Iran and E3 to Resume Nuclear Deal Talks in Geneva on the 26th

E3 Warns of UN Sanctions Restoration if Talks Stall
Iran: "Negotiations Only if Legitimate Rights Are Guaranteed"

According to Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency on August 25, Iran and the three major European countries (E3: the United Kingdom, France, and Germany) are scheduled to meet in Geneva, Switzerland, on the 26th (local time) to resume the stalled nuclear negotiations.

Ayatollah Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran. Photo by AFP

Citing a diplomatic source, the outlet reported that "key agenda items at the talks will include issues related to Iran's nuclear program and whether to lift international sanctions." The negotiations will be held at the vice-ministerial level, with Iran's delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi.

This meeting is seen as a result of the three European countries increasing pressure on Iran. Recently, the E3 foreign ministers sent a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council, warning that "if Iran does not respond to negotiations by the end of this month, the 'snapback mechanism' to automatically reinstate UN sanctions will be triggered." The snapback mechanism refers to the restoration of sanctions, tariffs, or regulations to their original state, which had been temporarily eased or suspended under an agreement or accord.

In response, Iran has officially expressed its willingness to negotiate. On August 22, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in a phone call with the E3 foreign ministers and European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas that "Iran is prepared to accept a diplomatic solution, as long as its national interests are guaranteed."

The three European countries are key parties to the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement (JCPOA, Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), and they continue to pressure Iran based on the agreement's snapback provision. Under this clause, if a significant violation of the nuclear deal is determined, participating countries can automatically restore UN sanctions.

However, Iran has strongly objected to this provision. In particular, since the United States unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 under the Trump administration, Iran has criticized the E3 for effectively condoning this move and maintains the position that "the E3 now lacks the legitimacy to trigger the snapback mechanism."

Iran temporarily suspended negotiations after claiming that its nuclear facilities were damaged by attacks from the United States and Israel in June. On July 25, Iran resumed direct contact with the E3 in Istanbul, T?rkiye, and the upcoming Geneva meeting is a follow-up to those talks. However, a bilateral negotiation channel between the United States and Iran has not yet been opened.