An already troubled deal to defuse the Iranian nuclear crisis suffered a major setback yesterday when senior lawmakers rejected any possibility of Tehran sending abroad uranium for further enrichment.
Russia, which has close political and economic ties with Iran, warned Tehran that it risked further sanctions if it took a "less than constructive position".
The Iranian deputies' tough remarks are not the final word from Tehran, where the country's top security decision-making body was said to be still deliberating the United Nations-backed proposals. But their posture intensifies pressure on Iran's government to reject the five-week-old plan, which has provoked strident criticism from reformist and conservative rivals of the president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who initially appeared to welcome it.
Iran is still gripped by political instability ignited by his disputed re-election, and the country's divided leadership has sent conflicting signals over the nuclear proposals.
"This option of giving our enriched uranium gradually or in one go is over now," said Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the influential head of parliament's national security and foreign policy committee.
The UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which brokered the tentative accord between Iran and the US, Russia and France last month, said it was "still waiting for the formal response" from Tehran.
If the plan collapses Iran would face the threat of further sanctions while Israel, the region's sole, if undeclared, nuclear-armed power, would renew its sabre-rattling against the Islamic republic.
Although exasperated, the West is keeping the door ajar for a change of heart in Tehran. The US will be encouraged by Moscow's public pressure on Iran yesterday. "I do not want that all this ends up with the adopting of international sanctions because sanctions, as a rule, lead in a complex and dangerous direction," the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said. "But if there is no movement forward then no one is going to exclude such a scenario."
Tehran has relied on Russia, a nominal ally, along with China, to shield it from tougher sanctions at the UN Security Council over its nuclear programme.
The fuel exchange accord calls for Tehran to send abroad 1,200kg of its low-enriched uranium (LEU), about 75 per cent of its stockpile, in one batch by the end of the year. Russia would enrich it further before sending it to France for conversion into fuel plates that Iran needs for a medical reactor. The vital confidence-building measure would delay Iran's potential to build a nuclear bomb by a year, according to nuclear experts, buying time for a comprehensive settlement of the prolonged nuclear standoff.
But Mr Boroujerdi insisted: "Nothing will be given of the 1,200kg (of LEU) - to the other side in exchange for 20 per cent enriched fuel, not in one batch nor in several. It is out of the question."
Mohammad ElBaradei, the outgoing IAEA chief, spoke last week of the difficulties in brokering a deal because of the legacy of suspicion between Tehran and Washington. "There's total distrust on the part of Iran," he told The New York Times.
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final decision on the nuclear issue, voiced his suspicion of the US last week, dimming the prospects of a nuclear breakthrough. "Whenever the US offers a smile, it hides a dagger behind its back," he said.
On Friday, Manouchehr Mottaki, Iran's foreign minister, tentatively kept open the possibility of transferring Iranian uranium abroad. "We have three options - enrich the fuel [for the medical reactor in Tehran] ourselves, buy it directly or exchange uranium for fuel." Only the last option is acceptable to the West.
Mr Mottaki said Iran was preparing to supply the IAEA with further details of its response to the proposals and expects to have further negotiations. The US and France have said the time for talking is over.
Iranian requests to buy the fuel it needs for its medical reactor or to it enrich its own LEU to the higher 20 per cent level needed for the facility, negate the point of the plan. The aim is to remove the bulk of Iran's LEU stockpile and transform it into reactor fuel rods that cannot be used for weaponisation. Tehran insists its programme is peaceful.
Iran had been due to give its response to the proposed fuel transfer deal by October 23 but gave only an initial reply, indicating it would agree to export LEU only in stages.
Email:mtheodoulou@thenational.ae
Palestine and Israel - live updates
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
List of alleged parties
May 15 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at
least 17 staff members
May 20 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'bring your own booze'
party
Nov 27 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff
Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary
Gavin Williamson
Dec 13 2020: PM and Carrie throw a flat party
Dec 14 2020: London mayor candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative
Party headquarters
Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
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%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
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
Fighter profiles
Gabrieli Pessanha (Brazil)
Reigning Abu Dhabi World Pro champion in the 95kg division, virtually unbeatable in her weight class. Known for her pressure game but also dangerous with her back on the mat.
Nathiely de Jesus, 23, (Brazil)
Two-time World Pro champion renowned for her aggressive game. She is tall and most feared by her opponents for both her triangles and arm-bar attacks.
Thamara Ferreira, 24, (Brazil)
Since her brown belt days, Ferreira has been dominating the 70kg, in both the World Pro and the Grand Slams. With a very aggressive game.
Samantha Cook, 32, (Britain)
One of the biggest talents coming out of Europe in recent times. She is known for a highly technical game and bringing her A game to the table as always.
Kendall Reusing, 22, (USA)
Another young gun ready to explode in the big leagues. The Californian resident is a powerhouse in the -95kg division. Her duels with Pessanha have been highlights in the Grand Slams.
Martina Gramenius, 32, (Sweden)
Already a two-time Grand Slam champion in the current season. Gramenius won golds in the 70kg, in both in Moscow and Tokyo, to earn a spot in the inaugural Queen of Mats.
RESULTS
Welterweight
Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) beat Mostafa Radi (PAL)
(Unanimous points decision)
Catchweight 75kg
Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR) beat Leandro Martins (BRA)
(Second round knockout)
Flyweight (female)
Manon Fiorot (FRA) beat Corinne Laframboise (CAN)
(RSC in third round)
Featherweight
Bogdan Kirilenko (UZB) beat Ahmed Al Darmaki
(Disqualification)
Lightweight
Izzedine Al Derabani (JOR) beat Rey Nacionales (PHI)
(Unanimous points)
Featherweight
Yousef Al Housani (UAE) beat Mohamed Fargan (IND)
(TKO first round)
Catchweight 69kg
Jung Han-gook (KOR) beat Max Lima (BRA)
(First round submission by foot-lock)
Catchweight 71kg
Usman Nurmogamedov (RUS) beat Jerry Kvarnstrom (FIN)
(TKO round 1).
Featherweight title (5 rounds)
Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) v Alexandru Chitoran (ROU)
(TKO round 1).
Lightweight title (5 rounds)
Bruno Machado (BRA) beat Mike Santiago (USA)
(RSC round 2).
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre, six-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 395bhp
Torque: 420Nm
Price: from Dh321,200
On sale: now