The UN's nuclear watchdog has expressed concern over Iran's continuing breaches of a 2015 agreement with world powers, accusing Tehran of significantly changing designs at a key nuclear plant.
Details of a visit by an International Atomic Energy Agency delegation to Iran were revealed in an unreleased report seen by Reuters on Wednesday.
Rafael Grossi, the IAEA chief, “is concerned that Iran has implemented a substantial change in the design information” at the Fordow nuclear plant without informing the agency in advance, the report said.
Two IR-6 uranium enrichment cascades were interconnected in a manner “substantially different” from what Iranian officials had declared to the IAEA, it added.
Tehranh has refused to yield to IAEA member states calls to explain traces of highly-enriched uranium at undeclared sites. In November, it announced it would increase its stockpile of uranium and install several advanced centrifuges, including the IR-6, at Fordow and Natanz.
Weeks later, Iranian officials said an IAEA delegation would visit the country, but analysts had little faith it would lead to compliance from Tehran.
Iran only informed the agency of the change at Fordow after the inspection on January 16, the report said.
The IAEA has not held back on criticism of Tehran and said the new measure undermines it ability to put safeguards in place at the site.
Iran has expanded its uranium enrichment since 2018, after former president Donald Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal known as the JCPOA.
The watchdog has assessed that the country now possesses a large stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 per cent — one step away from being able to produce an atom bomb.
While it would still face several hurdles in producing one, the UK has previously warned that Iran is moving quickly to procure nuclear weapons — with its breakout time reduced to “a matter of weeks.”
Nuclear programme 'never more advanced'
Talks to revive the nuclear deal have made no progress, increasing the chances of further attacks on Iranian military and nuclear sites, analysts have told The National.
Israel is suspected of being behind a drone attack on a military plant in Isfahan on Sunday, and has repeatedly warned of Iran's growing nuclear threat.
On Tuesday, Britain's foreign secretary James Cleverly said Iran's nuclear programme has “never been more advanced.”
“The option of engaging more usefully with JCPOA is in the hands of the Iranians — they have spectacularly failed to grasp that opportunity,” he said in the House of Commons.
Tehran is also facing scrutiny over its crackdown against anti-government protesters, who have been killed in their hundreds since rallies began in September.
Instagram and Facebook will remain blocked in the country, President Ebrahim Raisi has said, prolonging measures imposed since the first protests broke out after the death of Mahsa Amini.
He said the platforms “were at the root of the insecurity in the country” and will only be allowed to operate if they have a legal representative in the country.
Iran often restricts internet access during periods of protest.
Other platforms have been blocked, including, Twitter, YouTube, Telegram and TikTok.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
UAE gold medallists:
Omar Al Suweidi (46kg), Khaled Al Shehhi (50kg), Khalifa Humaid Al Kaabi (60kg), Omar Al Fadhli (62kg), Mohammed Ali Al Suweidi (66kg), Omar Ahmed Al Hosani (73), all in the U18’s, and Khalid Eskandar Al Blooshi (56kg) in the U21s.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
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Ready Player One
Dir: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Rylance
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
More from Neighbourhood Watch
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
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The specs: 2017 Maserati Quattroporte
Price, base / as tested Dh389,000 / Dh559,000
Engine 3.0L twin-turbo V8
Transmission Eight-speed automatic
Power 530hp @ 6,800rpm
Torque 650Nm @ 2,000 rpm
Fuel economy, combined 10.7L / 100km
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.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Ammar 808:
Maghreb United
Sofyann Ben Youssef
Glitterbeat
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