Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday claimed the country has evidence of a "secret" Iranian nuclear weapons programme, as US President Donald Trump decides whether or not to pull out of the deal next month.
"After signing the nuclear deal in 2015, Iran intensified its efforts to hide its secret files," he said. "In 2017 Iran moved its nuclear weapons files to a highly secret location in Tehran."
Mr Netanyahu, standing in front of a large LED screen, said Israel, in an intelligence coup, had covertly obtained 55,000 records and 55,000 files stored on 183 CDs relating to an Iranian bid to secretly pursue nuclear weapons activity.
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Analysis: Netanyahu’s presentation plays into Trump’s hands to exit deal
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He said the cache represented "half a ton" of Iranian documents, which he called the "atomic archive", which showed the nuclear deal agreed between Tehran and world powers in 2015 was "based on lies".
He said the documents about what he said was named Iran's 'Project Amad' provided "new and conclusive proof" that the Iranian regime has been hiding a nuclear weapons development programme it had vowed to give up almost three years earlier.
"Iran lied, big time. After signing the nuclear deal, Iran intensified its efforts to conceal its nuclear weapons files", he said.
"Iran lied about never having a nuclear weapons program", he continued. "Even after the deal, Iran continued to preserve and expand its nuclear weapons knowhow for future use."
It came as US President Donald Trump mulls whether to pull out of the deal that he has long condemned as one of the worst agreements "in history".
Mr Netanyahu's speech came after a trip to Israel by newly-appointed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who held talks with the Israeli leader about the Iranian nuclear deal.
His presentation included videos that purported to show a nuclear weapons development facility.
Mr Netanyahu said the US government could vouch for its authenticity, and that the material would be shared with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the global nuclear watchdog, and other governments.
The surprise announcement took place at the Israeli military headquarters in Tel Aviv. Mr Netanyahu cancelled a parliamentary speech and held an emergency security cabinet meeting before he spoke.
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Read more:
Macron and Rouhani agree to try to preserve nuclear deal
Pompeo says Iran 'biggest sponsor of terrorism in the world'
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Israel and Iran are archenemies and Mr Netanyahu has been a longtime critic of the nuclear agreement signed in July 2015. That deal sought to rein in Tehran's uranium enrichment in return for the lifting of crippling international sanctions on the Iranian economy.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to rip up the agreement, saying that it handed back hundreds of millions to Iran in unfrozen assets that it could use to finance terrorism across the Middle East.
Iran is widely accused of sponsoring proxy groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthi rebels in Yemen and Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.
Bareilly Ki Barfi
Directed by: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring: Kriti Sanon, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao
Three and a half stars
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%3Cp%3ECreated%20by%3A%20Darren%20Star%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Lily%20Collins%2C%20Philippine%20Leroy-Beaulieu%2C%20Ashley%20Park%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%202.75%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Brief scores:
Day 1
Toss: South Africa, field first
Pakistan (1st innings) 177: Sarfraz 56, Masood 44; Olivier 4-48
South Africa (1st innings) 123-2: Markram 78; Masood 1-4
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh132,000 (Countryman)
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
RACECARD
6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 1 (PA) $50,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
6.35pm: Festival City Stakes – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
7.10pm: Dubai Racing Club Classic – Listed (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 2,410m
7.45pm: Jumeirah Classic Trial – Conditions (TB) $150,000 (T) 1,400m
8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (D) 1,600m
8.55pm: Cape Verdi – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,600m
9.30pm: Dubai Dash – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,000m
Company Profile
Founder: Omar Onsi
Launched: 2018
Employees: 35
Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)
Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
