Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: One was killed in the raid carried out by an Israeli drone on a motorcycle in the town of Yohmor al-Shaqif
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 62 martyrs killed by IOF in Gaza since morning, including 32 aid seekers.
Reuters: More than 20 injured in Los Angeles, including four critically, after a car rammed into a crowd
NNA: A civilian was killed in a drone strike while fixing plumbing on a rooftop in Matal al-Jabal, on the outskirts of al-Khiam
Israeli media: In coordination with US, Israeli authorities approved Syrian regime plan to deploy thousands of internal security forces in Sweida to enforce ceasefire.
Al-Sharaa: We thank tribes for their stance, not all Druze can be judged for actions of a few.
Al-Sharaa: Syria not a testing field for secessionist plans.
Al-Sharaa: We laud US for role in securing ceasefire, Syrian state is only side capable of preserving country's sovereignty.
Al-Sharaa: Israeli intervention is one of reasons of return of tensions in Suweida following blatant bombing of South and Damascus.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa: We received international calls to intervene in situation in Suweida and restore security.

Iran holds nuclear talks with Europe amid sanctions threat

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 16 May 2025 15:36
  • 2 Shares
4 Min Read

Iran and European powers hold nuclear talks in Istanbul amid US pressure and threats of 'snapback' sanctions.

Listen
  • x
  • Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sits for a meeting with the International Atomic Energy Agency director in Tehran on November 14, 2024 (Atta Kenare/AFP)
    Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sits for a meeting with the International Atomic Energy Agency director in Tehran on November 14, 2024. (Atta Kenare/AFP)

Iranian negotiators met with representatives from Britain, France, and Germany in Istanbul on Friday to discuss the future of the 2015 nuclear agreement, as threats of renewed sanctions hover over the talks.

The meeting follows a series of indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington and comes amid warnings from Iran that unilateral moves by European powers could trigger serious consequences.

A diplomatic source speaking to the Agence-France Presse (AFP) on condition of anonymity confirmed that the Istanbul meeting began early Friday. The talks, held at the deputy foreign minister level, are not expected to continue into Saturday.

The meeting between Tehran and the three European powers, commonly referred to as the E3, comes as they weigh whether to invoke the 2015 deal’s “snapback” mechanism. The clause would reinstate UN sanctions on Iran over alleged non-compliance, though the deadline to do so expires in October.

Such a move, Tehran warns, would only worsen global security. “This risks provoking a global nuclear proliferation crisis that would primarily affect Europeans themselves,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.

Araghchi: Tehran will not yield on enrichment rights

Abbas Araghchi authored an op-ed in the French weekly Le Point, where he articulated Iran's readiness to "turn the page" in its relations with Europe.

However, he reiterated that Iran will not compromise on its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.

Related News

Erdogan slams Israeli strikes on Syria, says will not accept division

Arab, regional states reaffirm support for Syria sovereignty

“The dismantling of enrichment is not accepted by Iran,” Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, stated earlier this week. He added that all nuclear activities remain under the supervision of the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Iran currently enriches uranium to 60%, still below the 90% required for weaponization. Iranian officials maintain that the program is strictly civilian and that enrichment levels are “non-negotiable,” though temporary limits on enrichment quantity and level may be discussed.

Separate track: US-Iran diplomacy continues

The Istanbul meeting follows a fourth round of indirect US-Iran nuclear talks, mediated by Oman, which Tehran described as “difficult but useful.” A US official told reporters the dialogue left Washington “encouraged.”

While US President Donald Trump claimed Thursday during a visit to Qatar that a deal was “getting close,” Iranian officials have dismissed reports that the US presented a formal written proposal. “We have not been given anything,” Araghchi said in response to an Axios report. Still, he affirmed Iran’s readiness to build trust and ensure transparency in exchange for sanctions relief.

“We are ready to build trust and transparency about our nuclear programme in response to the lifting of sanctions,” Araghchi told reporters.

Trump said that the US had extended an “olive branch,” warning, however, that the offer would not remain on the table indefinitely. “We’re not going to be making any nuclear dust in Iran,” he remarked.

Ahead of the Istanbul meeting, China reaffirmed its support for a diplomatic resolution to the nuclear issue. “China remains committed to promoting a political and diplomatic settlement,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.

Beijing also emphasized its opposition to illegal unilateral sanctions and expressed appreciation for Iran’s continued commitment to non-proliferation, “We value Iran’s commitment to not develop nuclear weapons, respect its peaceful use of nuclear energy, and oppose all illegal unilateral sanctions,” Lin added.

The 2015 JCPOA offered sanctions relief in exchange for strict limits on Iran’s nuclear program, enforced by the IAEA. However, the agreement unraveled in 2018 when Trump, during his first term, unilaterally withdrew from the deal and reimposed sweeping sanctions on Iran’s oil exports and financial sector.

Faced with European inaction and failure to abide by the agreement, Tehran responded by gradually scaling back its commitments under the accord while maintaining that its program remains peaceful. 

  • Turkey
  • Snapback Mechanism
  • Sanctions on Iran
  • Iran nuclear talks
  • Abbas Araghchi
  • Iran

Most Read

Algerian nurse stabbed in Germany

Murder of Algerian nurse in Germany sparks outcry, demands for justice

  • Europe
  • 14 Jul 2025
Credible reports, including some from Israeli media itself, indicate that Tel Aviv had pinned its hopes on what can only be described as a delusional plan. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Jebraily: Iran strikes rewrote regional deterrence rules - Exclusive

  • MENA
  • 15 Jul 2025
Al-Qassam Brigades fighters confront Israeli soldiers in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

3 Israeli soldiers killed amid Gaza battles: Israeli media

  • Palestine
  • 14 Jul 2025
Donald Trump, the Corporate Aristocracy and the Israelization of the World

Donald Trump, the Corporate Aristocracy and the Israelization of the World

  • Opinion
  • 15 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The US Capitol, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Washington (AP)
Politics

Congress set to weaken oversight on foreign US arms sales

Only quarter of Americans say Trump policies helped them: Poll
US & Canada

Only quarter of Americans say Trump policies helped them: Poll

UK charities fund Israeli settlement expansion in occupied West Bank
Palestine

UK charities fund Israeli settlement expansion in occupied West Bank

Calls grow to remove Netanyahu from High School hall of fame
Politics

Calls grow to remove Netanyahu from high school Hall of Fame

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS