US excludes Europe from Iran negotiations, ignoring crucial diplomatic influence

Washington's decision to exclude European nations from discussions about its negotiations with Iran on April 12 will diminish its leverage and increase the likelihood of U.S. and Israeli military action against Tehran, according to analysts and diplomats.

The United States failed to inform European countries about the nuclear talks in Oman prior to President Donald Trump's announcement on April 8, even though these nations hold significant influence over the potential reimposition of U.N. sanctions on Tehran, three European diplomats stated, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The United States will require a coordinated diplomatic strategy with its European allies as it enters negotiations with Iran, according to Blaise Misztal, Vice President for Policy at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, Misztal emphasised that this coordination is "crucial to making sure that there is maximum pressure and any diplomatic option has a chance of success".

President Trump, who revived a "maximum pressure" campaign against Tehran in February, reiterated on Wednesday his threat to resort to military action if Iran fails to halt its nuclear programme, adding that Israel would take the lead in such a scenario.

Diplomatic sources revealed that the E3 – the United Kingdom, France, and Germany – informed Iran that they would activate the snapback mechanism by the end of June. Iran, in response, warned that such a move would result in severe consequences and a reassessment of its nuclear doctrine.

A senior European diplomat noted, "The E3 do not trust the United States because it is taking initiatives without them being consulted."

European officials have held some meetings with their US counterparts but expressed concerns that these discussions have not been thorough enough.

The E3 officials also mentioned that even arranging a meeting on Iran with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which was to take place on the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers' meeting a week before Trump's latest announcement, proved challenging.

When asked if they had been informed of the talks in Oman in advance, the foreign ministries of the UK, France, and Germany did not provide a direct response.

By Aghakazim Guliyev