Iran will hold nuclear talks with European nations in Turkey, first since ceasefire with Israel
The talks, to be held in Istanbul on Friday, will be the first since a ceasefire was reached after a 12-day war waged by Israel against Iran in June, which also saw the United States strike nuclear-related facilities in the Islamic Republic. A similar meeting had been held in the Turkish city in May.
The discussions will bring Iranian officials together with officials from Britain, France and Germany — known as the E3 nations — and will include the European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas.
'The topic of the talks is clear, lifting sanctions and issues related to the peaceful nuclear programme of Iran," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said in his weekly briefing. He said the meeting will be held at the deputy ministerial level.
Under a 2015 deal designed to cap Iran's nuclear activities, Iran agreed to tough restrictions on its international programme in exchange for an easing of sanctions.
The deal began to unravel in 2018, when the United States pulled out of it and began to reimpose certain sanctions. European countries have recently threatened to trigger the 2015 deal's 'snapback' mechanism, which would allow sanctions to be reimposed in the case of non-compliance by Tehran.
German Foreign Ministry spokesperson Martin Giese, asked who Germany will send to the talks and what its expectations are, said that 'the talks are taking place at expert level'.
'Iran must never come into possession of a nuclear weapon,' so Germany, France and Britain are 'continuing to work... at high pressure on a sustainable and verifiable diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear programme,' he said. 'This course of action is also coordinated with the US.' 'It's very clear that, should no solution be reached by the end of August... snapback remains an option for the E3,' Giese told reporters in Berlin.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Sunday the three European nations lack 'any legal, political, and moral standing' to invoke such mechanisms, and accused Britain, France and Germany of failing to uphold their commitments in the deal.
'Attempting to trigger snapback' under these circumstances, in defiance of established facts and prior communications, constitutes an abuse of process that the international community must reject,' Araghchi said.
He also criticised the three European nations for 'providing political and material support to the recent unprovoked and illegal military aggression of the Israeli regime and the US'.
The US bombed three major Iranian nuclear sites in Iran in June as Israel waged an air war with Iran. Nearly 1,100 people were killed in Iran, including many military commanders and nuclear scientists, while 28 were killed in Israel.
Araghchi stressed in the letter that his country is ready for diplomatic solutions.
After US President Donald Trump pulled his country out of the 2015 deal, Iran has gradually increased its nuclear activities, including enriching uranium up to 60%, a step away from weapons-grade nuclear materials, or 90% enrichment of uranium.
Iran denies allegations it is seeking a nuclear weapon and has long said its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
28 minutes ago
- First Post
India resets Libya priority: Security forces return to embassy, eyes on oil and strategic depth
With oil prices volatile and supply chains under strain, India eyes Libya as a critical addition to its long-term energy security strategy read more India's decision to deploy security forces at its embassy in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, appears as a calculated strategic move, far beyond a simple signal amid a still chaotic situation in the North African nation. The embassy was reopened in July 2024, five years after India closed its mission there in April 2019 amid growing security concerns, prompting a full evacuation of both civilian and security personnel. Now, with shifting geopolitical dynamics and looming energy uncertainties, India's return to Tripoli carries critical economic and diplomatic significance. On Sunday, CRPF director general GP Singh said that the paramilitary force will soon send its personnel to Libya to secure the embassy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Libya's decade of instability Libya has remained deeply unstable since the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi. Rival factions have continued to control separate territories in the east and west, hindering national unification efforts. In 2014, India repatriated approximately 3,800 of its nationals from Libya, including six who had been abducted by the Islamic State. Persistent insecurity over the years kept India and other nations at bay, but current developments suggest a potential turning point in Libya's political and economic environment. An opportune return amid oil import turbulence India's diplomatic reengagement with Libya comes at a time of mounting uncertainty in its oil supply chain. With potential secondary sanctions from the United States and the European Union threatening India's heavy reliance on Russian crude, securing alternative energy partners has