Iranian and European diplomats from the E3 nations UK, France, and Germany will meet in Istanbul to break the deadlock over Iran’s nuclear program. With rising global tensions and the threat of renewed sanctions, the talks will address uranium enrichment, IAEA cooperation, and the future of the 2015 nuclear deal.
-1753424951941_d.png "Iran and European diplomats to meet in Istanbul amid renewed nuclear tensions")
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Pic/AFP
With the ongoing global and geopolitical tensions across the globe, Iranian and European diplomats are set to meet in Istanbul on Friday. The meeting between the diplomats will embark on the latest drive to unpick the deadlock over Tehran's nuclear program.
As reported by the news agency AP, representatives from Britain, France, and Germany, known as the E3 nations, will gather at the Iranian consulate building. This will be the first time since Iran's 12-day war with Israel in June that they will be discussing various issues apart from the nuclear deadlock. The 12-day war also involved US bombers striking nuclear-related facilities in Iran.
It has also been reported that the talks between the diplomats can focus on the possibility of reimposing sanctions on Iran that were lifted in 2015 in exchange for Iran accepting restrictions and monitoring of its nuclear program.
According to a European diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks. The return of sanctions, known as a ‘snapback mechanism, remains on the table.
The diplomat further said that “a possible delay in triggering snapback has been floated to the Iranians on the condition that there is credible diplomatic engagement by Iran, that they resume full cooperation with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), and that they address concerns about their highly enriched uranium stockpile,” as cited by news agency AP.
Even after the United States attacked the Iranian nuclear facilities a few days earlier. European leaders have said sanctions will resume by the end of August if there is no progress on containing Iran's nuclear program.
On the other hand, Tehran has also said that the US, which withdrew from the 2015 deal during President Donald Trump's first term, needs to rebuild faith in its role in negotiations.
Whereas the Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said, “Iran's engagement was dependent on several key principles that included rebuilding Iran's trust, as Iran has absolutely no trust in the United States,” as cited by news agency AP.
While posting on social media, the diplomat also said that “the talks shouldn't be used as a platform for hidden agendas such as military action. Gharibabadi insisted that Iran's right to enrich uranium, in line with its legitimate needs, be respected and sanctions removed.”
Considering that Iran has been regularly threatening to leave the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, the commitments from them may refrain from developing nuclear weapons if sanctions return.
As per the AP reports, Friday's talks between the Europeans and Iran will be held at the deputy ministerial level in Istanbul. Iran will be sending Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-e Ravanchi as their representative.
Earlier, a similar meeting was held in Istanbul in May. However, the identity of the E3 representatives was not immediately clear, but the European Union's deputy foreign policy commissioner is expected to attend.
The UK, France, and Germany were signatories to the 2015 deal, alongside the US, Russia, and China. When the US withdrew in 2018, Trump insisted the agreement wasn't tough enough. Under the original deal, neither Russia nor China can veto reimposed sanctions.
Furthermore, in an interview with Al Jazeera that was aired on Wednesday, the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said, Iran is prepared for another war, and reiterated that its nuclear program will continue within the framework of international law, while adding the country had no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons, ”as cited by news agency AP.
(With inputs from AP)
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