Representatives of three European countries – Germany, the UK and France – met in Geneva on Tuesday with Iran in a last-ditch effort to avert reimposing UN sanctions on Iran's nuclear programme.
Talks have intensified in the past weeks as the deadline looms for the three European countries, collectively known as the E3, to trigger a mechanism that would reinstate six suspended UN Security Council resolutions.
Kazem Gharibabadi, an Iranian deputy foreign minister who attended the talks with Britain, France and Germany in Geneva, said in a post on X it was "high time" for the European trio "to make the right choice and give diplomacy time and space".
"It was decided that contacts between the two sides would continue in the coming days," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told state TV after the talks ended.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warned last week that “time is running out” after speaking to his counterparts on the phone, including Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Tuesday's meeting was confirmed by European sources to The National after Iran state media reported that officials would gather to discuss Iran's nuclear programme. On the table is UN resolution 2231, which endorsed a deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). It is set to expire on October 18.
While they appear intent on triggering the “snapback” mechanism, the Europeans suggested during talks with Iran in Istanbul last month that resolution 2231 was extended by six months to allow more time for negotiations – a proposal that has so far received no response.
The E3 want Iran to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to resume inspections. It must also cease violations of the deal, which include uranium stockpiles representing more than 40 times the limit.
In Geneva, Iran was represented by its deputy foreign ministers, and European countries by their foreign ministries' political directors. Similar meetings took place in July, February, and November 2024.
Triggering snapback must be done before the end of August in order to launch procedures that would meet an October deadline. The UN resolutions include arms embargoes, frozen assets and restrictions on Iran’s missile and nuclear programmes.
There is a perception that Iran is ignoring Europe's offer to extend talks because it believes that reinstating UN sanctions cannot be worse than the 12-day US and Israeli bombing campaign in June. Israel's surprise aerial attacks derailed nuclear talks between Iran and the US which had begun in April. Iran is already under a US embargo.
Iran has been closely co-ordinating with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who spoke to his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian before the Geneva talks. Iran's sole civilian power plant in Bushehr is fuelled with Russian-imported uranium. Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful.
Russia, set to assume the presidency of the UN Security Council in September, has circulated a very short draft, seen by The National, calling for the extension of resolution 2231 by six months till April 2026.
The document acknowledges "the importance of finding a negotiated diplomatic solution to the issues related to resolution 2231 (2015)" and recognises "the necessity of allowing additional time for negotiations on this matter".
The draft would not allow the E3 to trigger snapback for six months.
Iran has publicly rejected the idea of an extension of resolution 2231 and has threatened to withdraw from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty if snapback is triggered.
The years Ramadan fell in May
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30, December 1-2
International Vets
Christina Noble Children’s Foundation fixtures
Thursday, November 30:
10.20am, Pitch 3, v 100 World Legends Project
1.20pm, Pitch 4, v Malta Marauders
Friday, December 1:
9am, Pitch 4, v SBA Pirates
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
