President Joe Biden's administration voiced cautious optimism on Wednesday about a revival of the Iran nuclear deal, and said it is closely co-ordinating with Israel following a call between the US leader and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Washington remains “hopeful” about reaching an agreement on the revival of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was signed in 2015 between world powers and Iran.
The US optimism is due to Iran removing some of its conditions for returning to the nuclear deal, the White House said.
These include dropping the demand to delist the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from the US list of foreign terrorist organisations as well as the demand for the International Atomic Energy Agency to close an investigation into traces of uranium found at three undeclared nuclear sites.
Mr Kirby said Washington is waiting for Iran’s feedback on its response, which was delivered via the European Union last week.
“We still remain hopeful that we can get to the reimplementation of the JCPOA; we do believe we're closer now than we had been in certain recent weeks and months,” the US official said.
Asked about Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian's comments in Moscow on Tuesday in which he requested more US guarantees on the return to the deal, Mr Kirby said Washington is committed to the JCPOA framework.
“I don't know what guarantees he is talking about. We have been negotiating in good faith from the very beginning,” Mr Kirby said.
He reiterated that the US remains both cautiously optimistic and pragmatic in its approach in trying to close the remaining gaps in the negotiations.
Washington is also closely consulting with its regional partners on the issue.
On Tuesday, Mr Lapid announced that he had discussed the Iran talks in a call with Mr Biden.
“We talked at length about the negotiations between the powers regarding the nuclear agreement, and the various efforts to stop Iran's progress towards nuclear weapons,” the Israeli prime minister said.
Mr Biden "underscored US commitment to never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon" in his phone call with Mr Lapid, the White House said in a readout.
Last week, Israel’s Defence Minister Benny Gantz and the country’s National Security Adviser Eyal Hulata visited Washington to discuss the concessions Iran is seeking as well as US security commitment to Israel.
The head of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, David Barnea, was expected to arrive in the US this week for further talks on any possible deal, Axios reported.
Ali Vaez, the director of the Iran project at the International Crisis Group, said the fate of the nuclear deal remains unclear.
“It’s always one step forward, one step back,” Mr Vaez told The National.
Right now, the success of any negotiations will depend on Iran’s answer to US comments following the EU proposal.
“A clean 'yes' will result in a deal. A 'yes, but' is likely to prolong the process until after” the US midterm elections in November, he added.
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
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Fitness problems in men's tennis
Andy Murray - hip
Novak Djokovic - elbow
Roger Federer - back
Stan Wawrinka - knee
Kei Nishikori - wrist
Marin Cilic - adductor
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
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Company profile
Name: Dukkantek
Started: January 2021
Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani
Based: UAE
Number of employees: 140
Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service)
Investment: $5.2 million
Funding stage: Seed round
Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Film: Raid
Dir: Rajkumar Gupta
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'cruz and Saurabh Shukla
Verdict: Three stars
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
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OPTA'S PREDICTED TABLE
1. Liverpool 101 points
2. Manchester City 80
3. Leicester 67
4. Chelsea 63
5. Manchester United 61
6. Tottenham 58
7. Wolves 56
8. Arsenal 56
9. Sheffield United 55
10. Everton 50
11. Burnley 49
12. Crystal Palace 49
13. Newcastle 46
14. Southampton 44
15. West Ham 39
16. Brighton 37
17. Watford 36
18. Bournemouth 36
19. Aston Villa 32
20. Norwich City 29
