Iran moves away from uranium expansion and Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire talks reach critical stage - Trending

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Iran has taken steps to halt the expansion of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, according to a confidential report by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The offer to do so was conditional on western powers abandoning their push for a resolution against Iran over its lack of co-operation with the UN nuclear watchdog.

The agency maintains that Iran is the only non-nuclear weapon state to enrich uranium to 60 per cent, a short step from the 90 per cent needed for atomic weapons, but the regime has always denied planning to build a nuclear weapon.

Ceasefire negotiations aimed at ending the war between Hezbollah and Israel have entered a critical stage. sources close to the discussions told The National.

Sources said the discussions hinge on the interpretation of a clause on “self-defence”.

The ceasefire proposal suggests a 60-day truce during which Israel would withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon within seven days in a “phased manner”, coinciding with Beirut posting its troops to the border.

President Sheikh Mohamed on Tuesday held talks in Abu Dhabi with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, focussed on efforts to end conflict in the Middle East.

The two leaders emphasised the importance of achieving a ceasefire and de-escalation of violence, as Israeli attacks on Gaza and Lebanon persist.

They highlighted the value of preventing the fighting from spreading further to bolster regional security and stability, state news agency Wam reported.