Connect with us

News

US grants sanctions relief to Iran as nuke talks in balance

Avatar

Published

on

State Department’s waivers announcement lifts sanctions threat against third parties that had been cooperating with non-military parts of Iran’s nuclear program under the terms of the 2015 deal.

The Biden administration has restored some sanctions relief to Iran’s atomic program as talks aimed at salvaging the languishing 2015 nuclear deal enter a critical phase.

As US negotiators head back to Vienna for what could be a make-or-break session, Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed several sanctions waivers related to Iran’s civilian nuclear activities. The move reverses the Trump administration’s decision to rescind them.

The resumption of the waiver, “would be essential to ensuring Iran’s swift compliance” with its commitments, if a new deal on controlling Tehran’s nuclear program can be reached in talks in Vienna, the official said on Friday.

The waivers are intended to entice Iran to return to compliance with the 2015 deal that it has been violating since former President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and re-imposed US sanctions. Iran says it is not respecting the terms of the deal because the US pulled out of it first. Iran has demanded the restoration of all sanctions relief it was promised under the deal to return to compliance.

Friday’s move lifts the sanctions threat against foreign countries and companies from Russia, China and Europe that had been cooperating with non-military parts of Iran’s nuclear program under the terms of the 2015 deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA.

READ MORE: Iran nuclear talks: Where do Iran and the US differ?

‘Returning to JCPOA commitments’

The Trump administration had ended the so-called “civ-nuke” waivers in May 2020 as part of its “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran that began when Trump withdrew the US from the deal in 2018, complaining that it was the worst diplomatic agreement ever negotiated and gave Iran a pathway to developing the bomb.

As a presidential candidate, Joe Biden made a US return to the nuclear deal a priority, and his administration has pursued that goal but there has been little progress toward that end since he took office a year ago. Administration officials said the waivers were being restored to help push the Vienna negotiations forward.

“The waiver with respect to these activities is designed to facilitate discussions that would help to close a deal on a mutual return to full implementation of the JCPOA and lay the groundwork for Iran’s return to performance of its JCPOA commitments,” the State Department said in a notice to Congress that announced the move.

“It is also designed to serve US nonproliferation and nuclear safety interests and constrain Iran’s nuclear activities,” the department said. “It is being issued as a matter of policy discretion with these objectives in mind, and not pursuant to a commitment or as part of a quid pro quo.

We are focused on working with partners and allies to counter the full range of threats that Iran poses.”

A copy of the State Department notice and the actual waivers signed by Blinken were obtained by The Associated Press.

READ MOREMacron urges Raisi to ‘accelerate’ Iran nuclear talks

Concession?

The waivers permit foreign countries and companies to work on civilian projects at Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, its Arak Heavy Water Facility and the Tehran Research Reactor. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had revoked the waivers in May, 2020, accusing Iran of “nuclear extortion” for continuing and expanding work at the sites.

Critics of the nuclear deal who lobbied Trump to withdraw from it protested, arguing that even if the Biden administration wants to return to the 2015 deal it should at least demand some concessions from Iran before granting it sanctions relief.

“From a negotiating perspective, they look desperate: we’ll waive sanctions before we even have a deal, just say yes to anything!” said Rich Goldberg, a vocal deal opponent who is a senior adviser to the hawkish Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

One senior State Department official familiar with the waivers maintained that the move is not a “concession” to Iran and was being taken “in our vital national interest as well as the interest of the region and the world.”

The official was not authorised to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

READ MORETop envoys head home for parleys as Iran nuclear talks reach critical stage

Source: TRT

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

News

Nasheed calls on British King Charles

FI

Published

on

By

Former president Mohamed Nasheed who is currently serving as the secretary general of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) has called on UK’s King Charles iii.

Nasheed met with the King Charles at the Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.

Neither Nasheed nor the Buckingham Palace has disclosed any further details regarding the meeting in an official capacity.

The meeting had been reported by media outlets.

Photos of the meeting circulating on social media show a cheerful King Charles, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer, shaking his hand with Nasheed.

The Buckingham Palace announced King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer and has subsequently commenced treatment in early February.

The Palace, in their statement, said the King, although would refrain from public appearances during the course of his treatment, will nevertheless be carrying out his official duties.

“He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible,” also read the statement.

King Charles acceded to the throne on September 8, 2022, upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. His coronation was held almost eight months later, on May 6th of last year.

Nasheed announced a hiatus from political work on December 12th of last year to assume his new post as the secretary general of CVF.

He relocated to Ghana on January 30th to carry out his responsibilities as the secretary general. Nevertheless, Nasheed remains a member of the parliament.

Source(s): sun.mv

Continue Reading

News

Presidential decree designates islands for airport development

FI

Published

on

By

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has issued a decree outlining plans for airport development projects across various islands, aiming to achieve public benefit and economic growth.

The resolution specifies the establishment of new airports in 12 different islands, alongside the expansion and enhancement of existing airports. The islands earmarked for new airports include Dhidhdhoo in Haa Alif Atoll, Dhiguveli and Milandhoo in Shaviyani Atoll, Vihafaru in Noonu Atoll, Fainu in Raa Atoll, Mathiveri in Alif Alif Atoll, Nilandhoo in Faafu Atoll, Maalhendhoo in Gaafu Alif Atoll, and Guraidhoo in Thaa Atoll.

Additionally, the decree outlines plans for a second airport in Laamu Atoll and international airports in Vilingili and Thinadhoo City in Gaafu Alif Atoll.

Existing airports slated for further development include Gan International Airport, Funadhoo Airport in Shaviyani Atoll, Dharavandhoo Airport in Baa Atoll, Kulhudhuffushi City Airport, Fuvahmulah City Airport, and Maavarulu Airport in Gaafu atoll. Moreover, developmental initiatives are planned for airports in Makunudhoo in Haa Alif Atoll, Alifushi in Raa Atoll, Muli in Meemu Atoll, Bilehfahi in Shaviyani Atoll, Thulhaadhoo in Baa Atoll, and Vilufushi in Thaa Atoll.

In addition to airport projects, the decree includes plans for coastal tourism projects in Gan, Laamu Atoll, and Addu City.

Source(s): PsmNews

Continue Reading

News

Land Act Bill amended and proposed to parliament

FI

Published

on

By

Parliamentarian Moosa Siraj has introduced a bill proposing amendments to the Maldivian Land Act, incorporating modern modifications. The bill initiated discussions among parliament members after its proposal by Siraj.

The proposed bill outlines regulations for determining land types, allocation for different purposes, and distribution to ministries and individuals. It stipulates that national and public land policies will be formulated by the president with the advice and recommendations of parliament members.

Key provisions of the bill include the appointment of a Registrar of Land by the Ministry of Housing, Land, and Urban Development, establishment of a Land and Survey Authority, and appointment of a Surveyor General.

Regarding land distribution, the bill allocates land for ministries, freeholding, and leasing, specifying permissible uses such as residential, economic, industrial, social, environmental, and governmental activities. It addresses various aspects including land rights, plot allocation, leasing, mortgage, sale, transfer by inheritance, ownership, and rights transfer.

Highlighting the outdated nature of the current Land Act from 2002, Moosa Siraj emphasised the need for modern amendments to address contemporary challenges. He stressed the inclusion of provisions for land surveys and valuation policies to mitigate issues related to fluctuating land values.

Siraj urged fellow parliament members to support the bill, citing its importance. However, members of the opposition have expressed reservations, advocating against its passage.

Source(s): PsmNews

Continue Reading

Trending