Iran, European powers agree to resume nuclear, sanctions talks next week

DUBAI — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his French, British and German counterparts agreed on Friday to resume talks next week on nuclear and sanctions issues, Iranian state media reported.

The three major European powers have threatened to re-activate United Nations sanctions on Iran under a “snapback” mechanism if Tehran does not return to negotiations on a deal to curb its disputed uranium enrichment program.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul confirmed talks next week and warned Iran that sanctions would snap back into effect unless it reached a verifiable and durable deal to defuse concerns about its nuclear ambitions. He reiterated that time was very short and Iran needed to engage substantively.

Iranian state media said Araghchi and the British, French and German foreign ministers agreed during a phone call for deputy foreign ministers to continue the talks on Tuesday.

During the call, Araghchi “emphasized the legal and moral incompetence of these countries to resort to the (snapback) mechanism, and warned of the consequences of such an action”, Iranian media reported.

The European trio, along with the US, contends that Iran is using the nuclear energy program to potentially develop weapons capability in violation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Iran, which openly seeks Israel’s destruction, has consistently denied seeking to acquire nuclear weapons. However, it enriched uranium to levels that have no peaceful application, obstructed international inspectors from checking its nuclear facilities, and expanded its ballistic missile capabilities. Israel, which targeted Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs during a 12-day war in June, said Iran had recently taken steps toward weaponization.

The Islamic Republic suspended nuclear negotiations with the United States, which were aimed at curbing its accelerating enrichment program, after the US and Israel bombed its nuclear sites during the war in June.

Since then, IAEA inspectors have been unable to access Iran’s nuclear installations, despite IAEA chief Rafael Grossi stating that inspections remain essential.

Iran and the three European powers last convened in Geneva on June 20, while the war was still raging, and there were few signs of progress.

Iran’s state broadcaster said an Iranian delegation was due to travel to Vienna on Friday to meet with IAEA officials. It gave no further details.