Europe, Iran talks in Geneva to be held with US consultation: CNN
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European foreign ministers and the EU High Representative are set to engage in "exploratory" talks with Iran in Geneva tomorrow.
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Demonstrators wave Iranian and Hezbollah flags as one holds a poster of the late Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Tehran, Iran, June 14, 2025 (AP)
A Western European diplomat informed CNN that the upcoming discussions in Switzerland tomorrow, involving Iran, the UK, Germany, France, and the European Union, will be conducted in coordination with the Trump administration.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to visit Geneva, Switzerland, for discussions with European officials tomorrow, as a diplomat explained to CNN that the purpose of these talks is "exploratory" in nature, intended to assess the potential for progress by "testing the waters" to determine what might be achievable.
Europe's diplomatic efforts stand in stark opposition to the rhetoric coming from Washington, where US President Donald Trump has openly considered military strikes against Iran while demanding the complete and unconditional capitulation of the country's leadership.
E3 condemns Iran, forgets Israeli unprovoked aggression
The foreign ministers of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the High Representative of the European Union said they held a phone conversation with the Iranian foreign minister on June 16, regarding the ongoing Israeli aggression on Iran.
The ministers of the E3 nations, along with the European Union’s High Representative, conveyed their deep concern over the rising tensions in the Middle East, emphasizing the need for all parties to exercise restraint, avoid actions that could worsen instability in the region, and recommit to diplomatic engagement as the path forward.
The E3 ministers and the European Union’s High Representative reiterated their unwavering commitment to maintaining stability and security in the region, while also claiming that "Israel" has the legitimate "right to defend itself" and safeguard its citizens, provided that it adheres to international law.
In the statement, the ministers reiterated their concern over Iran's nuclear programme, claiming it exceeds any civilian applications, and their fears over what they called Iran's "non-compliance" with its "legally binding safeguard obligations."
Contrary to what the FMs stated, the IAEA had not reported any non-compliance on Iran's side until the end of May, when the nuclear watchdog released a report alleging Iran held undeclared activity involving undeclared nuclear materials in three sites: Lavisan-Shian, Varamin, and Turquzabad.
Prior to the report's release, Iranian political sources revealed to Al Mayadeen that the European trio of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom were pressuring the IAEA to issue negative reports on Iran, in a pressure campaign that started before the nuclear talks between Iran and the US even started.
Meanwhile, the E3's statement further urged Iran to take immediate and substantive action to reengage in negotiations to facilitate a diplomatic resolution, while also cautioning against any potential move by Tehran to withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which they stressed would have serious consequences for regional and global security.
