Latest news with #Gharibabadi
Kuwait Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Iran holds ‘frank' nuclear talks with European powers
Meeting in Istanbul the first since Zionists attack on Iran ISTANBUL: Iranian diplomats said they held 'frank and detailed' nuclear talks on Friday with counterparts from Germany, Britain and France, who have threatened to trigger sanctions if Tehran fails to agree a deal on uranium enrichment and cooperation with UN inspectors. The meeting in Istanbul was the first since Zionists launched an attack on Iran last month targeting key nuclear and military sites, sparking a 12-day war and leading Tehran to pull away from working with the UN watchdog. The European diplomats were seen leaving the Iranian consulate shortly before 1100 GMT after spending several hours inside. Zionist offensive - which killed top commanders, nuclear scientists and hundreds of others and in which residential areas and military sites were struck - also derailed US-Iran nuclear talks that began in April. Since then, the European powers, known as the E3, have threatened to trigger a so-called 'snapback mechanism' under a moribund 2015 nuclear deal that would reinstate UN sanctions on Iran by the end of August. The sanctions trigger expires in October, and Tehran has warned of consequences should the E3 opt to activate it. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, who attended the talks alongside senior Iranian diplomat Majid Takht-Ravanchi, wrote on X that he had used the meeting to criticize the European stance on the 12-day conflict with Zionists. He said the snapback mechanism had also been discussed, adding: 'It was agreed that consultations on this matter will continue.' Takht-Ravanchi told state news agency IRNA the Iranian side had demanded 'punitive sanctions' be lifted 'as soon as possible'. Before the talks, a European source said the three countries were preparing to trigger the mechanism 'in the absence of a negotiated solution'. The source urged Iran to make 'clear gestures' on uranium enrichment and resuming cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog. Gharibabadi warned earlier in the week that triggering sanctions - which would deepen Iran's international isolation and place further pressure on its already strained economy - would be 'completely illegal'. He accused European powers of 'halting their commitments' under the 2015 deal, which the United States unilaterally withdrew from in 2018 during President Donald Trump's first term. 'We have warned them of the risks, but we are still seeking common ground to manage the situation,' said Gharibabadi. Iranian diplomats have previously warned that Tehran could withdraw from the global nuclear non-proliferation treaty if sanctions were reimposed. Zionist Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has urged European powers to trigger the mechanism. Zionist June 13 attack on Iran came two days before Tehran and Washington were scheduled to meet for a sixth round of nuclear negotiations. On June 22, the US joined Zionist offensive by striking Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz. Before the war, the US and Iran were divided over uranium enrichment - with Tehran describing it as a 'non-negotiable' right, while Washington called it a 'red line'. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says Iran is enriching uranium to 60 percent purity - far above the 3.67 percent cap under the 2015 deal and close to weapons-grade levels. Tehran has said it is open to discussing the rate and level of enrichment, but not the right to enrich uranium. A year after the US withdrew from the nuclear deal, Iran began rolling back its commitments, which had placed restrictions on its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Zionist entity and Western powers accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran has repeatedly denied. Iran insists it will not abandon its nuclear program, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi describing the position as 'unshakable'. Though he claimed enrichment had come to a halt because of 'serious and severe' damage to nuclear sites caused by US and Zionist airstrikes, the full extent of the damage sustained in the US bombing remains unclear. Trump claimed at the time the sites had been 'completely destroyed', but US media reports based on Pentagon assessments cast doubt on the scale of destruction. Since the 12-day war, Iran has suspended cooperation with the IAEA, accusing it of bias and failing to condemn the attacks. Inspectors have since left the country but a technical team is expected to return in the coming weeks after Iran said future cooperation would take a 'new form'. Zionist entity has warned it may resume strikes if Iran rebuilds facilities or moves toward weapons capability. Iran has pledged a 'harsh response' to any future attacks. — AFP
Euronews
6 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Iran and E3 nations to resume nuclear talks after Istanbul meeting
Talks between Iran and the UK, France and Germany, known collectively as the E3 countries, concluded in Istanbul on Friday with both sides agreeing to continue discussions aimed at breaking the deadlock over Tehran's nuclear programme. The four-hour meeting, held at the Iranian Consulate, marked the first formal engagement since the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June, which included US airstrikes on nuclear-linked sites. Discussions focused on the possible reimposition of international sanctions lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, which limited Iran's enrichment activities in exchange for relief from punitive measures. