France, Britain, and Germany have urged Iran to swiftly resume diplomatic dialogue regarding its nuclear program. They have also cautioned that if no concrete steps are taken by the end of summer, they will consider reinstating UN sanctions. In the words of a French diplomatic source, “The ministers called on Iran to resume diplomatic efforts immediately to achieve a verifiable and lasting nuclear deal.”
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This recent communication involved the foreign ministers of the E3 and the European Union’s foreign policy chief, connecting with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi for the first time since the air strikes conducted by Israel and the United States on Iran’s nuclear facilities in mid-June.
The E3, along with China and Russia, remains committed to the 2015 agreement that initially lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for limitations on its nuclear activities. The European nations have consistently warned that without a new nuclear accord, they will activate the so-called “snapback mechanism,” which entails reinstating all prior UN sanctions if Iran is found in breach of agreement terms. “The ministers reiterated their determination to employ the ‘snapback’ mechanism unless there is concrete progress toward such an agreement by the end of summer,” the source acknowledged, though specifics on what that progress would entail were not provided.
In the aftermath of the air strikes, inspectors from the UN atomic watchdog agency have withdrawn from Iran. Although Iran has signaled some openness to diplomacy, there are no imminent signs that a sixth round of nuclear talks between the US and Iran will take place soon. Diplomats note that even if discussions were to resume, reaching a comprehensive agreement by August— the E3’s deadline— seems unlikely, especially without inspectors on site to evaluate Iran’s ongoing nuclear activities.
Two European diplomats stated their intention to align strategies with the United States in the near future, with hopes of potentially initiating talks with Iran soon. As one diplomat put it, “Collaboration is crucial in navigating this complex landscape.”
In conclusion, the coming weeks will be pivotal in determining the future of diplomatic relations concerning Iran’s nuclear program and the broader regional implications.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
