Iran has engaged in direct nuclear negotiations with European powers in the wake of heightened tensions following recent military actions by Israel and the United States. The discussions, described as “serious, frank, and detailed,” occurred in Istanbul and marked the first in-person meeting since the airstrikes in June 2023. The Iranian delegation expressed a commitment to continue these dialogues, which are crucial as the deadline for the expiration of a key United Nations resolution approaches.
During the approximately four-hour meeting, delegates from the European Union and the E3 group—comprising France, Britain, and Germany—met with Iranian counterparts at the Iranian consulate. The discussions are seen as a potential pathway to resume inspections by the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, stated that both sides presented specific proposals regarding sanctions relief and nuclear issues. He emphasized the importance of addressing the “recent war of aggression against our people,” while outlining Iran’s positions on the so-called snapback mechanism, which allows for the reimposition of sanctions should Iran fail to comply with the agreement’s terms. Gharibabadi noted that these consultations would continue.
The backdrop to these talks includes the impending expiration of Resolution 2231 on October 18, 2023, which governs the 2015 nuclear deal from which the United States withdrew in 2018. This resolution lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for significant restrictions on its nuclear program. Should the resolution lapse without action, all UN sanctions will be lifted unless the snapback mechanism is invoked at least 30 days prior. This would automatically reinstate sanctions targeting key sectors, including hydrocarbons, banking, and defense.
The E3 nations have set a deadline of the end of August for diplomatic efforts to revive the agreement. As part of this initiative, they seek concrete commitments from Iran to extend the deadline by up to six months. Key issues include negotiations with Washington and full cooperation with the IAEA, as well as clarification on the whereabouts of approximately 400 kilograms of near-weapons-grade highly enriched uranium, which has been unaccounted for since last month’s strikes.
Prior to the negotiations, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson dismissed discussions about extending UN Security Council Resolution 2231 as “meaningless and baseless.” This ongoing dialogue comes amid increased scrutiny regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, expressed optimism about the possibility of resuming nuclear inspection visits this year. He highlighted the importance of discussing technical details moving forward, stating that it is vital to agree on procedures and listen to Iran’s perspective on necessary precautions.
The United States previously held five rounds of talks with Iran before the airstrikes, with former President Donald Trump claiming the operations had significantly damaged Iran’s nuclear program. Nonetheless, reports suggest that while one of the targeted sites suffered severe damage, the other two remained largely intact. Iran has consistently denied any intention of developing nuclear weapons, asserting that its nuclear program is solely for civilian purposes.
As the diplomatic landscape evolves, the upcoming weeks will be critical in shaping the future of the nuclear agreement and the broader geopolitical dynamics in the region.
