Iranian and European negotiators will meet in Istanbul on Friday in a fresh attempt to break the impasse over Tehran's nuclear dossier.
Representatives from Britain, France and Germany – the so-called E3 troika – will meet at the Iranian consulate for the first talks since the 12-day military conflict between Iran and Israel in June, when US bombers struck targets linked to the nuclear project.
The discussions focus on the chances of restoring sanctions on Iran, lifted in 2015, in exchange for Tehran agreeing to limit and control its nuclear program.
The mechanism for an “instant restart” of previously imposed restrictions remains “on the agenda,” said a European diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
“Tehran has been offered a possible delay in activating the snapback on the condition that it shows goodwill for negotiations, resumes full cooperation with the IAEA and addresses issues related to stockpiles of highly enriched uranium,” the source said.
European leaders have stressed that restrictions will return by the end of August unless tangible progress is made in curbing Iran's nuclear programme.
Meanwhile, Tehran says Washington, which withdrew from the 2015 deal during President Donald Trump's first term, needs to prove its credibility again at the negotiating table.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi noted that Iran's participation depends on “a number of key principles,” including “restoring trust, since Iran has completely lost faith in the United States.”
In his Thursday post, he also stressed that the talks should not serve as “an instrument for hidden aggressive plans, including military action.”
Mr Gharibabadi insisted on maintaining Tehran's right to enrich uranium “within the framework of its legitimate needs” and on the complete lifting of sanctions.
Iran has repeatedly warned that it will withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which commits it to refrain from developing nuclear weapons, if restrictions are reimposed.
On Friday, the talks will be held at the level of deputy foreign ministers. Iran will send Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-e-Ravanchi. A similar meeting already took place in Istanbul in May.
The names of the E3 representatives have not yet been disclosed, but the EU's Deputy Commissioner for External Affairs is expected to attend the talks.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
