Iran may meet Europeans in Rome before US talks – diplomats

Post by : Omar Nasser

Photo : AFP

Iran wants to keep working on its talks about its nuclear program with the United States. After a meeting in Oman last Saturday and talks with Russia and China, Iran now hopes to meet with three European countries—Britain, France, and Germany—this Friday in Rome.

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Four diplomats said Iran made this offer after the meeting with the U.S. But the European side has not yet replied. If the meeting in Rome cannot happen, Iran said it could also host the meeting in Tehran, its capital, before Friday.

These three countries (called the E3) are part of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. This deal was made to stop Iran from making nuclear weapons. In return, other countries agreed to stop punishing Iran with strong rules called "sanctions."

But that deal might end soon. In October, a special rule at the United Nations will expire. If no new deal is made before then, some countries want to bring back the old sanctions. Iran wants to know what the E3 countries think about this before the next meeting with the U.S.

Iranian leaders say the talks with the U.S. are moving slowly. They don’t want a short-term deal because they don’t fully trust the U.S. They worry that if they follow the rules, the other side might not. That’s why they want to talk more with Europe—to make sure everyone agrees on the same steps.

An Iranian official said, “Meeting with the E3 this week will help us stay in agreement before the next U.S. meeting.”

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, said he is ready to visit Europe to talk, but also said Europe must now decide what to do. Since last September, Iran has met the E3 a few times, including a meeting in March where they talked about what a future deal could look like.

Back in 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump left the 2015 deal and brought back hard sanctions. He even warned that he might attack Iran if they don’t agree to a new deal. Many Western countries think Iran is trying to make nuclear weapons, but Iran says this is not true and that their program is peaceful.

Because the U.S. left the 2015 deal, it can’t ask the U.N. to bring back the old sanctions. But the E3 still can. That’s why Iran is also trying to talk to them.

When asked if the meeting with Europe was about these sanctions, the Iranian official said yes, it was one reason. “We need more time. We are ready to stop some nuclear work, but we want trust and a proper plan,” the official said.