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, who led the Iranian delegation alongside Majid Takht-e Ravanchi, described the exchange as "serious, frank and detailed," noting that both sides came with "specific ideas" and had agreed to further consultations. The E3 have warned that without visible progress, sanctions could be restored under the UN's "snapback mechanism", a clause in the 2015 agreement allowing the automatic return of sanctions if Iran breaches the deal's terms. A European diplomat, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the negotiations, said the E3 had offered Tehran a temporary delay in triggering the mechanism, on condition that Tehran re-engage diplomatically, cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and address concerns over its rapidly growing stockpile of highly enriched uranium. "The snapback remains on the table," the diplomat said. Iran, however, insists that its enrichment activities are within its legal rights. Gharibabadi reiterated on social media that Tehran's nuclear efforts must be respected, adding that the talks should not serve as a "platform for hidden agendas such as military action." He also stated that Iran's involvement in the diplomatic process depends on "rebuilding trust," particularly in light of the US withdrawal from the 2015 accord under former President Donald Trump. "Iran has absolutely no trust in the United States," Gharibabadi wrote. In May, the IAEA reported that Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity had surpassed 400 kilograms, close to weapons-grade level. Since then, Tehran has suspended cooperation with the agency. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, speaking in Singapore on Friday, warned that inspectors must be allowed to return soon. "This is an international obligation of Iran," he said, urging movement "from words to reality." Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking to Al Jazeera earlier this week, maintained that the country remains committed to international law and does not intend to pursue nuclear weapons. The talks in Istanbul come amid rising tensions in the region. Last month, Israeli and US military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites prompted retaliatory attacks on Israel and a US base in Qatar.
Saudi Gazette
6 days ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Iran, EU hold ‘serious' nuclear talks in Istanbul
ISTANBUL — A senior Iranian diplomat said 'serious, frank, and detailed' discussions on nuclear and sanctions issues were held Friday in Istanbul between Iranian officials and representatives of the European Union and the E3 — France, Germany, and the UK — amid rising tensions following the recent 12-day war with Israel. Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister for legal affairs, said he and Majid Takht-Ravanchi, deputy foreign minister for political affairs, met with envoys from the three European signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal as well as EU officials. The talks, conducted at the deputy foreign minister level, focused heavily on the so-called snapback mechanism — a provision that allows for the reimposition of UN sanctions on Iran — which the E3 is reportedly preparing to trigger. In a social media post, Gharibabadi said the Iranian side sharply criticized the European stance on the recent Israeli military strikes and emphasized Tehran's "principled positions," including its opposition to the snapback provision, which it considers 'legally and morally void.' The Istanbul meeting follows heightened diplomatic tensions, including a letter last week from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, stating that the European trio had forfeited their role as participants in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Gharibabadi said both sides entered Friday's meeting with specific proposals that were 'thoroughly examined,' and agreed to continue talks came more than a month after Israel launched an unprecedented series of airstrikes on Tehran and other cities on June 13, killing several senior military officials and nuclear confrontation has cast doubt over the future of indirect nuclear talks between Iran and the US, originally scheduled to resume in Muscat. — Agencies
Boston Globe
6 days ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
European and Iranian diplomats meet in Istanbul
Iranian negotiator, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, said that the 'serious, frank, and detailed' meeting focused on the nuclear issue and the status of sanctions while agreeing to further discussions. The E3 nations had earlier warned that sanctions could return under a process known as the 'snapback' mechanism, which allows one of the Western parties to reimpose UN sanctions if Tehran doesn't comply with its requirements. 'Both sides came to the meeting with specific ideas,' Gharibabadi said in a social media post. 'It was agreed that consultations on this matter will continue.' Advertisement As the talks were ongoing, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, said that he hoped that the meeting would see the E3 nations reassess their 'previous unconstructive attitude.' European leaders have said sanctions will resume by the end of August if there is no progress on containing Iran's nuclear program. The snapback mechanism 'remains on the table,' a European diplomat said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks, Advertisement 'A possible delay in triggering snapback has been floated to the Iranians on the condition that there is credible diplomatic engagement by Iran, that they resume full cooperation with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), and that they address concerns about their highly-enriched uranium stockpile,' the diplomat said before Friday's negotiations. Tehran, meanwhile, has said that Washington, which withdrew from the 2015 deal during the first term of US President Trump, needs to rebuild faith in its role in negotiations. Gharibabadi previously said that Iran's engagement was dependent on 'several key principles' that included 'rebuilding Iran's trust, as Iran has absolutely no trust in the United States.' In a social media post on Thursday, he also said that the talks shouldn't be used 'as a platform for hidden agendas such as military action.' Gharibabadi insisted that Iran's right to enrich uranium 'in line with its legitimate needs' be respected, and sanctions removed. Iran has repeatedly threatened to leave