An Iranian official has denied reports that Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi would meet with officials from Britain, France, and Germany in Vienna to discuss sanctions related to Tehran’s nuclear program. The denial comes amid a looming deadline for the reimposition of United Nations sanctions, which European powers have threatened to activate through the "snapback mechanism" unless Iran complies with specific conditions. Instead, Araqchi is headed to New York, highlighting Iran’s focus on broader diplomatic engagement rather than isolated talks with European nations .
European Demands
The European trio (E3) initiated a 30-day process at the end of August to reimpose UN sanctions unless Iran grants UN inspectors access to verify its enriched uranium stockpile and engages in negotiations with the United States. They have proposed a conditional six-month delay in sanctions reimposition, contingent on Iran’s cooperation. However, recent discussions between Iranian and European ministers yielded no breakthroughs, with diplomats citing lingering tensions over verification processes and regional security concerns .
Uncertainty Over Uranium Stockpiles
The status of Iran’s enriched uranium reserves remains unclear since June 2025, when Israeli and U.S. bombings targeted Iranian nuclear sites, including facilities at Natanz and Fordow. The attacks disrupted IAEA monitoring efforts, and Iran subsequently limited cooperation with inspectors, citing security concerns. Before the bombings, Iran had significantly increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near-weapons-grade levels (60%), with estimates suggesting it possessed enough material for multiple nuclear weapons if further enriched. However, Tehran maintains that its nuclear activities are exclusively peaceful and aligned with its rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty .
Iran’s Stance on Peaceful Nuclear Energy
Iran has consistently asserted that its nuclear program is for civilian purposes, such as energy production and medical research. The country operates one nuclear power reactor at Bushehr, with additional units under construction, and emphasizes its commitment to international norms despite external pressures. The West, however, argues that Iran’s enrichment levels exceed civilian needs and raise proliferation risks. The IAEA has called for greater transparency, but Iran insists that its activities are lawful and that sanctions are unjustly punitive.