 "First time since US struck Iran, Tehran discusses nuclear programme, but with E3 powers")
Iranian officials have resumed nuclear discussions with diplomats from the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, the first such engagement since Israeli strikes targeted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure in June.
The military action sparked a 12-day conflict, during which the United States also launched airstrikes on several of Iran’s nuclear-related facilities, effectively halting ongoing nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
The European trio, often referred to as the E3 has warned Tehran that sanctions could be reimposed if meaningful progress towards a renewed nuclear agreement is not achieved by the end of August.
The talks, which ended after four hours, centered on the possibility of reimposing sanctions on Iran that were lifted in 2015 in exchange for Iran accepting restrictions and monitoring of its nuclear program.
The return of sanctions, known as a “snapback” mechanism, “remains on the table,” according to a European diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks.
Ahead of the Istanbul meeting, Iran dismissed proposals to extend the United Nations resolution underpinning the 2015 nuclear accord, which is approaching its expiration.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said afterward that both sides had presented specific ideas on sanctions relief and the nuclear issue.
“While seriously criticising their stances regarding the recent war of aggression against our people, we explained our principled positions, including on the so-called snapback mechanism,” he said.
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View All“It was agreed that consultations on this matter will continue."
The European countries, along with China and Russia, are the remaining parties to the 2015 deal - from which the U.S. withdrew in 2018 - which lifted sanctions on Iran in return for restrictions on its nuclear programme.
A deadline of Oct. 18 is fast approaching when the resolution governing that deal expires.
At that point, all UN sanctions on Iran will be lifted unless the “snapback” mechanism is triggered at least 30 days before. This would automatically reimpose those sanctions, which target sectors from hydrocarbons to banking and defence.
To give time for this to happen, the E3 have set a deadline of the end of August to revive diplomacy. Diplomats say they want Iran to take concrete steps to convince them to extend the deadline by up to six months.
It needs to happen in a way that will be empowering and deliver the long term peace and stability that Palestine needs.
With inputs from agencies
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