Iran announced it will host China and Russia on Tuesday for high-level discussions on its nuclear programme, as European nations threaten to reinstate sanctions.
Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei told a press briefing on Monday that a “trilateral consultation” will take place in Tehran, focusing on nuclear-related developments and the growing threat of renewed sanctions. He criticized Western countries for failing to uphold the 2015 nuclear accord. “The European signatories have shown negligence and failed in fulfilling their commitments under the deal,” Baqaei asserted.
The warning comes as Britain, France, and Germany—the so-called E3—have expressed frustration over Iran’s reluctance to re-engage in nuclear negotiations. They have cautioned that sanctions could be reimposed if Tehran continues to avoid talks.
In a related development, Iran confirmed that it has agreed to hold fresh negotiations with European powers in Istanbul on Friday, following a request from the E3. Baqaei stated that Iranian diplomats will meet their counterparts from Britain, France, and Germany for renewed dialogue.
A German diplomatic official, speaking on Sunday, said the E3 remain in communication with Tehran and reiterated their shared objective: “Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. That’s why Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are actively pursuing a lasting, verifiable diplomatic solution to the nuclear issue.”
Separately, Russian President Vladimir Putin met unexpectedly on Sunday with Ali Larijani, senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader on nuclear affairs, at the Kremlin. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Larijani briefed Putin on the rising tensions in the Middle East and the status of the nuclear programme. Putin, in turn, reiterated Russia’s long-standing position on promoting regional stability and pursuing a political resolution to Iran’s nuclear file.
