Paris (Europe Brief News): Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is said to be willing to travel to Europe for discussions about Tehran’s nuclear programme, while France says European powers are also open to dialogue if Tehran shows it is ready to engage seriously.
Tehran and the three European powers, known as the E3 — France, Germany and the United Kingdom — have already held a number of rounds of talks over their relations and the nuclear issue since September 2024.
The most recent discussions between Iran and E3 were held in March 2025 at the technical level on the framework of a potential agreement aimed at rolling back Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for easing sanctions against it.
A deteriorating relationship between Iranian authorities and European powers exists due to their concerns about Iranian ballistic missiles alongside the foreign prisoner situation and the nation’s support for Russia during Ukraine’s ongoing military conflict.
How do Iran and Europe view the discussion over Tehran’s nuclear program?
“Iran’s relations with the E3 (France, Germany and UK) have experienced ups and downs in recent history. Like it or not, they are currently down. Why? Each side has its own narrative. To me, placing blame is a futile exercise. what matters is that the status quo is lose-lose,” Aragachi wrote on social media platform X.
“Last September in New York, I offered dialogue when I met E3 Foreign Ministers and indeed any other European counterpart. Instead of confrontation, I put forward cooperation not only on the nuclear issue, but in each and every other area of mutual interest & concern. They unfortunately chose the hard way,”
He said.
“I once again propose diplomacy. After my recent consultations in Moscow & Beijing, I am ready to take the first step with visits to Paris, Berlin & London. I was ready to do it before Iran commenced its indirect dialogue with the U.S., but the E3 opted out,”
He continued.
Aragachi shared his thoughts on the talks with the Europeans regarding the nuclear situation in Tehran, stating, “The ball is now in the E3’s court. They have an opportunity to do away with the grip of Special Interest groups and forge a different path. How we act at this critical junction is likely to define the foreseeable future.”
In response to Araghchi’s remarks, France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs spokesman Christophe Lemoine said the E3 favoured dialogue but wanted to see how serious Iran was.
“The only way forward is through diplomacy, and Iran must firmly pursue this approach, which has been a proposal reiterated by the E3 on numerous occasions; thus, we will persist in our discussions with the Iranians,” he stated during a press conference.
Germany and Britain did not provide immediate comments on the situation.
The US did not inform European nations about the nuclear discussions in Oman prior to Trump’s announcement, despite their significant role concerning the potential reinstatement of UN sanctions against Tehran.
However, the US chief technical negotiator, Michael Anton, updated E3 diplomats in Paris on April 17, according to two diplomats from Europe, indicating that coordination has improved.
Iran is looking to build on the momentum of nuclear negotiations with the United States, and after talks with Russia and China this week. The message addressed to European partners of the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement indicates Tehran plans to maintain flexibility in its diplomatic stance.
The United States President Donald Trump withdrew with the significant 2015 Iran nuclear agreement with world powers in 2018 during his first presidential term, and has warned of military action against Iran unless a new agreement is reached quickly that effectively prevents Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs for Tehran said that expert-level Iran-US talks will occur on Saturday while a third round of advanced nuclear talks between both nations will also happen simultaneously in Oman.
Why does Iran’s nuclear program raise alarms in the West?
The government of Iran has maintained a peaceful purpose narrative about its nuclear activities throughout numerous years. Nevertheless, its authorities are increasingly threatening to use nuclear weapons.
The 2015 nuclear agreement showed that Iran was permitted to enrich uranium up to 3.67% purity and hold a uranium reserve of 300 kilograms (661 pounds). The latest report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) indicated that Iran’s stockpile now exceeds 8,294.4 kilograms (18,286 pounds), with a portion enriched to 60% purity.
U.S. intelligence agencies believe that as Iran has not yet initiated a weapons program, it has “engaged in activities to create a better nuclear device, should it decide to proceed.”
An advisor to Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Larijani, , stated in an interview that “as Iran possesses the capability to develop nuclear weapons, it is not actively pursuing this path and is cooperative with the inspections of International Atomic Energy Agency’s”. However, he warned that “if the U.S. or Israel were to strike Iran regarding its nuclear program, the nation would have no alternative but to advance its nuclear weapon development.” He added, “But if you make a blunder over Iran’s nuclear matter, “If you make a mistake regarding Iran’s nuclear issue, you will force Iran to take that path, because it must defend itself.”
According to the news agency Reuters, the diplomats said that the threat of renewed sanctions is designed to compel Tehran to make concessions, highlighting the importance of thorough strategic discussions between American and European officials.
Since the US exited the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, it is unable to activate its snapback mechanism for reinstating sanctions at the United Nations Security Council. This leaves the E3 as the sole remaining participants in the 2015 agreement capable and willing to pursue snapback measures.
As reported by diplomats to Reuters, E3 representatives aim to activate snapback by August, rather than the previously considered June deadline, if no significant agreement is reached by that time. This opportunity will lapse on October 18 when the 2015 agreement expires.
