European nations are preparing to re-engage Iran in fresh negotiations over its nuclear ambitions, marking the first diplomatic outreach since the United States launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities a month ago.
A German diplomatic official confirmed on Sunday that Britain, France, and Germany — collectively known as the E3 — are currently coordinating with Tehran to arrange talks within the coming week.
The European trio had recently cautioned Iran that failure to return to the negotiating table could lead to the reinstatement of international sanctions, a threat underscoring the urgency of renewed dialogue.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran has agreed in principle to resume discussions with the European powers, though details such as timing and venue are still being finalised.
Diplomatic consultations remain underway as both sides seek a pathway back to stalled negotiations amid heightened regional tensions.
“Iran must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon,” the German source said.
“That is why Germany, France and the United Kingdom are continuing to work intensively in the E3 format to find a sustainable and verifiable diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear programme,” the source added.
Israel and Western nations have long accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran has consistently denied.
On June 13, Israel launched a wave of surprise strikes on its regional nemesis, targeting key military and nuclear facilities.
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The United States launched its own set of strikes against Iran’s nuclear programme on June 22, hitting the uranium enrichment facility at Fordo, in Qom province south of Tehran, as well as nuclear sites in Isfahan and Natanz.
Iran and the United States had held several rounds of nuclear negotiations through Omani mediators before Israel launched its 12-day war against Iran.
Efforts to revive negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme have hit a major setback following President Donald Trump’s decision to support Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, effectively halting diplomatic progress.
Talks between Iran and European powers had last convened in Geneva on June 21, just a day before the US-backed attacks took place, bringing the discussions to an abrupt standstill.
Meanwhile, in a significant development on Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin held an unexpected meeting at the Kremlin with Ali Larijani, senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader on nuclear affairs.
According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, Larijani briefed Putin on the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Middle East and the mounting tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear activities. In response, Putin reiterated Moscow’s established stance advocating for a political resolution to the crisis and underscored Russia’s proposals for regional stability.
Despite its close ties with Tehran and its role as a critical ally, Moscow has refrained from offering unequivocal support for Iran following the joint US-Israeli strikes, signalling a cautious diplomatic approach amid rising regional volatility.