Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Iran is set to hold nuclear discussions with the UK, France, Germany, and the European Union on November 29th in Geneva.
As reported by sources, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration seeks to resolve the nuclear standoff before the inauguration of the next US president, Donald Trump. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi, who previously performed as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating group for the JCPOA nuclear accord, is said to be leading the negotiations.
How does the EU plan to engage with Iran?
Moreover, Iran’s state-run ISNA news agency echoed the EU’s lead spokesperson for foreign affairs, Peter Stano, as stating that the bloc is in touch with Iran regarding the prospect of resuming the talks. The outgoing High Representative of the EU Josep Borrell and his team are in contact with Iran, other forces of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and also the United States to keep all communication channels open and maintain the possibility of meaningful nuclear negotiations, he stated.
Stano also voiced hope for a swift resumption of nuclear diplomacy with Tehran, according to these reports.
We hope that nuclear diplomacy can resume soon since a solution to the Iran nuclear issue cannot wait any longer. It will also be conducive to the stabilization of the region,
He told ISNA.
Diplomacy is the way to find solutions on sensitive issues, and we have already reached out to the new President Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Araghchi.
Further, Stano noted,
The EU fully relies on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the agency’s report regarding Iran’s nuclear trajectory and lack of cooperation is very concerning. The EU is committed to a comprehensive political approach based on mutual respect,
he said.
On November 21, 2024, the IAEA Board of Governors enacted a resolution against Iran over its perceived non-cooperation with international inspections, stating it is not convinced that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful. It has been asking queries and seeking clarification on several issues for years. But many remain unresolved. The IAEA calling on Iran to urgently enhance its cooperation with the agency and deliver a comprehensive report on its nuclear activities.