Iran has proposed holding a meeting with the European signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal— Britain, France, and Germany — likely in Rome on Friday, if nuclear negotiations with the US move forward, according to a report
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Iran has proposed holding a meeting with the European signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal— Britain, France, and Germany — likely in Rome on Friday, if nuclear negotiations with the US move forward, according to a Reuters report, citing four diplomats on Monday.
The European parties, however, have yet to formally respond to the proposal.
The initiative comes after renewed discussions between Iran and the US in Oman over the weekend, as well as separate talks with Russia and China last week.
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According to Reuters, Omani officials have indicated that another round of US-Iran talks could be held in Europe on May 3, though no final decision has been made.
By reaching out to the so-called E3, Iran appears to be testing diplomatic waters and gauging European positions on the possible reimposition of UN sanctions in October, when the resolution endorsing the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is due to expire, added the report.
According to the report, citing two European diplomats and one Western official, Tehran conveyed the proposal for a meeting in Rome shortly after its latest talks with the US on Saturday. Should the Rome meeting not be feasible, Iran also floated the possibility of holding discussions in Tehran before that date, it added.
An Iranian official confirmed the outreach but said the E3 had not yet responded, reported Reuters.
European and Western diplomats said the E3 is currently weighing whether engaging with Iran at this stage would be beneficial or whether to wait for further progress in US-Iran negotiations. However, they ruled out the possibility of holding any meeting in Tehran.
The second round of direct discussions between Tehran and Washington also reportedly took place in Rome, with Iran stating that serious differences remain between the two sides.
“It is important to remain on the same page with all parties to the 2015 deal. Therefore, meeting the E3 countries this week ahead of the next round of talks wi