Iran, European trio agree to resume nuclear talks next week: Reports

ANKARA

Iran and the European trio – the UK, France, and Germany – have agreed in principle to resume nuclear negotiations next week, Iranian state broadcaster Press TV reported on Sunday.

Citing a source, the media organization said both sides have agreed to restart talks, but the time and place of the negotiations are yet to be finalized.

In talks with Iran’s foreign minister on Thursday, the top diplomats of the UK, France, Germany, and the EU had emphasized the urgency of returning to diplomacy for a nuclear deal, or else they were prepared to trigger the UN "snapback" mechanism — reimposing international sanctions.

Talks between Tehran and the US were being held through Omani mediators until Israel’s surprise attack on Iran on June 13, which triggered a 12-day war. The attack came just two days before a planned sixth round of negotiations in Muscat.

Iran accused the US of complicity in the Israeli attack, which killed top Iranian military officials, nuclear scientists, and civilians. The US also launched strikes on three major Iranian nuclear sites, claiming to have them obliterated. A ceasefire took effect on June 24.

While the US and Europeans say Iran can never have a nuclear bomb, Tehran argues its program is meant for peaceful use of nuclear power.

After the talks with E3 and EU, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said it was the US that withdrew from the 2015 nuclear, and any new round of talks is only possible “when the other side is ready for a fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial nuclear deal.”

“If EU/E3 want to have a role, they should act responsibly, and put aside the worn-out policies of threat and pressure, including the "snap-back" for which they lack absolutely no moral and legal ground,” he said on X.