Brussels (TDI): The European Union has signaled its readiness to help revive stalled negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program following recent US and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian facilities.
In a statement, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she had spoken by phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and urged a swift return to the negotiating table.
“Talks on Iran’s nuclear program should resume as soon as possible,” she said, adding that cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) must also be restored. “The EU is ready to facilitate this.”
Kallas also cautioned Tehran against escalating tensions, saying, “Any threats to withdraw from the non-proliferation treaty will only make matters worse.”
Read More: Iran Criticizes IAEA Chief’s Behavior
Her comments followed Araghchi’s remarks earlier this week in which he ruled out a quick return to talks with Washington, saying Iran would need guarantees it won’t face another attack before considering renewed engagement.
Indirect talks between Washington and Tehran on restoring the 2015 nuclear deal were still ongoing when Israeli forces struck several of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Days later, the United States also carried out airstrikes, hitting key sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan on June 21.
For years, the European Union has tried to keep diplomatic channels open on Iran’s nuclear issue.
Read More: No Talks Until US Halts Strikes: Iran
It was part of the 2015 agreement that aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
The EU had helped bring the sides together. But the deal began to fall apart after the United States pulled out in 2018, when President Donald Trump re-imposed sanctions on Tehran.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
