Mon Jul 21 17:04:33 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Iran will hold nuclear program talks with European nations (Britain, France, Germany), facilitated by Turkey in Istanbul on Friday. This is the first such meeting since a ceasefire ended a 12-day conflict in June between Israel and Iran, during which the U.S. also struck Iranian nuclear facilities. The focus will be on lifting sanctions and Iran’s peaceful nuclear intentions. Tensions are high, with European nations threatening to reinstate sanctions due to Iran’s increased nuclear activities following the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran criticizes the E3 for lack of upholding commitments and accuses of supporting Israel. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful.
**News Article:**
**Iran and European Nations to Resume Nuclear Talks Amid Tensions**
**Tehran, July 21, 2025** – Iran has announced renewed talks with European nations concerning its nuclear program, scheduled to take place in Istanbul on Friday, with Turkey serving as the host. These discussions mark the first such engagement since a ceasefire was brokered following a recent 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran in June, which also saw US military action targeting Iranian nuclear sites.
The upcoming meeting will involve Iranian officials and representatives from Britain, France, and Germany (the E3 nations), as well as the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas. According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, the talks will center on lifting sanctions and addressing matters related to Iran’s stated peaceful nuclear program.
The move comes amid heightened tensions following the United States’ withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018 and the subsequent reimposition of sanctions. European nations have recently warned of triggering the “snapback” mechanism, potentially reinstating sanctions due to perceived non-compliance by Iran.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has strongly criticized the E3 nations, accusing them of failing to uphold their commitments under the 2015 deal and alleging support for Israel’s recent military actions. He claims that Britain, France and Germany lack “any legal, political, and moral standing” to invoke such mechanisms.
Despite these challenges, Araghchi affirmed Iran’s commitment to diplomatic solutions. Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, despite having increased nuclear activities following the US withdrawal from the deal.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Martin Giese stated that the talks are taking place at an expert level and emphasized the importance of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Giese confirmed the E3 nations are “continuing to work… at high pressure on a sustainable and verifiable diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear programme,” coordinating with the United States.
The outcome of Friday’s discussions remains uncertain, but it represents a crucial opportunity to de-escalate tensions and find a path forward regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
First Piper 