the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which commits it to refrain from developing nuclear weapons, if sanctions return. Friday's talks were held at the deputy ministerial level, with Iran sending Gharibabadi and a fellow deputy foreign minister, Majid Takht-e Ravanchi. A similar meeting was held in Istanbul in May. The identity of the E3 representatives wasn't immediately clear, but the European Union's deputy foreign policy commissioner was thought to be attending. The UK, France, and Germany were signatories to the 2015 deal, alongside the US, Russia, and China. When Washington withdrew in 2018, Trump insisted the agreement wasn't tough enough. Under the original deal, neither Russia nor China can veto reimposed sanctions. Since the Israeli and US strikes on Iran, which saw American B-52 bombers hit three nuclear sites, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the E3 of hypocrisy, saying that they failed to uphold their obligations while supporting Israel's attacks. Advertisement Against the backdrop of the conflict, in which Iran responded with missile attacks on Israel and a strike on a US base in Qatar, the road ahead remains uncertain. While European officials have said they want to avoid further conflict and are open to a negotiated solution, they have warned that time is running out. Tehran maintains that it's open to diplomacy, though it recently suspended cooperation with the IAEA. A central concern for Western powers was highlighted when the IAEA reported in May that Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% — just below weapons-grade level — had grown to more than 400 kilograms (nearly 900 pounds). In an interview with Al Jazeera that aired Wednesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iran is prepared for another war and reiterated that its nuclear program will continue within the framework of international law, while adding that the country had no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons. IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi, meanwhile, said that no date had been set yet to restart inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities. Speaking during a visit to Singapore on Friday, he warned that if inspectors 'do not return soon, there will be a serious problem, because this is an international obligation of Iran.' While he was 'encouraged' by Tehran's readiness to engage with the IAEA, Grossi said that the sides needed 'to move from words to the reality.'
Leader Live
6 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Europeans and Iran meet in Istanbul as sanctions loom over nuclear deadlock
Representatives from the UK, France and Germany, known as the E3 nations, gathered at the Iranian consulate for the first talks since Iran's 12-day war with Israel in June, which involved US bombers striking nuclear-related facilities. The talks, which ended after four hours, centred on the possibility of reimposing sanctions on Iran, that were lifted in 2015 in exchange for Iran accepting restrictions and monitoring of its nuclear programme. The return of sanctions, known as a 'snapback' mechanism, 'remains on the table', according to a European diplomat. 'A possible delay in triggering snapback has been floated to the Iranians on the condition that there is credible diplomatic engagement by Iran, that they resume full cooperation with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), and that they address concerns about their highly-enriched uranium stockpile,' the diplomat said. European leaders have said sanctions will resume by the end of August if there is no progress on containing Iran's nuclear programme. Tehran, meanwhile, has said the US, which withdrew from the 2015 deal during President Donald Trump 's first term, needs to rebuild faith in its role in negotiations. Deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran's engagement was dependent on 'several key principles' that included 'rebuilding Iran's trust – as Iran has absolutely no trust in the United States'. In a social media post on Thursday, he also said the talks should not be used 'as a platform for hidden agendas such as military action'. He said Iran's right to enrich uranium 'in line with its legitimate needs' should be respected and sanctions removed. Iran has repeatedly threatened to leave the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which commits it to refrain from developing nuclear weapons, if sanctions return. Mr Gharibabadi described Friday's talks as 'serious, frank and detailed'. On X, he said the two sides discussed lifting sanctions and the snapback mechanism while agreeing to further talks. 'Both sides came to the meeting with specific ideas,' he said. 'It was agreed that consultations on this matter will continue.' Friday's talks were held at the deputy ministerial level, with Iran sending Mr Gharibabadi and a fellow deputy foreign minister, Majid Takht-e Ravanchi. A similar meeting was held in Istanbul in May. The UK, France and Germany were signatories to the 2015 deal, alongside the US, Russia and China. When the US withdrew in 2018, Mr Trump said the agreement was not tough enough. Under the original deal, neither Russia nor China can veto reimposed sanctions. Since the Israeli and US strikes on Iran, in which American B-52 bombers hit three nuclear sites, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the E3 of hypocrisy, saying they failed to uphold their obligations while supporting Israel's attacks. Against the backdrop of the conflict, during which Iran responded with missile attacks on Israel and a strike on a US base in Qatar, the road ahead remains uncertain. While European officials have said they want to avoid further conflict and are open to a negotiated solution, they have warned that time is running out. Tehran maintains it is open to diplomacy, though it recently suspended cooperation with the IAEA. A central concern for western powers was highlighted when the IAEA reported in May that Iran's stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% – just below weapons-grade level – had grown to more than 400kg.
