Geneva (TDI): The German, French, and British foreign ministers will meet their Iranian counterpart in Geneva today in a new European effort to revive nuclear talks.
This follows mounting concerns that there can a spiral regional affect after Israel’s launched unprovoked attacks on Iran on June 13. The exchange of attacks has not stopped since.
European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will also hold talks with E3 foreign ministers before a joint meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, a German diplomatic source quoted.
This is the biggest European involvement in the Iranian nuclear crisis since the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), from which the US withdrew in 2018.
This meeting looks to secure firm guarantees from Tehran that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. The meeting will be followed by an experts’ dialogue to address technical and verification issues.
On Thursday, Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy said, “The Middle East situation remains risky. We are committed to ensuring that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon. There is a window in the next fortnight to achieve a diplomatic solution.”
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In the same vein, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said that Iran has indicated that it is prepared to return to the negotiating table, including with America, if a cease-fire is in place.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul appealed to Tehran to return to the table saying, “It’s never too late to sit down at the negotiating table.”
Iran maintains its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes and in compliance with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. But the threat of a US military strike, now that Israel has started a war, has put a strain on diplomacy.
President Trump, while reluctant about direct US intervention, has said the ultimate decision will be made in two weeks, depending on the progress of talks. European foreign ministers now have a very important job, in making a deal possible and preventing further escalation.
With the significant provisions of the 2015 deal expiring in October, the Geneva talks seem like the final chance to dial back tensions, maintain non-proliferation norms, and prevent the Middle East from descending into another protracted, debilitating conflict.
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