Europe in potential negotiations with Iran, reports say, as Iranian officials suggest preliminary talks with European counterparts prior to any future negotiations with the United States.
Revised Article:
Looks like Iran is keen on chatting with the old gang - the European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal - potentially as early as this coming Friday in fabulous Rome. A handful of diplomatic insiders spilled the beans on Monday, but the Europeans are yet to bite on the invite, as of now.
The Iranians are riding high on the buzz from the nuclear negotiations with the U.S. that got rolling in Oman over the weekend, plus their recent tete-a-tetes with Russia and China. The E3 (Britain, France, and Germany) better watch their backs, because it seems Tehran wants to fish for where the Europeans stand on the possible re-imposition of U.N. sanctions before October, when the resolution ratifying the 2015 accord expires.
Scoops from a couple of E3 diplomats and a Western diplomat suggest that Iran dropped a line after last Saturday's U.S. chats proposing a Rome rendezvous on Friday. If that don't work out, they've got Tehran on standby too, the diplomats claim.
Remember back in the day when the second round of negotiations between Washington and Tehran took place in Rome? Yeah, the Iranians said some serious differences were still lingering. An Iranian official confirmed the proposal, but said the E3 haven't responded yet.
The E3 are thinking hard about whether it's worth engaging Iran now or if they should wait and see what transpires between the U.S. and Iran. But a meeting in Tehran? Forget about it.
An Iranian official stated that it's essential to remain on the same page with all parties to the 2015 deal. Scheduling a get-together with the E3 before the next round with the Americans would be a smart move, the official opined.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi boldly declared he's ready to hop over to Europe for talks, but it's looking like the ball's in Europe's court right now, since relations have soured between the two sides.
Since September, Tehran and the three European powers have met several times to hash out their differences and talk nuclear. The latest gabfest in March focused on the parameters of a future deal to roll back Iran's nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions.
Trump, who scuttled the 2015 pact between Tehran and world powers back in 2018, has been swinging his big stick and threatening to take a whack at Iran unless they quickly ink a new deal that prevents 'em from developing a nuclear weapon.
The West suspects Iran is working on building the big one, which they deny. The threat of renewed sanctions is meant to force Tehran into concessions, making discussions on strategy between the Americans and Europeans vital, diplomats say.
Because the U.S. skipped out on the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, they can't initiate its snapback mechanism at the U.N. Security Council. That leaves the E3 as the only parties capable and inclined to pursue snapback.
When asked if the proposal to meet the Europeans is about snapback, the Iranian official hinted that was part of the plan. "Talks with the U.S., especially on the nuclear steps, aren't progressing at a snappy pace, and it's obvious we need more time," the official stated. "Iran needs the Europeans to understand that we want a new deal, and we're ready to take steps to limit our enrichment, but we need time."
The weazels at the British and German foreign ministries declined to comment on whether Iran has proposed a meeting this week. The French foreign ministry didn't get back to us for comment.
Enrichment Insights:- The proposed meeting in Rome is scheduled for May 2, as reported by various diplomatic sources[1][2][3].- The main purpose of the meeting is for Iran to gauge European positions on the potential re-imposition of U.N. sanctions before October[3][5].- The E3 have not yet responded to Iran’s meeting proposal as of April 28–29 reports[3][4].- The proposed meeting follows recent U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Oman and consultations with Russia and China[1][2].
- The tech world is abuzz with news of potential AI implementations as the world awaits the outcomes of the ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and the European parties (E3) to the 2015 nuclear deal.
- The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, has confirmed his readiness for travel to Europe for talks, but has cautioned that the snapback of U.N. sanctions remains a concern for Iran, especially in the context of policy-and-legislation and politics surrounding general news.
- A meeting in Rome between the Iranian delegation and the E3 (Britain, France, and Germany) has been proposed, aiming to provide an opportunity for discussions on limits to Iran's enrichment and future nuclear deals before the October deadline.
- While the Trump administration has initially abandoned a 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, the E3 continues to show interest in pursuing snapback, given their shared concern over Iran's alleged work on building a nuclear weapon.
- The proposed get-together with the E3 could serve as a valuable platform for Iran to address its concerns and reaffirm its intentions on limiting enrichment and the prospect of a new deal.
- The travel and diplomatic community should keep a keen eye on developments between Iran and the E3, for any progress or changes in policy and legislation could have a significant impact on international relations regarding tech, AI, and nuclear arms control.
