Middle East Experience

The Biden administration seems to welcome the approach of the new Bennett government, of conducting a discreet yet open dialogue on the Iranian file.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Unlike Netanyahu, Bennett opts for discreet dialogue with US on Iran

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday warned Iran that the United States could eventually give up on rejoining a nuclear deal if talks in Vienna drag on.“There will come a point, yes, where it will be very hard to return back to the standards set by the JCPOA,” Blinken told reporters in Paris, referring to the 2015 nuclear accord from which former US president Donald Trump withdrew in 2018.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.All sides have been negotiating in Vienna for six weeks to find a way to resume compliance, but a sixth round of indirect talks adjourned on Sunday with key issues still unresolved“We still have significant differences with Iran,” Blinken said, adding that he hoped a resumption of talks in the coming days could resolve them.Blinken, who said talks would not last indefinitely, said the immediate priority was to put the nuclear deal “back in the box,” but that the United States and its partners would also have the tools if a deal was agreed to handle Iran's regional and missile activities.Lack of interim pact with IAEAThe lack of an interim agreement between the UN nuclear watchdog and Iran on the monitoring of atomic activities is a serious concern that has been communicated to Tehran, Blinken said.Struck on February 21, the interim monitoring deal was valid for three months, then extended by a month on May 24. The International Atomic Energy Agency has said it expired on Thursday. It is in talks with Iran on another extension.“This remains a serious concern,” Blinken told reporters in Paris alongside his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian. “The concern has been communicated to Iran and needs to be resolved.”A spokesman for the IAEA said that Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi would inform the IAEA Board of Governors on the matter during the course of Friday.Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian echoed those comments saying the ball was in the court of Iran's decision makers and that the negotiations had now entered their toughest stage.“We’re waiting for Iranian authorities to take the final difficult decisions to allow for the revival of the 2015 nuclear deal,” he said.Read more: US may need to rethink strategy on nuclear deal with Iran: State Department official
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Iran deal return ‘very hard’ if talks drag on, warns Blinken during France visit

The government of Abu Dhabi said that tourists visiting the capital city are not eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: UAE: 105,676 Covid vaccine doses administered in 24 hours

France and the United States have agreed to act together to put pressure on Lebanese officials responsible for the political and economic crisis gripping the country, the French foreign minister said Friday..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: France says to 'act together' with US to pressure Lebanon officials behind crisis

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said he turned down foreign-made vaccines because receiving Iran's own vaccine is a source of "national honor."
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iran's supreme leader gets jab of Iranian-made COVID-19 vaccine

Several activities including medical screening, distribution of food packs/meals and giveaways will be given to seafarers..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Dubai: DP World celebrates Day of the Seafarer

The UN nuclear watchdog said on Friday it had received no reply from Tehran over the possible extension of a temporary agreement covering inspections at Iranian nuclear facilities which expired on Thursday.In a statement, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that its director Rafael Grossi had written to Iranian authorities about the matter on 17 June but that “Iran had not replied to his letter or indicated whether it intends to maintain the current arrangement.”The IAEA said an immediate response from Iran is needed on monitoring the deal.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The UN nuclear watchdog said it stressed the vital importance of continuing necessary verification and monitoring activities in Iran, including uninterrupted collection and storage of data by its equipment.Read more: Iran deal return ‘very hard’ if talks drag on, warns Blinken during France visit
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: ‘No reply’ from Iran over expired nuclear inspections agreement: UN watchdog IAEA

Lebanon records 163 COVID-19 cases, 4 deaths in last 24 hours..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon records 163 COVID-19 cases, 4 deaths in last 24 hours

The annual Pride march in Israel's largest city is one of the only rallies for LGBTQI+ rights in the Middle East.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Pride returns to Tel Aviv

US President Joe Biden met with Afghan President and his former political foe on Friday to discuss Washington's support for Afghanistan as the last US troops pack up after 20 years.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Biden meets Afghan leaders as US troops leave, fighting rages