Iran to hold talks with European nations over nuclear deal

Iran will engage in talks with European parties to its nuclear deal on Friday in Istanbul, following a delay of earlier discussions, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed.

Iran will hold talks in Istanbul on Friday with European parties to the nuclear deal, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said. These discussions follow a previously postponed meeting originally scheduled for May 2.

Araqchi explained that the Iranian deputy foreign minister would meet with diplomats from France, Britain, and Germany to continue dialogue and explore the potential parameters of a new nuclear deal being negotiated between Tehran and Washington.

Araqchi further commented that the fourth round of Iran-U.S. talks on May 11 had been "difficult" due to a focus on the contentious issue of nuclear enrichment. He expressed hope that the U.S. would approach the negotiations with "more realistic positions" after gaining a clearer understanding of Iran’s fundamental stance.

A fifth round of talks will be announced by Oman's foreign ministry, which has acted as a mediator since the start of the discussions on April 12.

Reacting to U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks made in Riyadh on Tuesday, where he described Iran as “the most destructive force” in the Middle East, Araqchi countered that it was the U.S. that had hindered Iran’s progress through sanctions. "Unfortunately, this is a deceptive view. It is the U.S. that has prevented Iran's progress through sanctions," Araqchi stated.

Copied