Iran Engages in Fresh Nuclear Negotiations with European Powers

Amid escalating tensions and impending sanctions, Iran is set to negotiate with Britain, France, and Germany, focusing on its nuclear program.

Iran's foreign ministry announced on Monday that representatives will meet with negotiators from France, Germany, and Britain in Istanbul on Friday. This announcement comes just days after the three European nations threatened to reinstate sanctions if Iran does not progress toward a new nuclear deal aimed at curbing its atomic endeavors. Spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed the new round of discussions, highlighting Iran's willingness to engage, as reported by state media.

The European trio remains a signatory to the 2015 nuclear agreement initially brokered by the Obama administration, which the Trump administration abandoned. Recently, they expressed their intent to reinstate United Nations sanctions by the end of August unless Iran takes significant steps toward a revised deal. The European powers aim to pressure Iran into reducing its uranium enrichment activities and restoring cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Historically, IAEA inspectors monitored Iran’s highly enriched uranium reserves, a protocol that ceased following a series of airstrikes on Iranian facilities by Israel and the United States in June. Since then, diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington regarding nuclear negotiations have stalled, leaving the future of Iran's nuclear ambitions uncertain as negotiations loom.