Iran will hold talks in Istanbul on Friday with European parties to their 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), which is close to completion, Reuters reported, citing Iranian and European sources.
The talks between senior diplomats come as both sides seek to position themselves ahead of an expected fifth round of US-Iran talks in the coming days.
The talks, previously scheduled for May 2, were delayed after Britain, France and Germany, known as the “EU 3”, initially hesitated over concerns that such talks could create a parallel track and undermine negotiations led by US President Donald Trump’s administration, which Washington says are aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
But diplomats said they decided to press ahead because it was ultimately in their interest to maintain dialogue with Iran and confirm what they envisioned for a new nuclear deal.
Iran is also interested in holding talks to preserve its options and gauge the European powers’ position on reimposing UN sanctions, something Iran’s foreign minister warned them against on Monday.
Under the terms of the UN resolution ratifying the 2015 nuclear pact, the three European powers have until Oct. 18 to reimpose United Nations sanctions on Tehran, known in diplomatic circles as the “rapid reaction mechanism.”
The European powers are not participating in the ongoing talks between Iran and the United States, the fourth round of which concluded Sunday in Oman. But the three countries have sought to coordinate closely with Washington to determine whether they should use the rapid reaction mechanism to increase pressure on Iran over its nuclear program.
The EU3 could begin retaliatory measures by August if no significant deal is reached by then, diplomats and a document seen by Reuters suggest.
The next round of talks between Iran and the United States to resolve disputes over Tehran’s nuclear programme will take place in the coming days after both sides hold consultations with their capitals, according to Oman, the negotiating broker.