As the protest movement in Iran stretches into its sixth week, its longevity and growing influence is testing US foreign policy.
On Monday, the US Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley doubled down on Washington's support for the women-led movement but cautioned that its “policy is not one of interfering to try to foment regime change”.
Speaking to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Washington-based think tank, Mr Malley outlined the US government’s approach to the protests, which he said was predicated on supporting “basic human rights”.
He said the US is working to coalesce international support for the movement as well as make sure the world sees Tehran's brutal response to the protests.
The protests come at a complex time in US-Iran ties: Washington has spent the past 19 months pushing for a renewed nuclear deal, but Tehran appears to have stopped co-operating and is continuing its march towards developing a nuclear weapon.
“It's not on our agenda because nothing has changed. We're not going to focus on something that is inert when other things are happening,” Mr Malley said of the deal.
More than 230 people have been killed since the protests started on September 16 following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old student, while in the custody of the country’s morality police.
Amini’s death sparked outrage and inspired women across the country to demonstrate in the streets, often chanting “jin, jiyan, azadi”, which translates to “woman, life, freedom”.
Iranian security forces have cracked down on demonstrators but have been unable to suppress the movement.
The administration of US President Joe Biden has announced sanctions against Iranian officials for the brutal treatment of demonstrators and has also hit the country itself with sanctions for supplying drones and technical assistance to Russia to support its invasion of Ukraine.
The US also ordered military strikes in August against Iranian-backed militias in Syria in response to attacks on American forces in the region.
“We’re taking the action that we think is consistent and necessary to promote our values and our national security interests,” Mr Malley said.
Iran has a long history of protests and Washington has been reluctant to throw its support behind any popular uprisings after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, during which the US-supported shah was overthrown.
The US was slow to react to major protests in 2009 and again 2019, but the Biden administration has been vocal in its support of this movement.
“The United States stands with Iranian women and all the citizens of Iran who are inspiring the world with their bravery,” Mr Biden said of the protesters.
Mr Malley was adamant that while the US supported the protests, it was not up to Washington to decide what happens in Iran.
“The future of this popular movement will be decided by the Iranian people, not by the United States, not by an outsider,” he said.
“It will be decided in Iran by Iranians.”
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Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster with a decades-long career in TV. He has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others. Karam is also the founder of Takreem.
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The permutations for UAE going to the 2018 World Cup finals
To qualify automatically
UAE must beat Iraq.
Australia must lose in Japan and at home to Thailand, with their losing margins and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
Saudi Arabia must lose to Japan, with their losing margin and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
To finish third and go into a play-off with the other third-placed AFC side for a chance to reach the inter-confederation play-off match
UAE must beat Iraq.
Saudi Arabia must lose to Japan, with their losing margin and the UAE's winning margin over Iraq being enough to overturn a goal difference gap of eight.
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
UAE%20v%20West%20Indies
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Match info:
Wolves 1
Boly (57')
Manchester City 1
Laporte (69')
The%C2%A0specs%20
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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.”
Neymar's bio
Total club appearances 411
Total goals scored 241
Appearances for Barca 186
Goals scored for Barca 105
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company profile
Name: Oulo.com
Founder: Kamal Nazha
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2020
Number of employees: 5
Sector: Technology
Funding: $450,000
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.
BMW M5 specs
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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The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
Match info:
Leicester City 1
Ghezzal (63')
Liverpool 2
Mane (10'), Firmino (45')
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
