Iran and three European powers met in Istanbul to discuss nuclear talks, Iranian official says
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Relations between the E3 powers – Britain, France and German – and Iran have worsened over the last year despite sporadic meetings.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Diplomats from Iran and three European countries discussed their now-moribund 2015 nuclear deal in Istanbul on May 16, Iran’s deputy foreign minister said, without giving details of any progress made.
The talks between senior diplomats from Iran and the three European countries – Britain, France and Germany, known as the E3 – came ahead of an expected fifth round of US-Iranian negotiations.
Under the terms of a UN resolution ratifying the 2015 nuclear pact, the three European powers could reimpose UN sanctions against Tehran – known in diplomatic circles as the “snapback mechanism” – if no agreement is reached on Iran’s nuclear programme.
According to diplomats and a document seen by Reuters, the E3 countries may trigger a snapback by August if no substantial deal can be found by then. The window closes on Oct 18.
Iran and the E3 agreed to hold further talks if needed, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on social media platform X on May 16.
“Iran and the three European countries are determined to maintain and make optimal use of diplomacy,” Mr Gharibabadi said. “We will meet again to continue the discussions if necessary.”
Relations between the E3 and Iran have worsened over the last year despite sporadic meetings, against a backdrop of new sanctions imposed on Tehran over its ballistic missile programme, its detention of foreign citizens and support for Russia in its war against Ukraine.
The European powers are not part of current negotiations between Iran and the United States, the fourth round of which ended in Oman on May 11.
But the three powers have sought to coordinate closely with Washington with a view to whether and when they should use the snapback mechanism to raise pressure on Iran over its nuclear programme.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met the national security advisers of Britain, France and Germany on May 16 to discuss Ukraine and Iran, a US official said. REUTERS
