Iran, Europe powers set for fresh nuclear talks in Geneva on January 13

A new round of talks between Iran and three European countries — Britain, France, and Germany — is scheduled for January 13 in Geneva.

This follows a previous round of discussions in November 2024, the first since the US elections, addressing Iran's controversial nuclear program, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

These talks came in the wake of a European-backed resolution that criticized Iran for its insufficient cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In response, Tehran informed the IAEA of plans to increase its uranium enrichment capacity by installing more centrifuges at its plants.

The November 29 meeting in Geneva, which was described as “candid” by Iranian official Gharibabadi, marked a discreet effort to ease tensions and engage in dialogue.

Iran maintains that its nuclear program is aimed solely at peaceful energy production and has long rejected claims that it seeks to develop nuclear weapons. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a fatwa, or religious decree, against the development of atomic arms.

Despite this, in December, UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi warned that Iran’s uranium enrichment activities had escalated, reaching up to 60 per cent purity, a level close to weapons-grade uranium, which requires about 90 per cent purity. Tehran has consistently denied any intention to develop nuclear weapons and insists its program is for peaceful purposes.

The controversy surrounding Iran’s nuclear activities escalated in 2018 when the Trump administration withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and reimposed heavy sanctions. In retaliation, Iran began violating key aspects of the agreement, including restarting its uranium enrichment at higher levels and deploying advanced centrifuges.

Efforts to revive the nuclear pact through indirect talks between the Biden administration and Tehran have stalled. However, during his election campaign in September, Trump emphasized the need for a deal, stating, "We have to make a deal because the consequences are impossible."

By Tamilla Hasanova