Iran ready for new chapter with Europe in nuclear talks

Iranian authorities today expressed their willingness to "open a new chapter" with European countries, while they threaten to reimpose sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear program.

"Iran is ready to open a new chapter in its relations with Europe if it sees the true will and independent approach of the European parties," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said at a diplomatic forum in Tehran.

France, the UK and Germany, along with the US, China and Russia, are members of the nuclear deal concluded with Iran in 2015.

The text, which provides for the lifting of sanctions against Tehran in exchange for a framework for its nuclear activities, became de facto obsolete after the US withdrew from the agreement in 2018, during Donald Trump's first presidential term.

European diplomats claim they have the ability to trigger a mechanism in the 2015 agreement that allows for the reimposition of international sanctions against Tehran.

"If Europe has the will to correct this situation, Iran sees no obstacle to restoring mutual trust and developing relations" with European countries, Araghchi said.

French authorities said in late April that Europe would not hesitate "for a second" to reimpose sanctions against Tehran if its nuclear program threatened European security.

Iran held talks with European powers in Turkey on Friday about its nuclear program, following the fourth round of talks between Iran and the United States, held last week with the mediation of Oman.