Tehran – Iranian state media announced that negotiations regarding the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the UK, France, and Germany are set to resume in Geneva on Tuesday, following a recent conflict involving Israel. State television confirmed, “On Tuesday, Iran and the three European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal, along with the European Union, will hold a new round of talks at the level of deputy foreign ministers in Geneva,” reports 24brussels.
This upcoming meeting is the second session following the hostilities that erupted in mid-June, when the United States began striking Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iran subsequently suspended its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), accusing the watchdog of failing to condemn the attacks against its nuclear infrastructure.
The three European nations have expressed intentions to activate a “snapback mechanism” from the 2015 nuclear agreement, reimposing UN sanctions unless Iran limits its uranium enrichment activities and revitalizes its relationship with IAEA inspectors. This mechanism has a deadline set for October; however, the Financial Times indicates that an extension might be proposed should Iran re-enter negotiations similar to those with Washington regarding IAEA reporting.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, maintained that Europe would not have the capacity to implement such measures. The nuclear agreement originally provided Iran with sanctions relief in exchange for adhering to strict limits on its nuclear program to ensure it could not develop a nuclear weapon, a pursuit Iran has consistently denied wishing to undertake.
In 2018, U.S. President Trump withdrew from the JCPOA, reinstating harsh economic sanctions. This action exacerbated diplomatic tensions and led to economic dislocations, compelling Iran to gradually disregard its commitments under the JCPOA’s uranium enrichment stipulations. Despite the U.S. exit, the UK, France, and Germany affirmed their continued commitment to the JCPOA, engaging with Iran while maintaining UN and European sanctions predating the U.S. withdrawal.
