European top diplomats seek engagement with Iran as Middle East tensions escalate

The foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany are poised to hold a pivotal meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on June 20, marking the first direct diplomatic engagement since Israel launched its recent strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities.

While the meeting’s final confirmation from Tehran remains pending, the proposed face-to-face talks signal a potential diplomatic breakthrough after five days of intense Israeli bombardment, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Earlier this week, Araghchi held phone discussions with his European counterparts but has so far declined to meet with US Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, citing the ongoing Israeli attacks and Washington’s implicit approval of these operations. Araghchi has stated it is “impossible to meet Witkoff while the Iranians are under assault from Israel.”

Ahead of the Geneva meeting, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy is scheduled to confer with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington to coordinate efforts addressing the escalating Middle Eastern crisis. The talks in Geneva will also include the participation of the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas.

The central focus of the discussions will be Iran’s willingness to curtail or potentially dismantle its nuclear program, a contentious issue at the heart of the ongoing conflict. In a social media statement released on June 18, Araghchi asserted Iran’s defensive stance, emphasizing: “Iran has proven in action what it has always publicly committed itself to: we have never sought and will never seek nuclear weapons.” He further affirmed Iran’s continued commitment to diplomacy, noting, “Iran remain[s] committed to diplomacy. As before, we are serious and forward-looking in our outlook,” while excluding Israel from these diplomatic overtures.

In contrast to the hardline rhetoric from US President Donald Trump, who has called for Iran’s unconditional surrender and even urged the evacuation of Tehran, the European powers have advocated for de-escalation and space for dialogue. None of the three European states have endorsed external regime change in Iran or directly supported Israel’s military campaign, instead acknowledging Israel’s right to self-defence under international law.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has remarked on the broader geopolitical dynamics, suggesting that regime changes can occur and alleging that Israel is undertaking actions on behalf of other powers.

The UK, France, and Germany remain signatories to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which permits Iran to enrich uranium to low levels under strict international supervision. Despite the United States’ withdrawal from the agreement in 2018 and Iran’s subsequent partial withdrawal a year later, the European trio has maintained its commitment to the deal. The US continues to demand the complete cessation of Iran’s domestic uranium enrichment program.

By Vafa Guliyeva