ISTANBUL/TEHRAN – In a critical development amid soaring Middle East tensions, Iran confirms fresh nuclear talks with European powers on Friday—Britain, France, and Germany (E3)—this Friday in Istanbul, following a month of military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iranian state TV quoted Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghai stating:
“In response to the request of European countries, Iran has agreed to hold a new round of talks.”
These would mark the first formal negotiations since the US bombed Iran’s nuclear sites on June 22, targeting Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz in a coordinated move following Israeli airstrikes.
🇮🇷 Diplomatic Pressure Builds Amid Tensions
European leaders have urged Iran to return to the negotiating table, citing rising concerns about Tehran’s uranium enrichment. A German diplomat told AFP:
“Iran must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.”
The E3—still parties to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—are working to revive diplomatic dialogue amid fears of a full-blown nuclear crisis.
The JCPOA, which once placed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, began unraveling in 2018 after the Trump administration withdrew and reinstated harsh sanctions.
US and Israeli Strikes Alter the Negotiating Landscape
The upcoming Iran nuclear talks with European powers are set against a backdrop of heightened hostility. Last month, Israel launched a 12-day offensive on Iranian military and nuclear sites, followed by US missile strikes on June 22.
These strikes effectively ended indirect Iran-US negotiations that were previously held via Omani mediators.
Read More: Israeli forces kill 92 aid seekers in Gaza as 19 people starve to death
Russia Steps In – Kremlin Meeting Signals Realignment
In a surprising twist, Iran’s top nuclear adviser Ali Larijani visited the Kremlin on Sunday for a closed-door meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that discussions focused on the escalating nuclear situation and regional stability, but Russia did not fully back Iran post-strikes, adopting a more measured stance.
Europe Threatens Snapback Sanctions Mechanism
E3 nations have threatened to invoke the JCPOA’s “snapback” clause, which would allow for automatic reimposition of UN sanctions on Iran if found non-compliant.
However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rebuffed the move, stating:
“The E3 have relinquished their role as JCPOA participants by supporting the US and Israeli aggression.”
He called any such attempt “null and void,” accusing the West of “delusional dirty work” while reaffirming Tehran’s readiness for reciprocal, good-faith diplomacy.
Iran Stands Firm on Uranium Enrichment
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s adviser, Ali Velayati, reiterated over the weekend that Iran would not enter any new nuclear talks with the US if uranium enrichment is made a precondition.
Iran continues to maintain that its nuclear program is strictly peaceful, rejecting Western and Israeli claims that it seeks to build a bomb.
