Iran, European Powers to Resume Nuclear Talks in Geneva
GENEVA — Iran and the three European powers that were part of the 2015 nuclear deal, along with the European Union, are set to hold a new round of talks at the deputy foreign minister level on Tuesday, according to Iranian state television.
This will be the second meeting since Israel carried out a 12-day bombing campaign against Iranian targets in mid-June, which was followed by US strikes on Tehran’s nuclear facilities. The last round of negotiations took place in Istanbul on July 25.
The upcoming talks follow Iran’s suspension of cooperation with the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Tehran cited the agency’s failure to condemn Israeli and US attacks on its nuclear sites as the reason for halting its cooperation.
The June bombings have significantly disrupted Iran’s nuclear negotiations with Washington. Meanwhile, the European trio — Britain, France, and Germany — have warned they may trigger the “snapback mechanism” under the 2015 nuclear deal. This would reimpose UN sanctions that were lifted under the agreement unless Iran limits its uranium enrichment and resumes cooperation with IAEA inspectors.
Iran has pushed back, arguing that the Europeans have no legal grounds to activate the mechanism and accusing them of failing to uphold their commitments under the accord.
The 2015 agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was originally signed by Iran, Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia, and the United States. The deal eased sanctions on Iran in return for restrictions on its nuclear program to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons — a goal Iran has consistently denied pursuing.
However, the US withdrawal from the agreement in 2018 under President Donald Trump and the reimposition of tough sanctions led Iran to gradually scale back its commitments, particularly in uranium enrichment. At that time, London, Paris, and Berlin reaffirmed their support for the deal and continued trade with Iran, preventing UN and European sanctions from being reinstated.
Efforts by European countries to offset the impact of returning US sanctions have largely struggled, forcing many Western companies to exit Iran amid soaring inflation and an economic crisis.
The window for triggering the snapback mechanism is set to close in October. Reports suggest the Europeans have offered to extend the deadline if Iran resumes talks with Washington and re-engages with the IAEA — a proposal that Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has firmly rejected.
Mutib Khalid is a skilled content writer and digital marketer with a knack for crafting compelling narratives and optimizing digital strategies. Excel in creating engaging content that drives results and enhances online presence. Passionate about blending creativity with data-driven approaches, Mutib Khalid helps brands connect with their audience and achieve their goals.