Iranian and European diplomats will meet in Istanbul on Friday to begin a new attempt to break the impasse over Tehran's nuclear program.
Representatives from Britain, France and Germany, known as the E3 countries, will gather at the Iranian consulate for the first talks since Iran's 12-day war with Israel in June, which saw US bombers strike targets linked to its nuclear programme.
The talks focus on the possibility of restoring sanctions on Iran lifted in 2015 in exchange for Iran agreeing to limits and monitoring of its nuclear program.
The return of sanctions, known as the “snapback” mechanism, “remains on the agenda,” said a European diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.
“The Iranians were offered a possible delay in launching a reverse strike on the condition that Iran demonstrates credible diplomatic efforts, resumes full cooperation with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and addresses issues related to their stockpile of highly enriched uranium,” the diplomat said.
European leaders have said sanctions will be reimposed by the end of August unless progress is made in curbing Iran's nuclear programme.
Tehran, meanwhile, has said the United States, which withdrew from the 2015 deal during President Donald Trump's first term, needs to restore faith in its role in the talks.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran's participation depended on “several key principles,” including “restoring Iran's trust, because Iran has absolutely no trust in the United States.”
In a social media post on Thursday, he also said the talks should not be used “as a platform for hidden agendas such as military action.”
Mr Gharibabadi insisted that Iran's right to enrich uranium “in accordance with its legitimate needs” be respected and sanctions be lifted.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which obliges it to refrain from developing nuclear weapons, if sanctions are reimposed.
The talks on Friday will be held at the deputy minister level. Iran will send Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-e-Ravanchi. A similar meeting took place in Istanbul in May.
The identities of the E3 representatives are not yet known, but the EU Deputy Commissioner for Foreign Affairs is expected to attend the meeting.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
