Iran and European powers (UK, France, Germany) held their first direct nuclear negotiations since U.S.-Israeli strikes bombed Iranian nuclear sites in June. During the four-hour Istanbul meeting, Iranian Deputy FM Kazem Gharibabadi delivered a "serious, frank, and detailed" critique of European support for the "war of aggression" against Iran. Both sides presented proposals on sanctions relief and nuclear issues, agreeing to continue consultations despite unresolved tensions.
The E3 demanded Iran commit to halting high-level uranium enrichment, cooperating fully with IAEA inspectors, and accounting for 400kg of near-weapons-grade uranium missing since June’s attacks. Tehran dismissed calls to extend UN Resolution 2231 (governing the 2015 nuclear deal) as "meaningless and baseless." Iran insists sanctions relief must precede concessions, citing "shattered trust" after the U.S. unilaterally abandoned the deal in 2018.
While Western powers allege Iran’s uranium stockpile poses proliferation risks, IAEA reports confirm Iran enriches uranium only to 60% purity, well below the 90% needed for weapons. President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated Iran’s compliance with Supreme Leader Khamenei’s religious edict banning nuclear weapons, emphasizing the program’s civilian purpose as "a source of national pride".
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi expressed optimism inspections could resume in 2025 but stressed Iran must clarify safety protocols for inspectors visiting bomb-damaged sites like Natanz. While the U.S. claimed its June strikes "obliterated" Iran’s nuclear capabilities, assessments revealed only one of three targeted facilities was severely damaged. Fordow’s critical enrichment site remains operational deep within a mountain fortress.