E3 nations meeting: Iran’s stance and nuclear enrichment highlighted
As a key meeting with European powers approaches, Iran has reaffirmed its right to continue enriching uranium amid threats of renewed nuclear sanctions.
The upcoming meeting in Istanbul will convene Iranian officials with representatives from Britain, France, and Germany, as well as the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, marking the first such gathering since Israel’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities sparked a 12-day conflict that concluded with a ceasefire on June 24.
According to Tasnim news agency, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that it’s critical for European countries to recognize Iran’s unwavering position, especially in light of the recent conflict, and that uranium enrichment activities will continue unabated.
Both Israel and the United States took part in the military campaign against Iran’s nuclear sites, with the strikes occurring just before scheduled negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has indicated willingness for further talks with the US if trust can be meaningfully restored.
Gharibabadi emphasized that for negotiations to proceed, Tehran expects several “key principles” to be respected, including rebuilding trust, eliminating any hidden agendas, and ensuring no possibility of military action against Iran.
The E3 nations—Britain, France, and Germany—along with China, Russia, and the US, were originally parties to the 2015 nuclear agreement which placed extensive limits on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for the gradual lifting of UN sanctions.
However, the US pulled out of the agreement in 2018 and imposed its own sanctions, despite the E3’s continued support for the agreement and efforts to maintain trade with Iran.
Western countries and Israel have maintained that Iran is secretly pursuing a nuclear arsenal, allegations Iran denies, arguing its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, such as energy production.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports have shown that Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed country currently enriching uranium to 60 percent, exceeding the 3.67 percent limit set by the 2015 agreement, though ninety percent enrichment is necessary for nuclear weapons.
Previous nuclear talks had taken place in five rounds, but the planned meeting on June 15 was scrapped following Israel’s strikes on Iran.
The upcoming meeting in Istanbul will convene Iranian officials with representatives from Britain, France, and Germany, as well as the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, marking the first such gathering since Israel’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities sparked a 12-day conflict that concluded with a ceasefire on June 24.
According to Tasnim news agency, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that it’s critical for European countries to recognize Iran’s unwavering position, especially in light of the recent conflict, and that uranium enrichment activities will continue unabated.
Both Israel and the United States took part in the military campaign against Iran’s nuclear sites, with the strikes occurring just before scheduled negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has indicated willingness for further talks with the US if trust can be meaningfully restored.
Gharibabadi emphasized that for negotiations to proceed, Tehran expects several “key principles” to be respected, including rebuilding trust, eliminating any hidden agendas, and ensuring no possibility of military action against Iran.
The E3 nations—Britain, France, and Germany—along with China, Russia, and the US, were originally parties to the 2015 nuclear agreement which placed extensive limits on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for the gradual lifting of UN sanctions.
However, the US pulled out of the agreement in 2018 and imposed its own sanctions, despite the E3’s continued support for the agreement and efforts to maintain trade with Iran.
Western countries and Israel have maintained that Iran is secretly pursuing a nuclear arsenal, allegations Iran denies, arguing its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, such as energy production.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports have shown that Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed country currently enriching uranium to 60 percent, exceeding the 3.67 percent limit set by the 2015 agreement, though ninety percent enrichment is necessary for nuclear weapons.
Previous nuclear talks had taken place in five rounds, but the planned meeting on June 15 was scrapped following Israel’s strikes on Iran.
