European diplomats to hold nuclear talks with Iran on Friday, official says

A European official says that senior European diplomats will hold nuclear talks with Iran on Friday.

The high-ranking officials from Germany, France and the United Kingdom as well as the European Union’s top diplomat will gather for the meeting in Switzerland.

The European official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.

It comes as Trump is weighing approval for the US military to join Israel in carrying out strikes on Iran’s nuclear program.

A US official says there no plans for US involvement in the nuclear talks, although that could change.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private diplomatic communications, also notes that the Europeans have been wanting to play a role in the negotiations for months but have been held back by the US.

That position, the official says, may be changing as the hostilities intensify.

Also, a British official with knowledge of the situation in the Middle East says there “isn’t complete clarity” about the American plan in the region.

The official says they understand the US is still debating what to do but believe that “all options” are on the table.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to speak freely on the matter, says Trump wants to put pressure on Iran to do a deal and suggested he does not want to go to war.

The British official says the US is mounting a “very strong defensive response,” which allows a lot of choice “whichever way this goes,” but emphasizes that the US is framing the current operation as “primarily defensive.” That includes protecting US bases and personnel in the Middle East.