Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi says Tehran is ready for “fair” negotiations if the West shows goodwill, hours after Britain, France, and Germany moved to reimpose UN sanctions.
Iran has declared itself ready to return to nuclear negotiations — but only under conditions of “fairness” and Western “goodwill” — as European powers moved to restore sweeping UN sanctions against Tehran.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi delivered the message in a letter to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Thursday, just hours after Britain, France, and Germany (the “E3”) announced they had formally triggered the “snapback” mechanism. The move sets in motion a 30-day process that could reinstate UN sanctions lifted under the now-defunct 2015 nuclear deal.
“Araghchi reaffirmed Iran’s readiness to resume fair and balanced diplomatic negotiations, on the condition that the other parties show seriousness and goodwill and avoid actions that harm the chances of success,” Reuters quoted the letter as saying.
The E3’s decision comes amid growing frustration with Tehran. Despite multiple rounds of talks, Iran has not agreed to resume UN inspections or account for its expanded stockpile of enriched uranium. Officials also demanded Tehran engage in renewed diplomacy, potentially involving the United States — which Iran has repeatedly ruled out for direct talks.
According to a letter submitted to the UN Security Council, the Europeans acted before an October deadline that would have stripped them of authority to trigger the snapback. Their move followed months of stalemate and what diplomats described as Iran’s failure to present “tangible deliverables.”
The tension has been compounded by Iran’s fury over the June joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on its nuclear facilities, an escalation that has hardened Tehran’s position. A source familiar with the talks told Axios’ Barak Ravid that the Iranians “haven’t put tangible detailed deliverables on the table.”
If the snapback process proceeds, it will mark a major diplomatic setback for Iran, effectively restoring all pre-deal UN sanctions — including arms restrictions and economic penalties — and pushing Tehran closer to isolation.
