Iran offers fresh diplomatic overture to E3 amid nuclear stalemate

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has extended a renewed diplomatic overture to the European signatories of the 2015 nuclear agreement, expressing readiness to visit Berlin, London and Paris in a bid to relaunch negotiations over Tehran's nuclear programme.

“I am ready to take the first step and visit Berlin, London and Paris to restart negotiations with the EU3 countries,” Araghchi said on X, referring to Germany, Great Britain and France, Caliber.Az reports.

“The ball is now in the E3’s court.”

Relations between Iran and the so-called E3 have worsened in recent years due to stalled diplomacy and growing nuclear tensions. Araghchi admitted the strain but called for a shift in direction.

“Iran's relations with the E3 have experienced ups and downs in recent history. Like it or not, they are currently down,” he stated. “To me, placing blame is a futile exercise. What matters is that the status quo is lose-lose.”

Recounting a diplomatic encounter last year, Araghchi said he had previously proposed a comprehensive dialogue during a meeting with his E3 counterparts in New York. “I offered dialogue… not only on the nuclear issue, but in each and every other area of mutual interest and concern,” he said. “They unfortunately chose the hard way.”

Following recent consultations in Moscow and Beijing, Araghchi reiterated his readiness to re-engage with Europe. “I once again propose diplomacy,” he said. “I was ready to do it before Iran commenced its indirect dialogue with the U.S., but the E3 opted out.”

He urged European leaders to act independently of domestic political constraints. “They have an opportunity to do away with the grip of Special Interest groups and forge a different path,” he said. “How we act at this critical junction is likely to define the foreseeable future.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev