Iran, E3 Agree To Resume Nuclear Talks Amid Tensions Over Sanctions Mechanism

Iran and the three European nations, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, collectively known as the E3, have agreed to resume talks over Tehran’s nuclear program, according to a report by the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim.

Officials have reportedly scheduled deputy foreign ministers to lead the negotiations, although they are still finalising the exact date and venue.

The announcement comes after several previous rounds of negotiations since September 2024, which addressed key issues including Iran’s nuclear activities and the potential lifting of international sanctions.

In recent months, the E3 has pressured Iran by threatening to trigger the ‘snapback mechanism’ — a clause in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that enables them to reimpose all international sanctions if they determine Iran is not complying.

This has raised tensions, with Tehran repeatedly warning it will respond strongly if such a move is made.

Iran Warns E3 Against Undermining the UN

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi issued a stern warning to Britain, France, and Germany on Sunday, urging them not to undermine the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) by triggering the snapback mechanism.

In a post on social media platform X, Araghchi accused the E3 of lacking the ‘legal, political, and moral standing’ to invoke JCPOA provisions or UNSC Resolution 2231 for reinstating sanctions.

Araghchi emphasised that following the United States’ withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018, Iran followed proper dispute resolution channels before taking any remedial steps. He criticised the E3 for failing to uphold their commitments under the agreement and for supporting the US ‘maximum pressure’ strategy instead.

Reaffirming Iran’s willingness to engage in diplomacy, Araghchi stated, “The E3 must refrain from any action that would only deepen divisions in the Security Council or that would have serious adverse consequences on its work.”

He added that Iran remains open to “meaningful diplomacy” but will continue to resist any hostile or unjust measures from its European counterparts.

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