Istanbul (TDI): Iran and European powers met in Istanbul on Friday for what both sides described as “serious and frank” discussions on the future of Tehran’s nuclear program, just weeks before a key UN resolution is set to expire.
The four-hour meeting, the first in-person dialogue since Israel and the US launched airstrikes on Iranian targets last month, was held at Iran’s consulate in Istanbul and included senior officials from France, Germany, the UK, and the European Union. The talks aimed to break a diplomatic stalemate and revive nuclear inspections, according to the UN’s atomic watchdog.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, who led the Iranian delegation, said both sides put forward proposals, particularly around sanctions relief and future cooperation. However, he criticized what he called the West’s “aggressive posture” following recent military action.
“We conveyed our firm stance, including opposition to the snapback mechanism and the political pressure being exerted,” Gharibabadi said. “It was agreed that the dialogue will continue.”
The so-called “snapback” clause allows for the automatic reinstatement of UN sanctions if any party to the 2015 nuclear deal accuses Iran of non-compliance. That provision, tied to UN Security Council Resolution 2231, expires on October 18, unless re-triggered by late September.
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The European trio France, Germany, and the UK (known as the E3), are pushing Iran to commit to several steps if talks are to move forward. These include renewed cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), accountability for nearly 400 kg of enriched uranium, and future discussions with Washington.
The E3 reportedly wants Iran to demonstrate tangible steps before the end of August. This would create space to extend the resolution’s terms for up to six more months, giving diplomacy another chance.
Read More: EU Offers to Help Revive Iran Nuclear Talks
Speaking in Singapore, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said he was encouraged by the recent exchange and hopeful that inspection visits could resume before the end of the year. “There’s a willingness to move forward, but we need to talk through the technical and safety protocols,” Grossi said.
IAEA inspectors have been largely blocked from accessing key Iranian nuclear sites since tensions escalated earlier this year.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
