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Iran refused to consider extending the UN resolution that approved the 2015 nuclear deal as it held its first face-to-face negotiations with Western countries since Israel and the US carried out recent airstrikes on its territory. Delegates from Iran, the European Union, and the E3 group—comprising France, Britain, and Germany—gathered at the Iranian consulate in Istanbul for discussions.
These countries, along with China and Russia, remain involved in the 2015 agreement—though the US withdrew from it in 2018—that lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for limits on its nuclear program. An approaching deadline on October 18 marks when the current resolution ceasing sanctions will expire unless a “snapback” mechanism is activated at least 30 days prior. If triggered, this would automatically reinstate sanctions targeting sectors like energy, banking, and defense.
Diplomats have set a late August deadline to resume diplomatic efforts and hope Iran will take tangible steps to extend the deadline by up to six months. Iran faces commitments to discuss negotiations with Washington, fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and account for approximately 880 pounds of highly enriched uranium, which has been unaccounted for since last month’s strikes.
Just before the talks started, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told IRNA news agency that Iran views discussions about extending UN Security Council Resolution 2231 as “meaningless and baseless.” Previously, the US conducted five rounds of negotiations with Iran before launching airstrikes in June, which President Donald Trump claimed had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which Washington and Israel assert aim at developing a nuclear weapon.
However, NBC News reported that US officials, both current and former, believe the strikes damaged most of one of the three targeted Iranian nuclear sites, but not as severely affected the other two. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons. European and Iranian representatives agree current circumstances don’t favor Iran re-engaging in negotiations with the US.
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