard-line Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and sanctions relief.
Speaking in New York, at the Council on Foreign Relations, Mr Blair set out a plan for the international community’s future dealings with Iran, particularly after the killing of the IRGC commander Qassem Suleimani last month.
“The regime can't afford the status quo, they need sanctions relief,” he said.
“The IRGC is critical to this. If it continues as under Suleimani, it will make impossible any such discussion with Iran. The Iranian regime therefore has a fundamental choice."
His suggestions to ease regional tension with Iran come after a report by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, detailing the IRGC’s malign influence in the Middle East and across the world.
The report showed how the Guard's internal documents articulate a violent and extremist interpretation of Islam that portrays other religions, the West and regime opponents as mortal enemies of the religion.
It detailed how these manuals were being translated into English for the first time after they were widely disseminated online in Farsi.
Mr Blair said the Guard's influence in the region had been “balefully destructive” since 1979 and pointed to obvious interference in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, and extreme groups all over the region as part of the group’s “work to destabilise existing Arab states”.
He was critical of the Iranian nuclear deal in 2015, saying its hope “that relaxation of sanctions would result in changed behaviour in the region” was misplaced.
But Mr Blair also criticised the current US administration’s policy of maximum pressure against Tehran, saying “there remains on all sides a danger of miscalculation”.
He concluded that allowing Iran to make new nuclear commitments while curbing its ballistic missile programme and ending its destabilising activities in the region would give the regime “a way out”.
Britain and other European nations have placed themselves as a arbiters between the US and Iran amid increasingly rising tension.
But talks on Tuesday between the EU’s foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani failed to make progress, with Mr Rouhani threatening to block UN nuclear inspectors from his countries facilities.
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
THE BIO
Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude
Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally
Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
Reputation
Taylor Swift
(Big Machine Records)
The biog
Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer
Marital status: Single
Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran
Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food
Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish
Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com
FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday
Saint-Etienne v Montpellier (10.45pm)
Saturday
Monaco v Caen (7pm)
Amiens v Bordeaux (10pm)
Angers v Toulouse (10pm)
Metz v Dijon (10pm)
Nantes v Guingamp (10pm)
Rennes v Lille (10pm)
Sunday
Nice v Strasbourg (5pm)
Troyes v Lyon (7pm)
Marseille v Paris Saint-Germain (11pm)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
UNSC Elections 2022-23
Seats open:
- Two for Africa Group
- One for Asia-Pacific Group (traditionally Arab state or Tunisia)
- One for Latin America and Caribbean Group
- One for Eastern Europe Group
Countries so far running:
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
