Iran to hold nuclear talks with European Troika amid rising tensions

Iran is set to engage in talks on nuclear issues with the European troika—France, Germany, and the UK (E3)—on November 29, amid rising tensions over a resolution initiated by these countries and adopted by the UN nuclear watchdog.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that deputy foreign ministers from the four nations will meet to discuss a range of topics, including bilateral relations, regional concerns, and nuclear matters. However, the specific location for the talks has not been disclosed, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

This announcement follows Iran’s activation of advanced centrifuges, a move made in retaliation to a resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) board of governors.

The resolution, which was drafted by France, Germany, and the UK with US support, was adopted during the IAEA meeting in Vienna last week. It condemned Iran for not fully cooperating with the UN nuclear agency and urged Tehran to address concerns over uranium particles allegedly found at two of its nuclear sites.

The resolution received 19 votes in favour, with Russia, China, and Burkina Faso opposing it, while 12 countries abstained. In response, Iran activated a significant number of advanced centrifuges, justifying the action as necessary to "protect its interests and advance its peaceful nuclear industry," in line with its "rights and obligations" under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.

Baghaei emphasized Iran’s commitment to "interaction and cooperation with other nations" and noted that the upcoming talks are part of ongoing discussions initiated during the recent UN General Assembly meeting in New York. These talks will cover a broad range of regional and international issues, including the situations in Palestine and Lebanon, alongside nuclear matters.

Iran’s newly-elected government, led by President Masoud Pezeshkian, had previously expressed a desire to reopen diplomatic channels with the West and seek sanctions relief. However, the ongoing developments in Gaza and Lebanon have complicated these efforts.

Nuclear diplomacy with Iran faltered during the previous tenure of US President Donald Trump, who withdrew the United States from the 2015 nuclear deal that had limited Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

By Khagan Isayev