Ian's ambassador to the IAEA, Kazem Gharibabadi says Tehran is open to renewed nuclear talks but insists on clear guarantees. AP
Ian's ambassador to the IAEA, Kazem Gharibabadi says Tehran is open to renewed nuclear talks but insists on clear guarantees. AP
Ian's ambassador to the IAEA, Kazem Gharibabadi says Tehran is open to renewed nuclear talks but insists on clear guarantees. AP
Ian's ambassador to the IAEA, Kazem Gharibabadi says Tehran is open to renewed nuclear talks but insists on clear guarantees. AP

Iran agrees to UN nuclear watchdog visit and signals conditional openness to US talks


Adla Massoud
  • English
  • Arabic

Iran has agreed to host a technical team from the UN's nuclear watchdog to discuss future co-operation, its deputy foreign minister said on Wednesday, while cautiously signalling openness to renewed talks with the US.

The development comes after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian this month ended co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and said it could only be restored if the agency addressed Iranian concerns over its perceived bias.

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister and lead nuclear negotiator, said the IAEA team would arrive in Tehran in two to three weeks to negotiate a “new modality” for continued engagement.

“The delegation will come to Iran to discuss the modality, not to go to the [nuclear] sites,” Mr Gharibabadi told reporters in New York. “Why are they insisting to send inspectors there if those facilities have been obliterated? There shouldn’t be any request to go there, unless they are seeking to see how effective the attacks were.”

Iran’s nuclear sites were severely damaged last month in US strikes.

Satellite images over Fordow, before and after the US struck the underground nuclear facility in June. Reuters
Satellite images over Fordow, before and after the US struck the underground nuclear facility in June. Reuters

The deputy foreign minister said Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation was still assessing the extent of the damage but offered no further details. The planned IAEA visit comes amid heightened mistrust between Tehran and the agency.

Despite expressing “dissatisfaction” with the IAEA’s recent conduct, Mr Gharibabadi described the coming visit as a goodwill gesture. “I hope that it would be welcomed and they would value such co-operation and good faith,” he said.

He described scheduled talks on Friday in Istanbul with the E3 – Britain, France, and Germany – as “very important”, noting that the European countries had approached Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in a bid to “manage the situation” and de-escalate tension.

The three European powers, along with China and Russia, remain signatories to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which offered Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme. The US withdrew from the deal in 2018 during President Donald Trump's first term.

“We have very constructive and good relations with China and Russia … we have always co-ordinated our positions when it comes to the nuclear issue, the negotiations, even the aggression and also now the snapback,” Mr Gharibabadi said.

The E3 have warned they may move to activate the “snapback” mechanism under the nuclear deal, which would reinstate all previous UN sanctions on Iran if negotiations with the US do not resume or fail to yield results by the end of August.

The snapback option would remain valid until October 18, when the Security Council resolution underpinning the deal is set to expire.

“On Friday, we will discuss on this issue with the Europeans to see that how we should prevent a snapback and how we should prevent more complicating the situation,” Mr Gharibabadi said.

“Possibly, they may come to the table ... with new ideas, we are open to that. We will listen to them to see what are their ideas in this regard.”

While not ruling out renewed negotiations with Washington, Mr Gharibabadi emphasised that any future talks must come with clear guarantees, including assurances that Iran would not be attacked militarily during the negotiation process and that any eventual agreement would be reciprocal.

“The calls for negotiations have never stopped, even one or two days after the Israeli aggression, and even after the armed attack of the United States on our peaceful nuclear facilities, we have received requests and calls for negotiations,” he said.

He added that even following the announcement of a “so-called” ceasefire, Tehran continues to receive overtures for renewed talks. “We have not rejected them, but there are some issues around the negotiations,” he said.

Mr Gharibabadi said a lack of consistency from Washington was a key obstacle in the five rounds of indirect talks already held with US officials.

“One of the problems we had was the continuous change in the American position," he said. "Unfortunately, we would come to a common understanding at the negotiating table, and then 24 hours later we would hear a completely different position, either through the media or directly from US officials. Iran is not against diplomacy and the resumption of negotiations."

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
How does ToTok work?

The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store

To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.

The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.

Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.

 

Meatless Days
Sara Suleri, with an introduction by Kamila Shamsie
​​​​​​​Penguin 

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo 

 Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua

 Based: Dubai, UAE

 Number of employees: 28

 Sector: Financial services

 Investment: $9.5m

 Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. 

 

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Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 290hp

Torque: 340Nm

Price: Dh155,800

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MATCH INFO

Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')

Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')

Jebel Ali Dragons 26 Bahrain 23

Dragons
Tries: Hayes, Richards, Cooper
Cons: Love
Pens: Love 3

Bahrain
Tries: Kenny, Crombie, Tantoh
Cons: Phillips
Pens: Phillips 2

The specs

Common to all models unless otherwise stated

Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi

0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)

Power: 276hp

Torque: 392Nm

Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD

Price: TBC

How do Sim card scams work?

Sim swap frauds are a form of identity theft.

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They use the victim's personal details - obtained through criminal methods - to convince such companies of their identity.

The criminal can then access any online service that requires security codes to be sent to a user's mobile phone, such as banking services.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

THE BIO

Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren

Favourite travel destination: Switzerland

Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers

Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum

PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP

Men’s:
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)

Women's:
Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Joelle King (NZE)
Camille Serme (FRA)
Nouran Gohar (EGY)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)

BAD%20BOYS%3A%20RIDE%20OR%20DIE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Adil%20El%20Arbi%20and%20Bilall%20Fallah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWill%20Smith%2C%20Martin%20Lawrence%2C%20Joe%20Pantoliano%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog

Hobbies: Salsa dancing “It's in my blood” and listening to music in different languages

Favourite place to travel to: “Thailand, as it's gorgeous, food is delicious, their massages are to die for!”  

Favourite food: “I'm a vegetarian, so I can't get enough of salad.”

Favourite film:  “I love watching documentaries, and am fascinated by nature, animals, human anatomy. I love watching to learn!”

Best spot in the UAE: “I fell in love with Fujairah and anywhere outside the big cities, where I can get some peace and get a break from the busy lifestyle”

First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus 

The%20specs%3A%20Panamera%20Turbo%20E-Hybrid
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E680hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E930Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEight-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh749%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20specs%3A%202024%20Panamera
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.9-litre%20twin-turbo%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E353hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E500Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEight-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh408%2C200%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ahmed Raza

UAE cricket captain

Age: 31

Born: Sharjah

Role: Left-arm spinner

One-day internationals: 31 matches, 35 wickets, average 31.4, economy rate 3.95

T20 internationals: 41 matches, 29 wickets, average 30.3, economy rate 6.28

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Points to remember
  • Debate the issue, don't attack the person
  • Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
  • Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
  • Listen actively without interrupting
  • Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
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

Updated: July 24, 2025, 11:18 AM