Iranian-European Talks on Nuclear Issue and Sanctions

Iranian-European talks were held on Friday to review recent developments in the nuclear file and to issue a warning regarding possible sanctions if Tehran does not return to the negotiating table.

According to the Iranian news agency IRNA, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was scheduled to hold a joint phone call with his French, British, and German counterparts the same day to discuss nuclear negotiations and the issue of sanctions.

The three European powers are threatening to trigger the snapback mechanism for the reinstatement of United Nations sanctions on Iran should it fail to resume talks.

These countries, along with the United States, argue that Iran is exploiting its nuclear program in ways that could potentially lead to the development of nuclear weapons — an allegation Tehran firmly denies.

Iran suspended its negotiations with Washington, which were intended to curb its nuclear ambitions, after the United States and Israel struck Iranian nuclear sites in June.

Since then, inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have not been allowed access to Iranian nuclear facilities, despite repeated statements from the agency’s director, Rafael Grossi, emphasizing that inspections remain essential.