Iran held frank talks with European powers on Friday, amid warnings that sanctions could be triggered if the three countries don’t lift their restrictions. The meeting in Istanbul was the first since Israel’s attack on Iran in mid-June, which led to an intensive conflict and US strikes against key Iranian nuclear sites.
European nations, known as the E3, have threatened to trigger a “snapback mechanism” under a 2015 nuclear deal that would reinstate UN sanctions on Iran by August. However, the talks were seen as constructive, with Iranian diplomats stating they discussed sanctions relief and the nuclear issue in a “serious and detailed” manner.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said consultations on this matter will continue. The European countries are among the remaining parties to the 2015 deal, which Iran had agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for global sanctions relief.
The talks come as Iran considers its right to enrich uranium a “non-negotiable” issue. Tehran says it’s open to discussing enrichment levels but not the right itself. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has proposed restarting technical-level discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme with the UN nuclear watchdog, which Iran has indicated it will be ready for.
The meeting in Istanbul is a significant development amid tensions between Iran and its international partners. If the EU triggers sanctions, it could deepen Iran’s isolation and pressure its already strained economy.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/25/iran-is-meeting-european-powers-amid-threats-of-renewed-nuclear-sanctions