Top News

The European signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, known as the E3 — the United Kingdom, France, and Germany — will reportedly convene in Istanbul on May 16 at the level of deputy foreign ministers to discuss issues to Iran’s nuclear program and the potential lifting of sanctions.

According to Irannuances, a news site based in Tehran, the European parties to the 2015 nuclear agreement will hold consultations regarding these topics in Istanbul.

The meeting will involve deputy foreign ministers and senior diplomats from the three European nations.

While nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S., facilitated by Oman, are ongoing, both sides have reported positive progress. Iran has expressed willingness to limit its nuclear activities in exchange for the removal of unilateral U.S. sanctions. European countries, however, are not participating in these negotiations.

A previously scheduled meeting between the E3 and Iran in Rome on May 2 was canceled after U.S.-Iran talks were postponed.

‘Trigger mechanism’

Iran has expressed concerns over the “trigger mechanism” — a clause in the nuclear deal that allows for the reimposition of United Nations sanctions — which could be activated by European countries. The clause expires on October 18, and if no resolution to Iran’s nuclear program is reached by then, European countries may trigger the mechanism before the deadline.

In an article published on May 11 in the French newspaper Le Point, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned of the consequences of “misuse” of the trigger mechanism, stating, “This would not only mark the end of Europe’s role in the agreement but could also lead to escalating tensions that might become irreversible.” Araghchi had previously urged European countries to engage in nuclear talks with Iran.

May 14, 2025 01:39 AM GMT+03:00