Iran suggests discussions with European nations as US nuclear talks advance

On Thursday, Iran‘s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, expressed his willingness to visit France, Germany, and Britain for discussions, as Tehran aimed to capitalize on the progress made in nuclear negotiations with the United States. The E3 nations—France, Germany, and Britain—indicated in December their readiness to reinstate all international sanctions on Iran to deter its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Since then, Tehran has been actively engaging in discussions regarding its nuclear program with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which, according to analysts and diplomats, has not been aligning its strategies with European partners.

Araqchi noted on X, ‘Iran’s relations with the E3 have had their fluctuations in recent times. Currently, they are at a low point, whether we like it or not.’ He reiterated his call for diplomacy, stating, ‘Following my recent talks in Moscow and Beijing, I am prepared to initiate discussions by visiting Paris, Berlin, and London. The next move is up to the E3.’

On Monday, Trump remarked that the U.S. had productive discussions with Iran, just two days after the second round of negotiations concerning Tehran’s nuclear program. The third round is scheduled for Saturday in Oman.

Trump, who withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement between Tehran and global powers in 2018, has warned of potential military action against Iran unless a new agreement is swiftly reached to prevent its nuclear weapon development.

Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and is open to negotiating limited restrictions on its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that any agreement with the United States would require Iran to cease uranium enrichment and only allow imports necessary for a civilian nuclear program.

Iran has asserted that its right to enrich uranium is non-negotiable. In response to Rubio’s remarks, a senior Iranian official associated with the negotiating team reiterated on Wednesday that ‘zero enrichment is unacceptable.’