Arab countries call for inspection of all Iranian nuclear sites

Arab ministers discuss stopping Tehran’s destabilizing policies that threaten global security and stability at the Arab League’s head quarters in Cairo. (SPA)
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Updated 09 September 2021
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Arab countries call for inspection of all Iranian nuclear sites

  • The meeting discussed strengthening joint coordination to stop Iranian interference in the region
  • The UN atomic watchdog on Tuesday criticized Iran for obstructing an investigation into past activities

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt called for a “rapid and comprehensive inspection” of all Iranian nuclear sites on Thursday.
Gathering on the sidelines of an Arab League session in Cairo, ministers from the four countries also discussed stopping Tehran’s destabilizing policies that threaten global security and stability.
The meeting on Thursday, chaired by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, also discussed strengthening joint coordination to stop Iranian interference in the region and its financing of the Houthi militia in Yemen and other terrorist groups. 
The UN atomic watchdog on Tuesday criticized Iran for obstructing an investigation into past activities and jeopardizing important monitoring work.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said in reports to member states that there had been no progress on two key issues: explaining uranium traces found at several old, undeclared sites and getting urgent access to some monitoring equipment so that the agency can continue to keep track of parts of Iran's nuclear programme.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken responded with a warning on Wednesday that time was running out for Iran to return to the 2015 nuclear deal that the Biden administration wants to revive.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi suggested after taking office in August that talks aimed at reviving the stalled deal were unlikely to resume for two to three months.
Former President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the 2015 deal, under which Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear activities in return for the lifting of sanctions. Tehran responded to the US withdrawal and reimposition of sanctions by violating many of those restrictions.

Prince Faisal also met his Jordanian and Palestinian counterparts separately on the sidelines of the session.

The Kingdom’s foreign minister discussed ways of strengthening relations and recent developments during the meetings.


The art of war: fears for masterpieces on loan to Louvre Abu Dhabi

Updated 13 March 2026
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The art of war: fears for masterpieces on loan to Louvre Abu Dhabi

  • UAE paid more than €1 billion to borrow priceless works, but experts in France want them back

PARIS: The Middle East war has raised fears for the safety of priceless masterpieces on loan from France to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the museum’s only foreign branch.
The Abu Dhabi museum, which opened in 2017, has so far escaped damage from nearly 1,800 Iranian drone and missile strikes launched since the conflict erupted on Feb. 28.
However, concerns are mounting in France. “The works must be removed,” said Didier Selles, who helped broker the original agreement between France and the UAE.
French journal La Tribune de l’Art echoed that alarm. “The Louvre’s works in Abu Dhabi must be secured!” it said.
France’s culture ministry said French authorities were “in close and regular contact with the authorities of the UAE to ensure the protection of the works loaned by France.”
Under the agreement with the UAE, France agreed to provide expertise, lend works of art and organize exhibitions, in return for €1 billion, including €400 million for licensing the use of the Louvre name. The deal was extended in 2021 to 2047 for an additional €165 million.
Works on loan include paintings by Rembrandt and Chardin, Classical statues of Isis, Roman sarcophagi and Islamic masterpieces: such as the Pyxis of Al-Mughira.

A Louvre Abu Dhabi source said the museum was designed to protect collections from both security threats and natural disasters.