In Geneva, Iran’s foreign minister convened with top European diplomats on Friday, sparking hopes for further dialogue, although an immediate resolution remained elusive in the aftermath of the recent crisis surrounding Iran’s nuclear program, which has escalated tensions between Israel and Tehran.
Representatives from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, along with the EU’s foreign policy chief, met with Iran’s Abbas Araghchi at a Geneva hotel, marking the first direct encounter between Western and Iranian officials since the conflict’s commencement.
Following the approximately 3.5-hour discussions, a unified statement was released by the European nations and the EU, emphasizing the pursuit of a negotiated solution regarding Iran’s nuclear program. The statement reiterated concerns over the nuclear program’s expansion, highlighting the absence of any credible civilian purpose.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed that the talks concluded on a positive note, with Iran appearing open to continued discussion on key issues. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy echoed this sentiment, indicating a desire to persist in negotiations with Iran and urging further dialogue with the United States. He emphasized that Iran must not develop nuclear weapons.
In a separate address, Lammy stressed the joint objective of Europe and the U.S. to halt all uranium enrichment by Iran, suggesting discussions on Iran’s energy needs but maintaining that zero enrichment should be the starting point. He mentioned a critical two-week window for a diplomatic solution, urging Iran to seize this opportunity.
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of returning to full negotiations to achieve zero enrichment. The U.S. position on enrichment has evolved, now demanding an absolute halt to Iran’s uranium enrichment, a stance Iran rejects.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that military operations could only delay Iran’s nuclear ambitions without eradicating them, citing previous attempts in countries like Afghanistan and Iraq to underline the risks of externally imposed regime changes.
Barrot also noted that European countries invited Iran to engage in negotiations, including with the U.S., without waiting for military actions to conclude. He highlighted that Iran’s Abbas Araghchi showed willingness to discuss a broader range of issues and continue the dialogue with European assistance.
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, reaffirmed the decision to keep channels open for discussions on nuclear and wider issues. Iran’s Abbas Araghchi expressed support for continued talks with European countries and criticized the lack of European condemnation of Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Meanwhile, U.S. deliberations are ongoing on how to respond. Lammy visited Geneva following meetings in Washington with U.S. Secretary of State and President Trump’s envoy, discussing potential military involvement if diplomatic negotiations do not advance.
Israel has cited its airstrike campaign as a necessity to halt Iran’s progression towards nuclear weapon capability, framing itself within the context of ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations over potentially renewing diplomatic agreements.
Iran’s supreme leader condemned U.S. military involvement and reiterated Iran’s refusal to negotiate under current conditions, especially with the U.S., associating it with perpetuating violence. Iran maintains focus on the nuclear issue and regional matters, excluding its missile program from talks.
Ahead of the diplomatic meeting, Abbas Araghchi addressed the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, referring to Israeli attacks on nuclear facilities as grave war crimes, reaffirming Iran’s commitment to defending its sovereignty and security.
Iran continues to assert that its nuclear program is peaceful, though it remains the sole non-nuclear state enriching uranium to 60%, edging closer to weapons-grade levels. The European nations, instrumental in the 2015 nuclear agreement, have warned of reinstating sanctions if Iran fails to enhance cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.