US President Donald Trump spoke about Iran and the Iran nuclear deal at White House on October 13, 2017 and said he was not inclined to certify that Iran had complied with it. By January 15, 2018, he must decide whether to sign the waiver freezing US sanction on Iran. Kevin Lamarque / Reuters
US President Donald Trump spoke about Iran and the Iran nuclear deal at White House on October 13, 2017 and said he was not inclined to certify that Iran had complied with it. By January 15, 2018, he must decide whether to sign the waiver freezing US sanction on Iran. Kevin Lamarque / Reuters
US President Donald Trump spoke about Iran and the Iran nuclear deal at White House on October 13, 2017 and said he was not inclined to certify that Iran had complied with it. By January 15, 2018, he must decide whether to sign the waiver freezing US sanction on Iran. Kevin Lamarque / Reuters
US President Donald Trump spoke about Iran and the Iran nuclear deal at White House on October 13, 2017 and said he was not inclined to certify that Iran had complied with it. By January 15, 2018, he

Trump administration considering new Iran sanctions in response to protests


Joyce Karam
  • English
  • Arabic

US president Donald Trump has made clear his support for the Iran protests, sending out seven tweets in six days and seizing the opportunity to highlight his longstanding criticism against the Tehran regime.

But beyond the Twitter campaign and public outcry in Washington, the US administration has begun examining how best to support the protesters. In an interview with Voice of America, the deputy assistant secretary of state for Iraq and Iran, Andrew Peek, said the White House is exploring how to respond to the crackdown on demonstrators and consulting at a high level with international partners on how to coordinate that response.

“From our part, we will hold accountable those people or entities who are committing violence, from the top to the bottom, against the protesters," Mr Peek said. "That involves examining actions we can take against those individuals, like sanctions and other means.”

Michael Singh, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy who studies Iran, told The National that the protests only underscore Mr Trump’s criticism of the Iranian regime, which he on Tuesday described as “brutal and corrupt."

That Mr Trump should side with the protesters against a regime he has long criticised is no surprise, Mr Singh said. But his administration also wants to ensure it responds in a very different way from the cautious approach taken by Mr Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, in 2009 when the demonstrators were again out on the streets of Tehran.

However,  Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, says there are important distinctions to be drawn between the two waves of protests.

“Unlike the 2009 uprising these protests have no discernible leader, organization, and objective; the  slogans range from economic demands to regime change. The protests are more scattered... and the government's initial response has been less violent than in 2009,” he told The National.  But, he warned, "The longer they persist, the likelier that the security forces will bring down their iron fist.”

If that were to happen, Washington could respond with stronger sanctions targeting either individuals involved in the crackdown, or companies inside and outside Iran involved in supplying tools and technology for the clamp down.

“There is no doubt that whatever plans the administration and Congress had for Iran, they are being reconsidered in light of these events,” Mr Singh said.

_______________

Iran protests

A voice from Tehran: Iran's leaderless protests hindered as communication links are shut down

_______________

The protests come as another decision looms for the Trump administration on January 15 on the fate of the Iran nuclear deal. In October, President Trump gave Congress and America’s European partners three months in which to strengthen provisions in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), before deciding whether he would sign the waiver that would continue the freeze on US sanctions.

If those provisions are not in place, the sanctions could be reactivated and eventually the deal - which is meant to limit Iran's nuclear productivity - could be ditched altogether.

And if the crackdown on the protests turns more violent, President Trump could use that to justify either imposing more sanctions or walking away from the deal, said Mr Vaez.

Yet even as Mr Trump continues to lambast the JCPOA, and to fume about how “all the money that President Obama so foolishly gave them [the Iranian regime] went into terrorism,"  experts such as Mark Dubowitz, the chief executive at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, believe the president will keep the nuclear deal separate from his views about the protests.

“The protests are unlikely to change the president’s waiver decision. That decision is driven by his assessment of whether or not Congress and the Europeans have responded to his October 13 speech in which he called for a bipartisan and transatlantic fix to the nuclear deal or he would nix it,” Mr Dubowitz told The National. "Instead I could see the protests becoming a possible incentive for all sides [the EU, Congress, the White House] to come together and find a legislative solution.”

There could also be a danger in shifting focus away from the demonstrations to the JCPOA or sanctions, said Mr Singh. "The regime [in Iran]may garner more international sympathy,”

Mr Dubowitz agrees that staying fixed on the protests was the right policy for the Trump team.  “It reinforces the administration’s view that the Iranian regime is an odious, expansionist and destructive force in the Middle East,” he said.

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School counsellors on mental well-being

Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.

Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.

Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.

“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.

“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.

“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.

“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”

Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.

The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.

At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.

“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.

“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.

"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”

Emergency phone numbers in the UAE

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

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United States

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China

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More from Armen Sarkissian
Tips on buying property during a pandemic

Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.

While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.

While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar. 

Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.

Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.

Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities. 

Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong. 

Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.

Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat