Iran, E3 talks on nuclear issue ongoing amid threat of sanctions
3 Min Read
Iran and the E3 have agreed in New York to continue nuclear talks as UN sanctions loom, with discussions on the Iranian side led by Abbas Araghchi.
-
The Iranian Foreign Ministry delegation, headed by Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi, meeting with representatives of E3 nations and the EU Foreign Policy chief Kaja Kallas in New York, United States, September 23, 2025 (Social media)
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Tehran has agreed with European powers to continue talks regarding its nuclear program, following a meeting aimed at reaching a deal that would spare Iran from the reimposition of UN sanctions.
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the foreign ministers of France, Britain, and Germany, along with the European Union's foreign policy chief, held talks with their Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry's statement said, "In light of the unjustified and unlawful move to reimpose UN Security Council sanctions, a number of ideas and proposals were put forward during the meeting to continue diplomatic efforts, and it was agreed that consultations would continue."
Meanwhile, a French diplomatic source said following the meeting that Iran has not yet met the conditions set by the three European countries to avoid the reimposition of UN sanctions, explaining that "discussions will continue to fully explore all possibilities."
The source added, "We will remain prepared until the very last moment. The ball is in Iran's court," stating that if no progress is made by the end of September 27, UN sanctions will be reimposed.
Team of inspectors was en route to Iran: Grossi
Previously, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said on Tuesday that a team of inspectors was en route to Iran, pending a potential last-minute agreement with European powers to avert the reimposition of international sanctions.
"Everything is possible. Where there is a will, there is a way," Grossi told reporters at the United Nations, adding, "We have our inspectors, and inspectors are on the way, and there is the possibility to start this work depending on the political will of Iran."
Araghchi warns against sanctions
On September 22, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned European countries that moving forward with the return of sanctions under the snapback mechanism would effectively invalidate Tehran’s recent agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
"In a press conference after the agreement with the IAEA, I emphasized that if the snapback is ultimately implemented, the agreement with the IAEA will also be invalidated," Araghchi said. "If the destructive action of the three European countries in the Security Council is ultimately implemented, Iran will react and we will again reach new conditions with the IAEA."
Araghchi added that the cooperation agreement with the IAEA was reached following the Israeli-US aggression on Iran's nuclear facilities in June and that any new sanctions would alter the terms of engagement.
