Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) vessels near US Military ships at close range. EPA
Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) vessels near US Military ships at close range. EPA
The US Navy accuses Iran of conducting 'unsafe' actions close to US warships. EPA
Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) vessels near US Military ships at close range. EPA
The US Navy accuses Iran of conducting 'unsafe' actions close to US warships. EPA
A handout photo made available by the US Naval Forces Central Command / US 5th Fleet via the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) shows Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) vessels near US Military ships. EPA
The US Navy accuses Iran of conducting 'unsafe' actions close to US warships. EPA
Iran’s unacceptable behaviour is disrupting the Middle East and Tehran will be held to account if it continues along the path of aggression, the region’s most senior British general has said.
The country’s military activities have led to a “destabilisation” of the Middle East and Iran faces further international isolation if it continues, said Lt Gen Sir John Lorimer.
"We have long said that that behaviour is unacceptable and must not be repeated," he told The National in an extensive interview. "From our perspective Iran faces a choice – if you continue in this way or increase or ratchet up this approach you will face growing isolation from the international community."
He added: “The Gulf is critical and our strategic aim remains to help de-escalate tensions. But we have to still hold Iran to account in terms of its destabilising regional activity.”
As the most senior British military commander for the region, Lt Gen Lorimer’s warning will carry weight in the ongoing struggle with Tehran.
As a major trading hub the Gulf’s security is critical to the global economy, he said, particularly in the post-pandemic recovery. But Iran’s actions of firing rockets at American bases and fomenting militias in Iraq as well as attacking Saudi Arabia last September risks economic hardship.
“We’ve been pretty clear for some time over Iran’s destabilising activity in the region, including its political, financial and military support to a number of militant and proscribed groups including militias in Iraq. We haven’t been quiet about it.”
Iran’s continuing nuclear weapons programme as well as its funding of militant groups such as Hezbollah has led to strict economic sanctions that have harmed its economy alongside the recent slide in oil prices and impact of Covid-19.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, right, and the head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi inspect the nuclear technology on the occasion of Iran National Nuclear Technology Day in Tehran in 2019. EPA
IR-8 centrifuges at Natanz nuclear power plant, some 300 kilometres south of capital Tehran. AFP
The Iranian nuclear power plant in Bushehr in 2010. EPA
Salehi speaks with media while visiting Natanz enrichment facility, in central Iran in 2019. Atomic Energy Organization of Iran via AP
The gate of Natanz nuclear power plant in Natanz , Isfahan province, in 2019. EPA
Inside of the Iran's Fordow nuclear facility, in Fordow, Qom province in 2019. EPA
Technicians work at the Arak heavy water reactor's secondary circuit, as officials and media visit the site, near Arak, Iran in 2019. Atomic Energy Organization of Iran via AP
Members of the media and officials tour the water nuclear reactor at Arak in 2019. WANA via Reuters
Concrete is poured for the base of the second nuclear power reactor at Bushehr plant in 2019. Atomic Energy Organization of Iran via AP
If it continued along a warlike path “it would end up isolated from the rest of the world”, Lt Gen Lorimer said, and added: “Or it can come in and find a solution to the problem, it can work with us and others to find a solution to de-escalate the problem. Is it easy? No. But it’s a really important issue for the region and more widely.”
'Diplomatic door is open'
A worker of the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA waves an Iranian flag as the Iranian-flagged oil tanker Fortune docks at the El Palito refinery in Puerto Cabello, in the northern state of Carabobo, Venezuela. AFP
Workers on the 'Fortune' the Iranian ship with gasoline in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. EPA
Iranian-flagged oil tanker Fortune docked at the El Palito refinery after its arrival to Puerto Cabello, in the northern state of Carabobo, Venezuela. AFP
A worker of the state-oil company Pdvsa holds an Iranian flag during the arrival of the Iranian tanker ship "Fortune" at El Palito refinery in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. Reuters
Crew of the Iranian tanker ship "Fortune" are seen at the deck during the arrival at El Palito refinery in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. Reuters
Workers of the state-oil company Pdvsa holding Iranian and Venezuelan flags greet during the arrival of the Iranian tanker ship "Fortune" at El Palito refinery in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. Reuters
A Venezuelan oil worker holding a small Iranian flag attends a ceremony for the arrival of Iranian oil tanker Fortune at the El Palito refinery near Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. AP Photo
The Venezuelan industry minister Tareck El Aissami (C), speaks next to Venezuela's defence Minister Vladimir Padrino(R) after the Iranian oil tanker Fortune docked at the El Palito refinery in Puerto Cabello, in the northern state of Carabobo, Venezuela. AFP
A worker of the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA looks at the oil tanker Fortune as it docks at the El Palito refinery in Puerto Cabello in the northern state of Carabobo, Venezuela. AFP
Workers with the flags of Venezuela and Iran waiting for Venezuela Minister of Petroleum Tareck el Aissami in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela during his visit to the 'Fortune' Iranian ship. EPA
Venezuela Minister of Petroleum Tareck el Aissami in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela during his visit to the 'Fortune' Iranian ship. EPA
Regional concerns about Iran’s military activity have grown as the country stockpiles precision-guided missiles that can hit targets such as oil installations and airbases with an accuracy of within 30 metres.
Lt Gen Lorimer said: “If Iran wants to be isolated, to continue on the trajectory it is on, or comes in and realises that if it wants to be part of international community, it needs to stop what it’s doing and negotiate with us for a peaceful way forward.”
The officer, a fluent Arabic speaker who commanded a British brigade in Iraq in 2005, said the “diplomatic door is open” for Iran to negotiate a peaceful solution.
“I know that is just words and it’s really tough and made tougher by the virus. But we hope we will get some kind of negotiation that will ensure the region is stabilised and leads to some kind of peaceful negotiation.”
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
What is tokenisation?
Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets.
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The five stages of early child’s play
From Dubai-based clinical psychologist Daniella Salazar:
1. Solitary Play: This is where Infants and toddlers start to play on their own without seeming to notice the people around them. This is the beginning of play.
2. Onlooker play: This occurs where the toddler enjoys watching other people play. There doesn’t necessarily need to be any effort to begin play. They are learning how to imitate behaviours from others. This type of play may also appear in children who are more shy and introverted.
3. Parallel Play: This generally starts when children begin playing side-by-side without any interaction. Even though they aren’t physically interacting they are paying attention to each other. This is the beginning of the desire to be with other children.
4. Associative Play: At around age four or five, children become more interested in each other than in toys and begin to interact more. In this stage children start asking questions and talking about the different activities they are engaging in. They realise they have similar goals in play such as building a tower or playing with cars.
5. Social Play: In this stage children are starting to socialise more. They begin to share ideas and follow certain rules in a game. They slowly learn the definition of teamwork. They get to engage in basic social skills and interests begin to lead social interactions.
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
