The nuclear deal Tehran struck with world powers is "not negotiable", Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghassemi said in response to remarks by the French president.
In an interview published on Wednesday by UAE newspaper Al Ittihad, Emmanuel Macron called for vigilance regarding Tehran, its ballistic missile programme and regional activities.
"We have told French leaders on several occasions that the Iran nuclear deal is not negotiable and that no other issues can be included in the text" of the 2015 agreement, state news agency Irna on Saturday quoted Mr Ghassemi as saying.
France, he said, is "fully aware of our country's intangible position concerning the issue of Iran's defensive affairs which are not negotiable".
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[ Iran displays missile on anniversary of US embassy takeover ]
[ Putin visits Tehran for talks on Syria and nuclear deal ]
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In the interview with Al Ittihad, which was published during Mr Macron's 24-hour visit to Abu Dhabi, the French president said: "It is important to remain firm with Iran over its regional activities and its ballistic programme."
Mr Macron also said, however, that there was no immediate alternative to the nuclear deal, which curbs Iran's programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.
France has been trying to salvage the 2015 accord which Iran signed with six world powers — Britain, China, Germany, France, Russia and the United States — as the deal is traduced by US president Donald Trump.
On October 13, Mr Macron told Iranian president Hassan Rouhani that France was committed to the deal.
But the French president stressed it was also necessary to have a dialogue with Iran on other issues, including Tehran's ballistic missile programme and regional security, a proposal ruled out by Iran.
Mr Macron's visit last week to Abu Dhabi came amid renewed tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia following the resignation of Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri over the influence of Hizbollah — which is backed by Tehran — in his country. Mr Hariri, who has close ties with Saudi Arabia, announced his resignation from the kingdom.
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Read more:
[ Lebanon crisis: No sign of Hariri, Saudi citizen kidnapped ]
[ Lebanese president tells Saudi Arabia Hariri must return ]
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
Kill
Director: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat
Starring: Lakshya, Tanya Maniktala, Ashish Vidyarthi, Harsh Chhaya, Raghav Juyal
Rating: 4.5/5
Confirmed bouts (more to be added)
Cory Sandhagen v Umar Nurmagomedov
Nick Diaz v Vicente Luque
Michael Chiesa v Tony Ferguson
Deiveson Figueiredo v Marlon Vera
Mackenzie Dern v Loopy Godinez
Tickets for the August 3 Fight Night, held in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, went on sale earlier this month, through www.etihadarena.ae and www.ticketmaster.ae.
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.
Specs – Taycan 4S
Engine: Electric
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 571bhp
Torque: 650Nm
Price: Dh431,800
Specs – Panamera
Engine: 3-litre V6 with 100kW electric motor
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 455bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: from Dh431,800
Company profile
Name: Elggo
Started: August 2022
Founders: Luma Makari and Mirna Mneimneh
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Education technology / health technology
Size: Four employees
Investment stage: Pre-seed
The specs: Hyundai Ionic Hybrid
Price, base: Dh117,000 (estimate)
Engine: 1.6L four-cylinder, with 1.56kWh battery
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 105hp (engine), plus 43.5hp (battery)
Torque: 147Nm (engine), plus 170Nm (battery)
Fuel economy, combined: 3.4L / 100km
