Saudi Arabia has asked the UN chief Ban Ki-moon to inform the Security Council of the "heinous conspiracy" to kill its envoy to Washington in an alleged Iranian plot.
"The Saudi permanent mission to the United Nations in New York has ... formally requested the UN secretary general to inform the Security Council of the heinous conspiracy to assassinate the Saudi ambassador," the SPA state news agency said. "All those involved in this odious attempt should face justice."
The United States on Wednesday sought UN Security Council support for action to hold Iran "accountable" for the alleged plot, with Britain and France already strongly on board, according to diplomats.
The US ambassador Susan Rice, joined by the Saudi envoy to the UN, Abdallah Al Mouallimi, held separate meetings with envoys on the 15-nation council, US officials and diplomats said.
Meanwhile, Iran's supreme leader yesterday ridiculed US allegations that Tehran had plotted to assassinate the Saudi diplomat on American soil using a hapless, Iranian-born used car dealer from Texas and a Mexican drug cartel.
In his first direct reaction to the charges, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, proclaimed: "It's a meaningless and absurd accusation regarding a number of Iranians. But it has not stuck and it will not stick."
US officials acknowledge they do not know which of Iran's leaders, if any, are implicated.
But the US president, Barack Obama, stressed this week that "even if at the highest levels there was not detailed operational knowledge, there has to be accountability with respect to anybody in the Iranian government engaging in this kind of activity."
Aware that many in the international community are sceptical of the US claims, Washington has dispatched envoys to several countries, including Russia, China and Turkey, to provide more details about the plot.
Alluding indirectly to the accusations in recent days, the ayatollah suggested the US had fabricated the seemingly outlandish plot to distract attention from the "Wall Street uprising", to promote "Iranophobia" and to foment strife between Shiites and Sunnis.
Addressing a crowd in the city of Gilangharb, Mr Khamenei said yesterday: "They say [the US] that they want to isolate Iran. They are the ones who are isolated." The US was the "most hated" country in the world, despised in the region and "even Europe".
Amid the mutual recriminations, however, it appears Iran and the US are keeping channels open that could help defuse the row.
Washington insists it had rare direct contacts with Iranian officials over the allegations in which it warned the Iranian regime would be held to account. Tehran, unsurprisingly, denied any such meetings.
"But it appears that beyond the public rhetoric, Iran is open to quiet discussion over the plot allegations," said Scott Lucas, an Iran expert at Birmingham University in England.
Analysts also noted that since the US unveiled the charges on Tuesday, Iran has stopped issuing statements of its military prowess that were prominent in preceding days.
And, unusually, Iran's firebrand and habitually outspoken president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has been silent on the issue. US officials are said to believe he knew nothing of the alleged plot they say was engineered by Iran's shadowy Quds military force, which is answerable only to Mr Khamenei.
"It looks like the Iranians are being cautious while they try to establish what happened," Mr Lucas said in a telephone interview.
The US has accused an Iranian-American now in custody, Manssor Arbabsiar, and Golam Shakuri, a reputed member the Quds Force who is in Iran, of conspiring to murder the Saudi ambassador in Washington, Adel Al Jubeir.
Mr Arbabsiar, a former used car salesman, is accused of attempting to enlist a Mexican drugs cartel to carry out the hit in a Washington restaurant popular with the Saudi diplomat as well a host of American power players. Neighbours and friends of Mr Arbabsiar, in Texas, expressed incredulity that a man they knew as Jack, because of his fondness for Jack Daniels whisky, could be an Iranian hit man.
They portrayed him as a well-meaning but shambolic failed businessman who could not keep a secret.
If the US was "looking for 007, they got Mr Bean," one of his former business partners, David Tomscha, told reporters. Al Jazeera said yesterday it had learnt that Mr Arbabsiar, 56, was not at all religious.
The US government is trying to rally international support for sanctions against the Central Bank of Iran, Bank Markazi.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Ramin Mehmanparast, claimed yesterday that the relationship between his country and Saudi Arabia was based on "mutual respect" and could not be harmed by America's "comical and baseless" allegations.
The Iranian foreign minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, said the "Israel lobby played a key role" in convincing Washington to make the "baseless" accusations.
