Iran to Resume Nuclear Talks With Europe in Turkey/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Iran announced it will hold nuclear talks with European powers in Istanbul on Friday, marking the first such meeting since June’s ceasefire with Israel. Discussions will focus on sanctions relief and Iran’s nuclear program amid rising tensions. European nations threaten to trigger UN sanctions if progress isn’t made.
Iran Nuclear Talks After Ceasefire: Quick Looks
- Iran to meet UK, France, Germany in Istanbul on Friday
- Talks are first since June’s Israel-Iran conflict ceasefire
- Focus: Sanctions relief and Iran’s peaceful nuclear program
- U.S. not attending but closely aligned with European stance
- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to participate
- E3 may trigger 2015 deal’s snapback sanctions by August
- Iran accuses E3 of failing nuclear deal commitments
- U.S. strikes in June targeted Iranian nuclear facilities
Iran to Resume Nuclear Talks With Europe in Turkey
Deep Look
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran confirmed on Monday it will resume high-level nuclear negotiations with European nations this week, with talks scheduled for Friday in Istanbul, Turkey. This marks the first diplomatic engagement between Tehran and the European bloc since a fragile ceasefire ended a deadly 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June. The meeting, which will include the United Kingdom, France, Germany (collectively known as the E3), and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, comes amid heightened tensions and growing threats of renewed sanctions.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated the discussions will be held at the deputy foreign minister level and will center on two core issues: lifting of economic sanctions and resolving concerns over Iran’s nuclear program.
“The topic of the talks is clear: lifting sanctions and issues related to the peaceful nuclear program of Iran,” Baghaei said during his weekly press briefing.
Context: From Ceasefire to Diplomacy
This week’s negotiations follow a sharp escalation in June, during which Israel launched a sustained air campaign against Iran, reportedly in response to Tehran’s growing military posture in the region. The United States also bombed three nuclear-related sites in Iran during the conflict. According to Iranian officials, nearly 1,100 Iranians were killed—including key nuclear scientists and military personnel—while 28 people died in Israel.
A similar nuclear meeting between Iran and the E3 was last held in May, also in Istanbul. However, the June conflict has since shifted the diplomatic landscape. Iran now faces renewed pressure to curb its nuclear ambitions as Europe weighs activating the so-called “snapback” provision of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—a mechanism that would reimpose UN sanctions if Tehran is found to be in non-compliance.
European Threat of Snapback Sanctions
Germany’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Martin Giese confirmed that Friday’s talks will take place at the expert level and emphasized that the E3 continues to push for “a sustainable and verifiable diplomatic solution.” Giese made clear that the reimposition of sanctions remains an option: “It’s very clear that, should no solution be reached by the end of August, snapback remains an option for the E3.”
The JCPOA, signed in 2015, was designed to limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for international sanctions relief. However, the agreement began to unravel in 2018 when then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the deal and reinstated sanctions on Tehran. Since then, Iran has gradually scaled up its uranium enrichment activities, reaching levels as high as 60% purity—just short of the 90% needed for weapons-grade material.
Iran Pushes Back Against European Pressure
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded sharply to the possibility of snapback sanctions in a letter to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. He accused the E3 of lacking any “legal, political, or moral standing” to invoke the provision, and criticized the group for not fulfilling its own obligations under the 2015 agreement.
“Attempting to trigger ‘snapback’ under these circumstances, in defiance of established facts and prior communications, constitutes an abuse of process that the international community must reject,” Araghchi wrote.
The Iranian diplomat further accused the E3 of supporting what he called the “unprovoked and illegal military aggression” by both Israel and the United States.
“Their political and material backing of the attacks severely undermines their credibility as negotiating partners,” he added.
Washington Watches from the Sidelines
Though the U.S. is not directly participating in the Istanbul talks, Giese confirmed that the E3 strategy is being coordinated with Washington. The Biden administration, like its predecessor, insists that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons, but has shifted its approach to favor renewed diplomacy.
Still, military action earlier this summer shows that the U.S. remains willing to strike key Iranian infrastructure if deemed necessary. The Biden administration has not commented on whether it supports reactivating the JCPOA’s snapback mechanism.
Tehran Emphasizes Peaceful Intent
Iran continues to deny allegations that it seeks nuclear weapons, maintaining that its nuclear program is strictly peaceful. Despite enriching uranium to 60% purity—a technical step closer to weapons-grade material—Iranian officials insist the enrichment is legal under international frameworks given the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 deal.
“Our policy remains clear: peaceful nuclear energy for national development,” Baghaei said Monday. “We are open to diplomatic solutions and regional cooperation.”
What Comes Next
The upcoming meeting in Istanbul could determine whether a diplomatic path forward remains viable. The E3 is giving Iran until the end of August to make verifiable commitments or risk facing a reimposition of UN sanctions. Iran, for its part, says it is willing to negotiate but will not accept unilateral pressure or what it calls biased enforcement of international agreements.
With a month left before the snapback deadline, the world will be watching closely to see whether Friday’s talks bring the JCPOA back from the brink—or push it closer to collapse.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.