Iranian Media: Iran Agrees to Resume Nuclear Talks with Three European Countries

An Iranian media outlet has reported that Iran has agreed to resume nuclear negotiations with three European countries?Germany, France, and the United Kingdom (E3).

On July 20 (local time), the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim reported this development. A source stated, "An agreement has been reached on the principles of the negotiations, but discussions regarding the time and location are still ongoing."

This comes about a month after nuclear talks between the United States and Iran were suspended following last month's armed clashes between Israel and Iran, as well as U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

The source cited by the Iranian media said, "It has not been decided yet in which country the negotiations will take place next week." Considering this, it appears that the negotiation table could be reactivated as early as next week. Tasnim reported that Iran and the E3 are expected to hold talks at the deputy foreign minister level.

Iran's move comes just three days after the E3 and the European Union (EU) delivered a warning to Iran through the French Foreign Ministry on July 17, stating that they would initiate a "snapback" measure if there was no progress in the nuclear negotiations.

The snapback is a provision in the 2015 nuclear agreement (JCPOA, Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) between Iran and the West, which stipulates that if Iran does not freeze or limit its nuclear program as promised, United Nations sanctions will be reinstated.