become urgent. For a country that imports nearly 85 per cent of its energy needs, diversification is not just a policy option—it is an economic necessity. The timing of the embassy reopening is strategic, allowing India to explore new trade avenues in Libya's underutilised oil sector. Recently, India's Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also allayed fears of likely impact on India if Russian oil supply is choked through secondary tariffs at a recent Firstpost event. Why Libya's energy resources is a natural fit for India Libya is well-positioned to help fill India's supply gap. In 2023, Libya exported $31.3 billion worth of crude petroleum, making it the 14th largest exporter of crude globally. Crude oil remains its most valuable export. Italy, Germany, Spain, France and China are Libya's largest buyers, with exports to Germany and France experiencing notable year-on-year growth. Given India's status as the world's third-largest oil importer, both countries stand to benefit — Libya gains a massive buyer and India secures a fresh energy source amid global supply constraints. India in Libya's energy sector India's ties with Libya's energy sector are not new. According to a report in the Libya Tribune, ONGC Videsh and Oil India Limited have expressed renewed interest in operating in Libya, responding to Tripoli's calls to rebuild the nation's vital oil and gas infrastructure. These companies exited Libya in 2011 due to civil unrest, but prior to that, ONGC Videsh and Oil India, along with Indian Oil Corporation, had been involved in exploration projects in Libya's Ghadames and Sirte basins. This previous involvement may provide Indian firms with a head start as Libya opens its energy sector once again to foreign participation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Reopening Libya's oil and gas sector Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) is preparing to launch its first oil and gas licensing round in 17 years. The move is seen as a strong signal of the country's intent to revitalise its hydrocarbons industry. Speaking in Tripoli earlier this year, Libya's Oil and Gas Minister Mohamed Oun emphasised that the country welcomes international companies, but expects them to focus on exploration rather than merely tapping into already discovered fields. He also noted that about 30 per cent of Libya's oil-rich territory remains unexplored, hinting at significant untapped potential. If successful, these reforms could help Libya regain its footing as a major energy exporter and offer India new energy opportunities. Economic partnership beyond oil India and Libya have shared long-standing diplomatic and economic relations. India established its diplomatic mission in Tripoli in 1969. In 1978, both countries signed a framework agreement titled the 'Protocol on Industrial, Economic and Scientific Cooperation,' which laid the groundwork for the Indo-Libyan Joint Commission. Ten sessions of the Joint Commission have been held since then, covering the full spectrum of bilateral economic activities. Over the years, Indian public sector undertakings such as BHEL, NBCC, IOC and Oil India, as well as private firms like Punj Lloyd, Shapoorji Pallonji, Unitech, and NIIT, have undertaken projects in infrastructure, power, IT and healthcare sectors across Libya, the Embassy of India website in Tripoli mentioned. While many of these ventures were suspended due to conflict, they are likely to resume once conditions stabilise. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Renewed interest in Libyan oil India's crude oil imports from Libya were modest in 2024, amounting to $84.8 million, according to the UN COMTRADE database. This is expected to change if India deepens its engagement with Libya's oil sector. With established diplomatic channels and historic commercial involvement, Indian firms are well-positioned to scale up trade quickly, provided Libya maintains a favourable investment climate. Pressure mounts on Russian crude India's heavy reliance on Russian oil, which surged after the Ukraine war, is now facing serious headwinds. The European Union has introduced new sanctions that will require proof of crude origin for any refined oil products imported into the bloc starting January 21, 2026. The enforcement mechanism adds complexity for Indian refiners who process Russian crude but export finished products globally. Adding to the pressure, US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100 per cent secondary tariffs on countries that continue to trade with Russia if no peace deal is reached in Ukraine soon. In 2019, India halted oil imports from Iran under similar threats. Though China continued buying Iranian crude without repercussions, India chose compliance, demonstrating its vulnerability to external geopolitical pressures. Russia's share in India's energy mix Russia emerged as India's top crude oil supplier following the Ukraine invasion in 2022. The share of Russian oil in India's total imports rose dramatically — from just 2.1 per cent in FY22 to 35.1 per cent in FY24–25. In June 2025 alone, India imported 2.08 million barrels per day of Russian crude, the highest in nearly a year. While overall crude imports fell 6 per cent that month, Russian shipments grew by 8 per cent, highlighting India's ongoing dependence. However, narrowing discounts and geopolitical risk may soon force a course correction. