Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was scheduled to hold a call with his British, French, and German counterparts on Wednesday, as Tehran seeks to prevent the re-imposition of international sanctions related to its nuclear program.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, was also expected to join the talks, The Caspian Post reports citing foreign media.
A French diplomatic source said the discussions were aimed at reviewing the conditions under which the European powers, known as the E3, might delay activating the UN “snapback” mechanism - a process that would restore sanctions lifted under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal.
The move comes after the E3 initiated the one-month process to reimpose sanctions in August, citing Iran’s failure to meet commitments under the JCPOA. On Wednesday, Tehran called on the European states to adopt a “positive approach and goodwill.”
“It is a natural expectation that Iran’s positive approach and goodwill should be reciprocated by the European side… If some European parties start nagging, this is not enough. That would mean they do not accept the IAEA,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said, urging de-escalation.
Last week, Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reached an agreement to resume cooperation, including, in principle, renewed access for inspectors to nuclear sites. Resumed cooperation with the IAEA is one of three key conditions set by the E3 to delay the sanctions process.
The talks follow heightened tensions in June, when Israel and the United States struck Iranian nuclear facilities during a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran.
Both countries said Tehran was dangerously close to achieving nuclear weapons capability. IAEA inspections were suspended at that time, citing both security risks and Iranian objections.
The JCPOA, signed in 2015 by Iran, the United States, the E3, Russia, and China, imposed strict limits on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
The agreement began to unravel in 2018 after then-US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal and reinstated American sanctions.
Since then, Iran has gradually expanded its nuclear program, enriching uranium to levels far beyond civilian use, while obstructing international inspectors and developing its ballistic missile capabilities.
Israel has repeatedly warned that Tehran is edging closer to weaponization, a claim Iran denies, insisting its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
European states have sought to salvage the deal but have grown increasingly frustrated with Iran’s breaches. The snapback mechanism, if implemented, would restore a wide range of UN Security Council sanctions, isolating Iran diplomatically and economically.
Despite the escalating standoff, both sides have signaled that dialogue remains open. “We hope that with contacts, like today and future ones, all parties will come to the conclusion that escalating tensions and perpetuating the current situation is not in anyone’s interest,” Baghaei said.
