Rouhani threatens to quit nuke deal if interests not secured
Tehran, July 6 : Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has reiterated that if Iran's interests within the 2015 nuclear deal are not secured, it may leave the accord, Press TV reported on Thursday.
During a meeting in the Austrian capital of Vienna, Rouhani told Yukiya Amano, director general of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), that Iran might reconsider its cooperation level with the international nuclear watchdog.
Iran has proved that its nuclear activities have always been peaceful, Rouhani said, referring to the IAEA reports issued following the signing of the 2015 landmark nuclear deal, known officially as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Iran has been committed to its obligations under the deal, he stressed. Besides IAEA regular inspections to Iran's nuclear sites, Iran has allowed short-notice inspections carried out under the IAEA Additional Protocol.
Tehran will decide on the level of its cooperation with the IAEA, if the world fails to save the deal and Iran's interests therein, Rouhani said.
The 2015 pact between six major powers and Iran restricts its nuclear activities in exchange for the easing of the sanctions on the Islamic republic.
However, US President Donald Trump has urged the IAEA to widen its inspections to Iran's military sites despite his decision on May 8 to pull out of the deal. The demands have been rejected by Iran.
Rouhani started on Monday his visits to Switzerland and Austria as Iran and the European Union are holding talks on how to save the nuclear deal despite the US pullout.
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West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph suspended after on-field argument with his captain
Bridgetown (Barbados) (AP/PTI): Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has been suspended for two matches by Cricket West Indies over his very public disagreement with captain Shai Hope over field placements during a one-day international against England.
While West Indies was bowling during the match Wednesday which the Caribbean side won by eight wickets to clinch the three-match series, Joseph left the field in a remarkable protest over the field set by Hope during one of the fast bowler's overs.
Joseph and Hope engaged in a lengthy argument before the fourth over which was bowled by Joseph and had to be urged by the umpires to resume play. After a ball was played away on the off side during the over, Joseph remonstrated angrily with Hope and when the over ended he walked from the field, returning after a short break.
On Thursday, Cricket West Indies said in a statement Joseph's conduct fell short of CWI's “standards of professionalism.”
"Alzarri's behavior did not align with the core values that Cricket West Indies upholds. Such conduct cannot be overlooked, and we have taken decisive action to ensure the gravity of the situation is fully acknowledged," said CWI director of cricket Miles Bascombe.
Joseph also issued an apology.
“I recognize that my passion got the best of me,” Joseph was quoted as saying in the CWI statement.
"I have personally apologized to captain Shai Hope and my teammates and management. I also extend my sincerest apologies to the West Indies fans — understand that even a brief lapse in judgment can have a far-reaching impact, and I deeply regret any disappointment caused.”
With the one-day series concluded, England and the West Indies meet in a five-match Twenty20 series beginning Saturday at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.
