2025 Iran–European nuclear talks

2025 Iran–European nuclear talks began on 20 June 2025, between Iran and European powers led by the E-3 (France, Germany, and the UK) in response to the ongoing escalation in the Iran–Israel War.^[1][2]

History

In April 2025, the United States and Iran began indirect negotiations mediated by Oman and Italy.^[3] The talks focused on Iran's nuclear program and specifically on uranium enrichment levels. The US aimed to reach an agreement that would reduce enrichment levels, while Iran sought sanctions relief and to buy time. These talks eventually failed, and the sixth round was cancelled after Israel's airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites. The war brought the talks to a complete halt.^[4][5]

On 20 June, European foreign ministers met in Geneva to speak directly with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, following the halted talks between the US and Iran. The European delegation stressed the importance of reducing tensions and restarting diplomatic talks. Araghchi repeated Iran's stance that talks with the U.S. would not resume while tensions remained, but he was open to discussing nuclear and regional issues with European officials.^[5][6][7] Simultaneously, President Donald Trump indicated that the U.S. would decide within two weeks whether to take military action against Iran, contingent upon the progress of diplomatic efforts.^[8]

Positions

Shift in European policy

European leaders have increasingly supported the U.S. position, calling for Iran to completely stop its uranium enrichment activities. This is a shift from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which allowed Iran to keep some enrichment activities. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul have stressed that Iran must stop enriching uranium, limit its missile program, and stop supporting militant groups in the region.^[7]

Iran's position

Iran says its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes and has refused to stop enriching uranium completely. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has declared that nuclear weapons are against Islam, and the country insists it has not worked on developing nuclear weapons since 2009.^[9][10]

See also

• 2025 United States–Iran negotiations
• 2025 Iranian protests
• 2025 U.S.–Houthi ceasefire
• Abraham Accords
• Iran Nuclear Achievements Protection Act
• Iran Prosperity Project
• Iranian financial crisis
• List of diplomatic missions of Iran
• Middle Eastern crisis (2023–present)
• Nuclear Command Corps
• Port of Shahid Rajaee explosion
• Supreme Nuclear Committee of Iran