Iran will resume nuclear talks with Britain, France, and Germany on Tuesday in Geneva, Iranian state media reported. The discussions, also attended by the European Union, will take place at the deputy foreign ministers’ level and mark the latest attempt to revive the stalled Iran nuclear deal talks.
This will be the second meeting since Iran’s 12-day war with Israel in June, which also saw the United States carry out strikes against Tehran’s nuclear facilities. The previous round of discussions was held in Istanbul on July 25.
European Threat of UN Sanctions Looms
The European trio have warned Tehran that they could trigger the “snapback mechanism” under the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This would reimpose United Nations sanctions lifted under the agreement unless Iran reduces uranium enrichment and restores cooperation with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors.
Iran has strongly rejected the move, accusing Britain, France, and Germany of failing to uphold their obligations under the accord.
Fallout From the June War With Israel
Iran suspended direct negotiations with the United States following the June conflict with Israel, during which Washington and Tel Aviv launched strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. Israel said the attacks targeted Iran’s nuclear scientists, enrichment facilities, missile program, and top military officials in order to stop what it called Tehran’s “plan to destroy the Jewish state.”
In response, Iran launched more than 500 ballistic missiles and 1,100 drones at Israel, killing 31 people and injuring over 3,000, according to Israeli health officials.
The Future of the JCPOA and Sanctions Relief
The JCPOA, signed in 2015 by Iran and six world powers, provided Tehran with sanctions relief in exchange for limiting its nuclear activities to ensure it could not build a nuclear weapon. Iran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear arms.
However, the United States unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump, reimposing harsh sanctions that led Iran to gradually roll back its commitments, especially on uranium enrichment.
While Britain, France, and Germany reaffirmed their support for the deal at the time, their proposed financial mechanism to shield European firms from U.S. sanctions failed to take effect. Many companies pulled out of Iran, deepening the country’s economic crisis.
October Deadline for Snapback Mechanism
The deadline for triggering the snapback mechanism is set for October. According to the Financial Times, European powers may extend the deadline if Iran resumes talks with Washington and reopens cooperation with the IAEA. But Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has insisted that the Europeans “have no right” to invoke the clause.
Despite Iran’s denial of any intention to develop nuclear weapons, its enrichment of uranium to levels with no civilian use, restrictions on inspectors, and expansion of ballistic missile programs remain at the heart of Western concerns.
