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European foreign ministers ready for more talks, urge Iran to engage with US on nuclear deal
At Geneva meeting, European ministers said that they are ready for further talks with Iran and urged Tehran to engage with the United States over its nuclear programme read more
France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot, Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, pose for photographs in the offices of the honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday. Reuters
European foreign ministers from the E3 — France, Britain, and Germany — along with the EU's foreign policy chief, held a three-hour meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Geneva on Friday.
The talks aimed to revive stalled nuclear diplomacy, but ended without any immediate breakthroughs.
However, the European ministers said that they are ready for further talks with Iran and urged Tehran to engage with the United States over its nuclear programme.
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'The Iranian Foreign Minister has expressed his willingness to continue discussions on the nuclear programme and more broadly on all issues, and we expect Iran to commit to the discussion, including with the United States, to reach a negotiated settlement,' Reuters quoted French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot as saying.
German foreign minister Johann Wadephul said that it is important that the US is involved in further talks and in finding a solution to the conflict.
UK foreign minister David Lammy echoed similar sentiments, saying that the UK urges Iran to continue their discussions with the US.
'This is a perilous moment, and it is hugely important that we don't see regional escalation of this conflict,' Lammy was quoted as saying.
Tehran, facing growing international pressure to accept tighter limits on its nuclear programme, has repeatedly refused to engage with the Trump administration while Israeli strikes continue.
Ahead of Friday's talks in Geneva, European foreign ministers consulted US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who, according to diplomatic sources, indicated that Washington remained open to direct talks, even as it weighs joining Israeli military action targeting Iran's nuclear infrastructure.
While the US has not officially confirmed this stance, CNN quoted a US official saying President Donald Trump supports diplomatic efforts by allies aimed at bringing Iran closer to a negotiated deal.
'Zero enrichment'
The Trump administration has demanded Iran halt all uranium enrichment, a tougher stance than that of the E3 (France, Britain, Germany), which previously allowed limited enrichment under strict inspections.
On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron aligned more closely with Washington, saying any new deal with Tehran must aim for 'zero enrichment.'
A senior Iranian official told Reuters Tehran is open to limits on enrichment, but would reject zero enrichment outright, especially amid ongoing Israeli strikes.
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At the UN in Geneva, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi accused Israel of a 'betrayal of diplomacy,' prompting a 'vehement objection' from Israel's envoy.
Geneva was the scene of an initial accord between Iran and world powers to curb its nuclear programme in return for sanctions lifting in 2013 before a comprehensive deal in 2015.
Separate talks between Iran and the U.S. collapsed when Israel launched what it called Operation Rising Lion against Iran's nuclear facilities and ballistic capabilities on June 12.
With inputs from agencies
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