Iran to present counter-proposal in nuclear talks with US
Iran is to present a counter-proposal in nuclear talks with the US, with the Omani-mediated negotiations at an impasse.
Washington last month submitted a proposal for a new nuclear deal, but Tehran deemed it "unacceptable". Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed the proposal, saying it was against Iranian interests.
"We will present our own proposal to the other side via Oman after it is finalised. This proposal is reasonable, logical and balanced," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said in a weekly press conference.
"We must ensure, before the lifting of sanctions, that Iran will effectively benefit economically and that its banking and trade relations with other countries will return to normal."
There was no clarity yet on the timing of a sixth round of nuclear talks, he added.
Iran and the US have held five rounds of talk, but have so far failed to come to an agreement. European powers are expected to push for a resolution, condemning Iran's behaviour at a meeting of the UN's nuclear watchdog on Monday.
The talks, mediated by Oman, aim to replace the 2015 agreement between Iran and world powers that restricted Iran's nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief. US President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the accord in 2018, during his first term.
Mr Trump has insisted that Iran fully abandon its uranium enrichment programme. Mr Khamenei has said that is a red line.
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Sunday said "the US plan does not even mention the lifting of sanctions". He called it a sign of dishonesty, accusing the US of seeking to impose a "unilateral" agreement that Tehran would not accept. "The delusional US President should know better and change his approach if he is really looking for a deal," Mr Ghalibaf added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
35 minutes ago
- The National
Raids in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus
A masked Palestinian man walks past burning tyres set up to block a road during a large-scale Israeli army raid in the old town of Nablus city in the occupied West Bank. AFP
Khaleej Times
36 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE's large scale projects signal ambition towards a sustainable economy
The UAE remains buoyant and forward-thinking, with large-scale transformation initiatives signaling the government ambition to create a sustainable economy for citizens and visitors alike, an industry veteran said. 'The UAE's government is strategically deploying investment into sectors that promise long-term value creation, including infrastructure, tourism, clean energy, digital innovation, and advanced logistics — all of which are catalysts for sustainable economic growth,' Phil Malem, CEO Serco Middle East and +impact, said in an interview. In the UAE, non-oil GDP is being buoyed by increased private sector participation and a push toward becoming a global hub for innovation, trade and talent, he added. It is also noteworthy to look at Saudi Arabia, a country which is in the midst of one of the most ambitious economic diversification programmes in the world under Vision 2030. 'Projects like NEOM, Qiddiya, and the Red Sea Development are not just infrastructure investments; they represent a new economic model based on knowledge, creativity, and future-ready service ecosystems. These megaprojects demand not only advanced service delivery models but also strategic advisory capabilities, and partners who can think, design, and operate at scale. This is where our value proposition is strongest: in delivering outsourced services that are deeply integrated, culturally aligned, and capable of flexing across both the operational and advisory spectrum,' Malem said. Serco has a long established record in the aviation sector, and Malem believes that Dubai's announcement to fully transition airport operations to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) over the next decade marks a pivotal moment in the future of global aviation. 'DWC is not just an airport expansion, it is the foundation of a new aviation ecosystem for the UAE. With a projected capacity of 260 million passengers annually, this is a bold redefinition of what global connectivity, passenger experience, and aviation infrastructure can look like. It will reshape air traffic flows, logistics strategies, and the entire passenger journey across the region,' Malem said. For us at Serco, this is a natural alignment with its capabilities and legacy. 'We have long been embedded in the region's aviation sector (supporting Dubai Airports and Sharjah Airport with multiple different services), from managing complex air traffic control operations to delivering end-to-end airport and passenger services. The DWC transformation presents an opportunity to rethink how airports are operated: how data, automation, and talent can be optimised to meet evolving passenger needs, safety standards, and sustainability goals. It also reinforces the need for a highly skilled, locally grounded workforce, which is why our investments in nationalisation, such as training Emirati air traffic controllers and operational leaders, will continue to scale in line with the country's ambitions,' Malem said. Public-private collaboration remains fundamental to the success of national transformation agendas in the region, the Serco Middle East CEO said. 'Given that many of the region's largest organisations are government-owned or backed, the ability of private sector partners to operate in true alignment with public sector goals is what determines long-term impact. Governments are not just looking for service providers, they are looking for partners who understand the national vision, share their values, and bring both global expertise and local commitment to the table. This is particularly critical in sectors like aviation, transport, defence, and citizen services, where the outcomes affect millions of lives and require long-term strategic thinking,' Malem said. Serco has invested significantly in building a pipeline of local talent, not through box-ticking, but through structured programmes that upskill, train, and provide meaningful, international-standard experience to Emirati and Saudi nationals. 'Collaboration, when built on trust and mutual purpose, becomes a multiplier. It allows us to move faster, operate smarter, and create shared outcomes. In this region, where ambition is high and transformation is constant, public-private partnerships, grounded in capability and integrity, are the engine that will power sustainable progress,' Malem said. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly part of our day-to-day lives, the expectations around customer experience are evolving at an unprecedented pace. 'For companies operating in the UAE and across the GCC, the challenge is twofold: how do you harness cutting-edge technology like AI, while maintaining the empathy and understanding that truly great experiences are built on? I believe the answer lies in blending technological innovation with human insight, which is exactly what we've set out to do through our recently launched company, +impact, Serco's advisory business,' Malem said. Through +impact, Serco is focused on delivering measurable, purpose-driven outcomes. 'One of our core services at +impact is advisory within the customer experience space, and we bring deep expertise in behavioural insight, service design, and user experience, enabling us to map real customer journeys and design solutions that anticipate needs - not just respond to them. It allows us to embed empathy and innovation directly into service delivery, creating experiences that build trust, satisfaction, and long-term loyalty,' Malem said. But AI alone isn't enough. It must be paired with strong human understanding and strategic advisory capability. 'This is where I see this convergence of AI, data, design, and operational excellence as the future of service delivery. We are proud to make an impact across governments and organisations across the region as they lead the way in defining what exceptional, human-centred experiences look like in the digital age,' Malem said.
The National
38 minutes ago
- The National
President Sheikh Mohamed meets Qatari Prime Minister in Abu Dhabi
President Sheikh Mohamed on Tuesday met Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Abu Dhabi. The two men exchanged Eid Al Adha greetings in Qasr Al Bahr before discussing aspects of co-operation, joint work and bilateral ties, state news agency Wam reported. The two sides also discussed several issues and topics of common interest. It follows a meeting between Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Tamim, Emir of Qatar, last month. The two men discussed ways to develop co-operation between the two nations, as well as the latest developments in the Middle East. That followed Doha hitting out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he criticised their mediation efforts in the Gaza war, with the Gulf state saying he was using 'false slogans to justify crimes against innocent civilians'. The meeting on Tuesday was also attended by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed, Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Lt Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Deputy Chief of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun, Adviser to the President, and a number of senior officials.
