WANA (Jul 18) – European sources report that the foreign ministers of the UK, France, and Germany, along with the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi amid rising tensions and a deadlock in nuclear talks.

 

The call came after Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and the suspension of indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington. According to the French Foreign Ministry, the European diplomats warned Iran that without tangible progress toward a deal, they would trigger the UN sanctions “snapback” mechanism.

 

As reported by France 24, the ministers urged Iran to return swiftly to the diplomatic path and achieve real, verifiable, and lasting progress in the talks by the end of summer, as the current temporary arrangement expires in October.

 

This warning comes after nuclear negotiations—mediated by Oman since April—have effectively stalled since June, following the joint military attacks by Israel and the U.S. on Iranian soil.

 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the U.S. strikes as “a betrayal of diplomacy” and “an unprecedented blow to the rule of law, international norms, and the non-proliferation regime.”

Arak nuclear facility after U.S. strike. Social media/ WANA News Agency

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, recently stated in a televised interview that no official notification had been received regarding the European troika’s intention to activate the snapback. “But we’re preparing ourselves,” he said. “Snapback is their only card. It should not be welcomed—but if they go through with it, they will eliminate themselves from any further engagement with Iran.”

 

Gharibabadi added, “Which JCPOA are they even referring to? The U.S. left, and the Europeans failed to uphold their commitments. There’s no valid basis. We’ve told them this is a confrontational path. Don’t think snapback gives you leverage—it only complicates matters. Still, we’ll continue engaging with the Europeans to assess the situation.”

Iran's Foreign Minister’s Account of Joint Video Conference with European Officials / WANA News Agency

Iran’s Foreign Minister’s Account of Joint Video Conference with European Officials / WANA News Agency

Iran’s Foreign Minister’s Account of Joint Video Conference with European Officials

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, wrote on his X account:

 

“Last night, I held a joint video conference with the foreign ministers of the three European countries (E3) and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, I clearly stated the following points:

 

It was the United States—not Iran—that withdrew from the agreement reached in 2015 after two years of negotiations and coordination with the European Union. And it was the U.S.—not Iran—that walked away from the negotiating table this June and chose the military option instead.

 

Any new round of negotiations will only be possible if the other side is genuinely prepared for a fair, balanced nuclear agreement based on mutual interests.

 

If the European Union and the E3 wish to play a constructive role, they must act responsibly and abandon the worn-out policy of threats and pressure, including the threat of triggering the ‘snapback’ mechanism—a measure that lacks any moral or legal foundation.”