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Initially, Russian oil was significantly cheaper than global benchmarks, with the Urals grade priced about $12 per barrel below Brent. But by late 2024, that gap had narrowed, making Russian crude only $4 cheaper than oil from Iraq. Meanwhile, secondary tariffs from the US and new EU rules could make Russian oil imports financially unattractive for Indian refiners. There are worries that supply disruptions could reach 500,000 barrels per day if sanctions fully materialise. Diversifying energy sources In response, India is aggressively diversifying its crude suppliers. According to The Economic Times, Crude oil imports from the United States increased by more than 50 per cent in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Imports from Brazil also saw an 80 per cent jump. These shifts reflect Indian refiners' preference for stable, non-OPEC sources amid rising market volatility. The government has also sought guarantees from key West Asian partners to ensure secure supply lines, especially after tensions escalated in the Strait of Hormuz during the recent Israel-Iran conflict. According to the US Energy Information Administration, India is expected to add 330,000 barrels per day in new demand this year, driven largely by transportation and household fuel needs. India's oil consumption is poised to surpass China's growth rate in 2025, accounting for roughly 25 per cent of the global increase in oil demand. In 2023, India consumed about 5.3 million barrels per day and demand has only grown since. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Vulnerability to price shocks India's economy is particularly sensitive to global crude price fluctuations. A 2023 study by researchers at Vellore Institute of Technology and Pondicherry University found that fuel prices in India respond rapidly to international oil spikes. The Reserve Bank of India estimates that a $10 increase in crude oil prices could raise India's headline inflation by 0.4 per cent. With this level of sensitivity, securing diversified and cost-effective oil imports is essential for economic stability. Hence, India's decision to reopen its Tripoli embassy is not merely symbolic. It is a timely and strategic move to tap into Libya's energy potential, reduce dependence on risky suppliers and reinvigorate bilateral relations. As global energy markets realign, India is betting on a more secure, diversified future and Libya could be an important piece of that puzzle.
Indian Express
28 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘Cannot switch off economy': Indian envoy hits back at West's pressure on oil imports from Russia
India's High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, hit back at the West's pressure on New Delhi to halt oil imports from Russia, emphasising that the country cannot simply 'switch off its economy' due to geopolitical tensions. In an interview with Times Radio recently, he further pointed out the inconsistency in the West's stance, highlighting that several European partners continue to buy rare earth and other energy products from the same countries that they refuse to let India buy from. 'Don't you think that that seems a little odd?' Doraiswami said. When questioned about India's close ties with Russia and President Vladimir Putin, he said that New Delhi's relationship with Moscow is built on various metrics. 'One of these is our long-standing security relationship that goes back to an era in which some of our Western partners wouldn't sell us weapons but would sell them to countries in our neighbourhood that use them only to attack us,' the Indian envoy said. He further termed New Delhi's ties with Moscow an 'energy relationship', which he said was the outcome of 'everybody else buying energy from sources that we used to buy from earlier'. 'So we've been displaced out of the energy market largely, and the costs have gone up. We are the third-largest consumer of energy in the world. We import over 80% of our product. What would you have us do? Switch off our economy,' Doraiswami said. 'We also see around us relationships that other countries maintain for their own convenience with countries that are a source of difficulty for us. Do we ask you to come up with a little test of loyalty?' he said. Affirming India's stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Indian envoy said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly asserted that this was not an era of war and that New Delhi is 'very keen' for the conflict to stop. 'He's made that point repeatedly, including with the president of Russia and with the president of Ukraine (Volodymyr Zelensky),' he said. 'We are very keen for this terrible conflict to stop, as we are keen for conflicts across the world to stop,' Mr Doraiswami added. India traditionally relied on the Middle East for its oil supplies. However, following Western sanctions against Moscow due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the country began offering oil at discounted prices to attract new buyers.