He said the Saudis were "too wise to get involved in this political game", adding: "We hope they will deal with this issue with caution".
The influential former chief of Saudi intelligence services has promised revenge against Iran. Prince Turki Al Faisal said on Tuesday the US evidence of the plot was "overwhelming" and "clearly shows official Iranian responsibility."
mtheodoulou@thenational.ae
Iraq negotiating over Iran sanctions impact
- US sanctions on Iran’s energy industry and exports took effect on Monday, November 5.
- Washington issued formal waivers to eight buyers of Iranian oil, allowing them to continue limited imports. Iraq did not receive a waiver.
- Iraq’s government is cooperating with the US to contain Iranian influence in the country, and increased Iraqi oil production is helping to make up for Iranian crude that sanctions are blocking from markets, US officials say.
- Iraq, the second-biggest producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, pumped last month at a record 4.78 million barrels a day, former Oil Minister Jabbar Al-Luaibi said on Oct. 20. Iraq exported 3.83 million barrels a day last month, according to tanker tracking and data from port agents.
- Iraq has been working to restore production at its northern Kirkuk oil field. Kirkuk could add 200,000 barrels a day of oil to Iraq’s total output, Hook said.
- The country stopped trucking Kirkuk oil to Iran about three weeks ago, in line with U.S. sanctions, according to four people with knowledge of the matter who asked not to be identified because they aren’t allowed to speak to media.
- Oil exports from Iran, OPEC’s third-largest supplier, have slumped since President Donald Trump announced in May that he’d reimpose sanctions. Iran shipped about 1.76 million barrels a day in October out of 3.42 million in total production, data compiled by Bloomberg show.
- Benchmark Brent crude fell 47 cents to $72.70 a barrel in London trading at 7:26 a.m. local time. U.S. West Texas Intermediate was 25 cents lower at $62.85 a barrel in New York. WTI held near the lowest level in seven months as concerns of a tightening market eased after the U.S. granted its waivers to buyers of Iranian crude.
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About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
if you go
The flights
Flydubai flies to Podgorica or nearby Tivat via Sarajevo from Dh2,155 return including taxes. Turkish Airlines flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Podgorica via Istanbul; alternatively, fly with Flydubai from Dubai to Belgrade and take a short flight with Montenegro Air to Podgorica. Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Podgorica via Belgrade. Flights cost from about Dh3,000 return including taxes. There are buses from Podgorica to Plav.
The tour
While you can apply for a permit for the route yourself, it’s best to travel with an agency that will arrange it for you. These include Zbulo in Albania (www.zbulo.org) or Zalaz in Montenegro (www.zalaz.me).
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The biog
Job: Fitness entrepreneur, body-builder and trainer
Favourite superhero: Batman
Favourite quote: We must become the change we want to see, by Mahatma Gandhi.
Favourite car: Lamborghini
JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Directed by: Shaka King
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons
Four stars
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
Brave CF 27 fight card
Welterweight:
Abdoul Abdouraguimov (champion, FRA) v Jarrah Al Selawe (JOR)
Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (TUN) v Alex Martinez (CAN)
Welterweight:
Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA) v Khamzat Chimaev (SWE)
Middleweight:
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Rustam Chsiev (RUS)
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) v Christofer Silva (BRA)
Super lightweight:
Alex Nacfur (BRA) v Dwight Brooks (USA)
Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) v Tariq Ismail (CAN)
Chris Corton (PHI) v Zia Mashwani (PAK)
Featherweight:
Sulaiman (KUW) v Abdullatip (RUS)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) v Mohammad Al Katib (JOR)
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3EDate%20started%3A%20January%202022%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Omar%20Abu%20Innab%2C%20Silvia%20Eldawi%2C%20Walid%20Shihabi%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20PropTech%20%2F%20investment%3Cbr%3EEmployees%3A%2040%3Cbr%3EStage%3A%20Seed%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Multiple%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog
Favourite food: Fish and seafood
Favourite hobby: Socialising with friends
Favourite quote: You only get out what you put in!
Favourite country to visit: Italy
Favourite film: Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Family: We all have one!
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
Company info
Company name: Entrupy
Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist
Based: New York, New York
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
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