Iran went into a new round of Vienna talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal asking for a mechanism to deliver the removal of US sanctions as European officials said they hoped for an agreement that would rein in Tehran's breakout nuclear activities.
Iran’s refusal to halt its nuclear programme is “undermining international security”, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday as the talks resumed.
There has been growing concern that with Iran potentially a month away from developing enough uranium to make a bomb, a failure in the week-long talks in the Austrian capital would have severe security implications for the Middle East.
Negotiators met across the table in Vienna for the first time in five months after talks were delayed by elections in Iran and the appointment of hardline President Ebrahim Raisi.
A spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry said that its delegation in Vienna had “a firm determination to reach an agreement and is looking forward to fruitful talks".
The US has agreed to lift the hard “maximum pressure” sanctions imposed by Donald Trump after he withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018, but Iran – which has declined to meet directly with the US negotiating team – has refused to co-operate unless sanctions are lifted without conditions.
Furthermore, it wants an apology for Mr Trump’s actions and guarantees that would make any future deal watertight against another US withdrawal.
Asked by The National what the British government hoped for from Vienna, Mr Johnson’s spokesman gave a warning about the increased threat.
“We recognise the challenges that Iran's nuclear programme has never been more advanced than today and that's undermining international security,” he said.
He called for a “swift conclusion” to negotiations with a “fair and comprehensive” deal on the table if Iran returned to “full compliance with its commitments”.
“If a deal is not swiftly concluded and Iran continues its nuclear escalation then they will be responsible for a missed opportunity and the collapse of the deal,” he said.
Russia’s envoy to the talks said Moscow was “cautiously optimistic”, despite being aware of the problems on the table.
Mikhail Ulyanov said “we have no reasonable and acceptable alternative to a successful conclusion of the talks” on the nuclear deal.
UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss reminded Tehran that “all options are on the table” if the negotiations fail to strike a deal and stop it from building a nuclear bomb.
Ms Truss spoke as the pressure for an agreement intensified as Iran’s negotiators met with Western major powers, along with Russia and China, in an attempt to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
While intelligence estimates suggest Iran will be able to make a viable nuclear warhead with a missile delivery system possible in two years, if it enriches uranium to 90 per cent purity, the level required for bomb-making, a military response would be highly probable.
Israel, which has already conducted sabotage missions to delay this outcome, will almost certainly conduct air strikes using deep penetration weapons.
While the US would assist and potentially join Israeli attacks, Britain also appeared supportive following a meeting between Ms Truss and Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on Monday.
The pair announced an increased military collaboration, signing a memorandum of understanding in London on cybersecurity, defence and trade. Ms Truss said Britain would “work flat out to prevent the Iranian regime from gaining nuclear weapons”.
“We are absolutely determined to prevent Iran from securing a nuclear weapon and all options are on the table,” she said. “We want those talks to work but if they don’t work, all options are on the table.”
Mr Lapid, who will become Israel’s prime minister in two years, was even more direct, stating that if sanctions were lifted Iran would use the billions in extra income to further develop its bomb programme.
“The Iranians are coming to these talks for only one reason: to get sanctions lifted,” he said. “They need money for Hezbollah, for the Revolutionary Guards, for their global terrorist network and for the continued race towards nuclear weapons.”
He said a nuclear-armed Iran would push the Middle East into a nuclear arms race, putting the bomb in the hands of “religious fanatics who are engaged in terrorism as a way of life”.
With US sanctions severely harming its economy, Iran has claimed it is keen to strike a deal.
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
IPL 2018 FINAL
Sunrisers Hyderabad 178-6 (20 ovs)
Chennai Super Kings 181-2 (18.3 ovs)
Chennai win by eight wickets
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)
Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),
Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),
Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Crotone (3.30pm)
Benevento v Napoli (6pm)
Parma v Spezia (6pm)
Fiorentina v Udinese (9pm)
Juventus v Hellas Verona (11.45pm)
Monday AC Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
UAE Tour 2020
Stage 1: The Pointe Palm Jumeirah - Dubai Silicon Oasis, 148km
Stage 2: Hatta - Hatta Dam, 168km
Stage 3: Al Qudra Cycle Track - Jebel Hafeet, 184km
Stage 4: Zabeel Park - Dubai City Walk, 173km
Stage 5: Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet, 162km
Stage 6: Al Ruwais - Al Mirfa, 158km
Stage 7: Al Maryah Island - Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 127km
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Naga
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From Conquest to Deportation
Jeronim Perovic, Hurst
More on Quran memorisation:
Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Two out of five stars
Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
Quercus
The Laughing Apple
Yusuf/Cat Stevens
(Verve Decca Crossover)
UAE finals day
Friday, April 13
Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
3pm, UAE Conference: Dubai Tigers v Sharjah Wanderers
6.30pm, UAE Premiership: Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Company%20profile
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Book%20Details
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Results
Ashraf Ghani 50.64 per cent
Abdullah Abdullah 39.52 per cent
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar 3.85 per cent
Rahmatullah Nabil 1.8 per cent