Iranian chess player Sarasadat Khademalsharieh arrived in Spain on Tuesday after being reportedly warned not to return to Iran. EPA
Iranian chess player Sarasadat Khademalsharieh arrived in Spain on Tuesday after being reportedly warned not to return to Iran. EPA
Iranian chess player Sarasadat Khademalsharieh arrived in Spain on Tuesday after being reportedly warned not to return to Iran. EPA
Iranian chess player Sarasadat Khademalsharieh arrived in Spain on Tuesday after being reportedly warned not to return to Iran. EPA

US senator speaks out in support of Iranian chess player as protests continue


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An influential US senator has spoken out in support of an Iranian chess player who competed without a hijab at an international tournament in Kazakhstan.

Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, who heads the chamber's Foreign Relations Committee, said Iranians face an almost impossible choice when it comes to competing overseas for their country.

“[Sarasadat] Khademalsharieh and others like her must choose between standing up for fundamental #human rights and returning to their country,” Mr Menendez tweeted from the committee's Twitter account on Sunday.

“The Iranian regime offers few choices to those who will not submit to its oppression.”

Khademalsharieh arrived in Spain on Tuesday after reportedly receiving warnings not to return to Iran.

Iran has been gripped by daily anti-government protests since September of last year, when a young woman died in police custody after she was detained for not wearing a head covering in accordance with the country's strict dress code.

The protest movement has presented the clerical leadership with its biggest challenge since the 1979 revolution.

Protesters have been chanting “woman, life, freedom”, calling not only for reform, but also for the toppling of the entire regime.

On Monday, Iran sentenced two teenagers to be hanged for taking part in the protests. Two men have already been executed for their role in the demonstrations.

The crackdown has led to about 14,000 people being detained and caused the deaths of 476 people, according to Norway-based group Iran Human Rights. At least 100 detainees are at risk of execution, the organisation said.

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Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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Rating: 4/5

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

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Updated: January 03, 2023, 5:00 PM