Iran and Europe meet in Istanbul amid threats of sanctions

The consulate in Istanbul where talks will hold
Reuters

Iran is currently facing threats of a reimposition of sanctions at the UN security council that were originally lifted under a deal made ten years ago.

This comes as the country’s top officials are set to meet with France, Germany and Britain in Istanbul on Tuesday. 


Europe’s top powers known as E3 want Iran to revive nuclear inspections and open up to diplomacy otherwise risk triggering snapback sanctions when the current deal expires in October.


An E3 official who spoke to Reuters said that they are expecting “credible” reassurances from Iran in the meeting.


"We are going to see whether the Iranians are credible about an extension or whether they are messing us around. We want to see whether they have made any progress on the conditions we set to extend,"


Those conditions are the resumption of U.N. inspections, including accounting for Iran's large stock of enriched uranium, and engaging in diplomacy, including with the United States.


Tehran however is still furious about the June bombing of its nuclear facilities by the United States and Israel, and has repeatedly rejected engaging in direct talks with Washington.


Israel and the United States have said they needed to strike Iran's uranium enrichment sites because it was making such rapid advances towards being able to produce a nuclear weapon.


A statement which Iran firmly denies. 

Tags