France, Germany, and the UK, known as the E3, told Iran they would reinstate UN sanctions if Tehran does not resume nuclear talks. This move is a reaction to the lack of progress in dialogue.
Europe's Pressure and Threats
France, Germany, and the UK demand concrete results from Iran by the end of August, expressing dissatisfaction with the stagnation. This was the first direct engagement of the E3 with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi since Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites last month, after which the European stance has notably changed.
Iran's Response to Pressure
In response to the E3 threats, Araghchi expressed his discontent and stated that it was the U.S. that left the negotiation table in June and chose a military path. He emphasized that if the E3 wanted to be taken seriously, they should stop making threats and act responsibly. "They should act responsibly and put aside the worn-out policies of threat and pressure," he added.
Future of the Nuclear Deal and Need for Diplomacy
While the 2015 nuclear deal is still technically in place, Iran shows no readiness to finance further talks. Currently, IAEA inspectors are no longer present in Iran, complicating the situation significantly. Despite some European diplomats attempting to connect with Washington, the prospects of success before the end of August remain high.
The situation surrounding Iran's nuclear program remains tense. Europe must tread carefully to avoid escalating the conflict and bring Iran back to the negotiating table.