Indian Express
28 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘Biggest ever' US-EU trade deal: 5 takeaways
After months of tense negotiations, including repeated threats by Donald Trump to increase tariffs on the European Union, the US on Sunday (July 27) announced it had reached a trade deal with the bloc. The deal announced by US President Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at his golf club in Turnberry, Scotland, sets a baseline tariff rate of 15% on all European goods, effective Friday (August 1). To recap, Trump had previously announced a 10% baseline tariff on most imports from the EU, 25% tariffs on automobiles, and 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium. Since April, the US has charged an additional 10% 'reciprocal' tariff on top of the pre-existing 4.8% average duty on imports from the EU. Earlier this month, he threatened to impose 30% tariffs if a deal was concluded by August 1. 'It's the biggest of all the deals,' Trump said on Sunday. 'I think it's going to be great for both parties,' von der Leyen concurred, describing this as 'the best we could get' and saying, 'Today's deal creates certainty in uncertain times.' Here is all you need to know. All EU goods will face a baseline tariff of 15%, half the 30% rate Trump had threatened to implement come August 1. The deal includes medicines, semiconductor chips, and cars. US exporters would now have access to European markets, and may face zero tariffs for certain products. The zero tariffs would reportedly apply to sectors including 'all aircraft and component parts, certain chemicals, certain generics, semiconductor equipment, certain agricultural products, natural resources and critical raw materials', von der Leyen said. A Reuters report quoted a US official as saying that commercial aircraft would face zero tariffs for now, while there was a 'reasonably good chance' that a new rate less than 15% could be realised later. Uncertainty still remains over the tariffs European wine and spirits producers will face in the US, but she said the matter would be resolved in the coming days. 2 – Steel and aluminium tariffs remain at 50%, cars effectively at 27.5% The deal does not include European steel and aluminium, which continue to face a separate 50% import tax. However, von der Leyen said that further negotiations could yield a quota system, wherein such imports within a certain quota could escape the additional duty. Meanwhile, European cars face a 27.5% tariff, with Trump's 25% rate coming atop the pre-existing 2.5% tariffs in place. Germany will likely bear the brunt, given its export-driven economy and large automotive sector. Manufacturers VW, Mercedes and BMW were among the worst-affected by the tariffs, in place since April. While German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed the deal, industrial groups in the country have been critical of it. The Federation of German Industries (BDI) called the deal 'an inadequate compromise' that 'sends a fatal signal to the closely intertwined economies on both sides of the Atlantic.' The US has been the second major market for the European auto industry. Data from Acea (the European Auto Manufacturers Association) showed that the EU exported 757,654 new vehicles to the US last year, worth €38.9 billion ($45.41 billion), and imported 169,152 new vehicles from the US, worth €7.8 billion ($9.1 billion). 3 – European investment commitments in the US The EU has agreed to purchase American energy products worth $750 billion, chiefly oil, gas, including liquified gas, nuclear fuel and semiconductors. It will also $600 billion in the US in addition to its current investments, including purchases of military equipment, Trump said. von der Leyen confirmed the EU would commit to buying $250 billion of US energy products annually for the next three years. 'With this deal, we are securing access to our largest export market,' she said. Trump also said that the EU would purchase a 'vast amount of military equipment' from the US. However, no definite purchase commitment has been made. Since the war between Russia and Ukraine commenced in 2022, the EU has increased its military spending, boosted by Trump's remarks earlier in the year pushing for increased European military spending. Thus far, they have focused on purchasing military equipment from European companies. 4 – Only temporary relief for semiconductors, pharmaceuticals The deal currently retains the 15% tariff rate for pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, which are subject to separate tariff investigations. The Guardian reported that sources said the EU investment commitments helped seal the 15% tariffs on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. However, both sectors face the threat of additional tariffs in the future. Trump has previously threatened 200% tariffs on pharma imports, while US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that semiconductor tariffs could also be announced in the coming weeks. Data from the European Commission's data wing, Eurostat, indicate that medicines were the EU's top exports to the US in 2024, amounting to nearly €80 billion. Ireland, which Trump has accused of having 'the entire US pharmaceutical industry in its grasp', has been the largest pharma exporter. 5 – An Ireland-shaped problem The tariff announcement presents a unique conundrum for the island of Ireland, wherein traders in Northern Ireland, a constituent of the UK, can sell goods to the US at 10% tariffs, while Ireland the country faces the 15% tariff rate. A similar situation was last faced during Brexit, when Northern Ireland (as part of the UK) exited the EU in 2020, while Ireland remained a member of the bloc. After tedious negotiations, the two arrived at the Windsor Framework in February 2023, which resolved the issues around customs arrangements. A similar understanding will now become necessary for the two regions to ensure stability across the island and diplomacy continues under the Good Friday agreement, which formally ended 30 years of conflict between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Ireland's deputy prime minister, Simon Harris, said he 'regretted' the 15% tariff rate but said 'certainty' was important. In 2024, the total goods trade between the US and the EU amounted to $975.9 billion, US Trade Representative data showed. The US ran a $235.6 billion trade deficit with the EU, a 12.9% increase over the previous year. European Commission data showed that the US was its largest trading partner in 2024, accounting for 20% of EU goods exports, with Germany, Ireland, France and Italy as the top exporters. The major exports from the EU were over €200 billion (over $227 billion) of machinery and vehicles, €160 billion (over $182 billion) of chemicals and €25 billion (over $28 billion) of food and drink.
