Iran and EU hold 'frank exchange' on nuclear and other issues

Iranian negotiators held talks with the deputy head of the EU’s External Action Service on Thursday, setting the stage for Friday’s negotiations between the Islamic Republic and the three European nations collectively known as the E3.

A meeting is scheduled for Friday between the three European signatories of the 2015 JCPOA nuclear accord—the United Kingdom, France, and Germany (E3)—and the Islamic Republic, with the participation of EU representative Enrique Mora, who met with the Iranian envoys.

Both sides issued posts on X briefly describing the discussions, with widely different accounts, except calling the exchange as frank.

The EU official, Mora, enumerated the issues he brought to the attention of Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Kazem Gharibabadi, both Iran’s deputy foreign ministers.

“Frank exchange with Iran Deputy FM @TakhtRavanchi and @Gharibabadi on Iran’s military support to Russia that has to stop, the nuclear issue that needs a diplomatic solution, regional tensions (important to avoid further escalation from all sides) and human rights,” Mora tweeted.

Gharibabadi, tweeting on behalf of the Iranian side, detailed a lengthy list of alleged mistakes and missteps by the European Union and European powers.

“It was reaffirmed to him [Mora] that EU should abandon its self-centered and irresponsible behaviour towards issues and challenges of this continent and international matters,” he said.

The Iranian diplomat accused the European side of deflecting its own problems and mistakes onto others, particularly regarding the war in Ukraine. European nations have strongly condemned Iran’s role as a weapons supplier to Russia and have imposed sanctions on numerous companies and individuals linked to Tehran’s government.

Gharibabadi also strongly criticized Europe’s stance on Iran’s nuclear program, as Paris, London and Berlin have adopted a tougher position, backing a recent censure against Tehran at a meeting of UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.

“Similarly, with regard to the nuclear issue of Iran, Europe has failed to be a serious player due to lack of self-confidence and responsibility. Europe is in need of self-recovery,” the Iranian diplomat said.

Iran’s government-controlled media has projected a positive tone regarding the talks with the Europeans, as US sanctions pose increasingly difficult challenges for Tehran. However, Gharibabadi’s tweet does not reflect a more flexible Iranian position.