US President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Friday that Washington will “turn to other options” if diplomacy fails with Iran.
Speaking from the White House after their first face-to-face meeting, the two leaders struck a friendly tone and highlighted their nation's common threats.
Regarding Iran, Mr Biden reiterated the US commitment to preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon and said other options were being considered if diplomatic talks in Vienna were to break down.
“We’re putting diplomacy first and we’ll see where that takes us. But if diplomacy fails, we’re ready to turn to other options,” Mr Biden said.
US officials said this month that Washington is looking at reinstating sanctions on Iran if no progress is achieved during the nuclear talks in Vienna.
The US and world powers have held six round of talks with Iran this year in Vienna in an attempt to reinforce the nuclear deal signed in 2015. Those talks have hit a snag following Iranian elections in June that saw the victory of conservative President Ebrahim Raisi.
The president reassured Mr Bennett the flow of US security aid to Israel would continue.
“I fully, fully, fully support replenishing Israel’s Iron Dome system,” he said.
Mr Bennett thanked Mr Biden for “fortifying Israel’s strategic [military] advantage in the region” and added that his country is “in the toughest neighbourhood in the world".
The Israeli prime minister called Iran the “world’s number one exporter of terror, instability and human rights violations".
“As we sit here right now, the Iranians are spinning their centrifuges,” he said, making a vow to stop it.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a report this month that Iran had accelerated its enrichment of uranium to near weapons-grade, a move raising tensions with the west as both sides seek to resume talks on reviving Tehran's nuclear deal.
The one-on-one meeting between Mr Bennett and Mr Biden lasted 50 minutes, double the time allocated for it on the schedule, and was followed by a larger meeting attended by Israeli officials including National Security Adviser Eyal Hulata and Israel’s ambassador to the US, Gilad Erdan, as well as US officials including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Director for the Middle East Brett McGurk.
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin met separately with Mr Bennett on Wednesday at the Pentagon.
“Iran must be held accountable for acts of aggression in the Middle East and in international waters,” Mr Austin said.
Mr Biden was the first world leader to call Mr Bennett after he took office. This trip to Washington is the prime minister’s first official foreign visit.
On Saturday, a top Iranian security official accused Mr Biden of illegally threatening Iran following his remarks on using "other options" if nuclear diplomacy fails.
"The emphasis on using 'other options' against (Iran) amounts to threatening another country illegally and establishes Iran's right to reciprocate ... against 'available options'," Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said on Twitter.
Separately, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Al Khamenei warned Mr Raisi's economic planners to assume that US sanctions would remain in place, calling Mr Biden a "predatory wolf".
Iran is also acting in defiance of some of the strongest supporters of a return to the nuclear deal, in Europe, which accused Iran on 19 August of continuing to illegally enrich uranium to levels where Tehran could be in reach of creating a nuclear weapon.
The EU issued a statement expressing "grave concern" over Iran taking "key steps in the development of a nuclear weapon and Iran has no credible civilian need for either measure," the bloc said.
"Our concerns are deepened by the fact that Iran has significantly limited IAEA access," the statement added.
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
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- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
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- Price: Not announced yet
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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
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
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5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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