Threatened With European Trio Sanctions, Iran Agrees To Continue Nuclear Negotiations

JAKARTA - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi together with the French, British and German Foreign Ministers agreed to continue negotiations next week on nuclear issues.

Three major European powers have threatened to reactivate United Nations (UN) sanctions against Iran by "snapback" mechanism if Tehran does not re-negotiate on the deal to curb its disputed uranium enrichment program.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul confirmed next week's negotiations and warned Iran sanctions would come back into effect unless Iran reached a verified and sustainable agreement to ease concerns about its nuclear ambitions.

Wadephul reiterated the very short time and Iran needs to engage substantively.

Iranian state media reported that Araghchi and British, French and German foreign ministers agreed that negotiations would resume next Tuesday. Negotiations were represented by each representative of the foreign minister.

During the phone call, AragCHI stressed "the country's legal and moral inability to use the (snapback) mechanism, and warned of the consequences of the action", Iranian media reported.

The European trio, together with the US, argues Iran is using its nuclear energy program to potentially develop weapons capabilities that violate the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran says it only wants civilian nuclear power.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog, said Iran would not develop a nuclear bomb at all.

Meanwhile, the US Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, said in March intelligence officials had not found any evidence that Iran was developing nuclear weapons.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has suspended nuclear negotiations with the United States, aimed at curbing the acceleration of its enrichment program, after the US and Israel bombed its nuclear site in a 12-day war in June.

Since then, IAEA inspectors have not been able to access Iran's nuclear installation, although IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi stated that inspections remain important.

Iran and three European powers last met in Geneva on June 20, when the war was still raging and there were few signs of progress.

Iran's state broadcaster said the Iranian delegation would leave for Vienna on Friday to meet with IAEA officials. However, no further details were provided.