Iran Confirms Fresh Nuclear Talks With E3 Amid Renewed Tensions

TEHRAN — Iran has confirmed a new round of nuclear talks with European powers set to take place on Friday in Istanbul, marking the first diplomatic engagement since the U.S. airstrikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities last month.

According to Iranian state media, diplomats from Iran will meet representatives of Britain, France, and Germany — collectively known as the E3 — to discuss the future of Tehran’s nuclear programme. These talks come after the E3 warned of potential sanctions under the JCPOA snapback mechanism if Iran fails to return to the negotiating table.

“In response to the request of European countries, Iran has agreed to hold a new round of talks,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghai.

Western countries and Israel have long accused Iran of attempting to develop nuclear weapons, an accusation Iran continues to deny.

Background & Developments
The talks follow a wave of Israeli airstrikes on June 13 targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities, followed by U.S. strikes on June 22 which hit key enrichment sites in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan.

Iran’s prior nuclear discussions with the U.S. — mediated by Oman — collapsed after President Donald Trump supported Israel’s aggressive military campaign.

The last E3-Iran meeting took place on June 21 in Geneva, one day before the U.S. strikes.

Meanwhile, a surprise meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian nuclear adviser Ali Larijani in Moscow underscored the regional stakes. Putin reiterated Moscow’s position for political solutions and regional stability.

JCPOA & Snapback Pressure
The 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) continues to be at the center of global diplomatic tensions. While Iran insists it is committed to peaceful nuclear development, the E3 has signaled it may invoke the snapback mechanism if diplomacy fails over the summer.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected any such move, accusing the E3 of forfeiting their role in the JCPOA due to their support for the U.S.-Israel bombing campaign.

In a social media post, he said:

“Iran has shown that it is capable of defeating any delusional ‘dirty work’ but has always been prepared to reciprocate meaningful diplomacy in good faith.”

However, German diplomats maintain that if no progress is made, sanctions will be reinstated.

Senior adviser Ali Velayati has ruled out any talks with the U.S. that require Iran to halt uranium enrichment, signalling that Tehran’s red lines remain firm.