Tehran (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Iranian state media reported Monday that nuclear negotiations scheduled between Iran and the UK, France, and Germany to the 2015 nuclear deal – UK, France, and Germany will be held in Geneva, on Tuesday.
State television stated,
“On Tuesday, Iran and the three European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal, along with the European Union, will hold a new round of talks at the level of deputy foreign ministers in Geneva.”
How did the Israel conflict disrupt Iran’s nuclear cooperation?
This will be the second meeting following Iran’s 12-day conflict with Israel that occurred in mid-June, which began when the US began launching attacks on Tehran’s nuclear sites. It follows Iran’s suspension of cooperation with the United Nations nuclear watchdog after the war with Israel, as Tehran pointed to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s lack of condemnation of Israeli and US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Why do Europeans threaten sanctions over uranium enrichment?
In 2015, Iran entered into a nuclear agreement, namely, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with the UK, France, Germany, China, Russia, and the United States.
The three European nations have threatened to initiate a “snapback mechanism” under the 2015 nuclear agreement, which would reimpose UN restrictive measures that were lifted under the deal, unless Tehran agrees to constrain its uranium enrichment and revitalise collaboration with IAEA inspectors.
The snapback mechanism has a deadline of October; however, Financial Times reports that the Europeans have offered to extend that deadline if Iran returned to a very similar “Nuclear Negotiations” with Washington, including going back to “reporting” in conjunction with IAEA inspections. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that the Europeans cannot, and will not, be able to do so.
The agreement provided sanctions relief to Iran, which was it forfeited limits on Iran’s nuclear programme, which ensured that Tehran could not develop a nuclear weapon, which they have adamantly and publicly insisted they have no interest or intention in pursuing.
What implications did Trump’s withdrawal have for JCPOA stability?
In 2018, U.S. President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement and reinstated severe economic sanctions.
As diplomatic tensions heightened and economic dislocation arose, Iran commenced unwinding its commitments to the JCPOA’s uranium enrichment obligations. When the U.S. withdrew from the JCPOA, the U.K., France, and Germany affirmed their commitment to the JCPOA, stating an intention to continue trading and engaging with the Islamic Republic of Iran, effectively preserving the UN and European sanctions that arose prior to the U.S. withdrawal, even at the cost of re-imposing U.S. unilateral sanctions.
