Iran and E3 to resume nuclear talks in Istanbul

Tehran: Iran has agreed to restart nuclear talks with France, Germany, and Britain—collectively known as the E3—this Friday in Istanbul, Iranian state broadcaster Press TV.

Earlier reports indicated that the parties had tentatively agreed to meet next week, but no specific details were provided. The upcoming negotiations come amid heightened tensions after Israel’s surprise attack on Iran on June 13, which led to a brief 12-day conflict and various military strikes by the US on Iranian nuclear sites.

Iran has accused the US of complicity in the attack, which resulted in the deaths of Iranian military officials and scientists.

The US maintains that its strikes targeted nuclear facilities to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, which Iran denies, asserting its program is for peaceful purposes.

During recent talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that a new round of negotiations depends on the US’s willingness to return to the 2015 nuclear deal Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). He criticized European countries’ threats of triggering the UN “snapback” mechanism to reimpose sanctions, calling their stance morally and legally questionable.