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Iran to hold nuclear talks with France, Germany and UK on Nov.29

The flag of Iran flutters in the wind outside of the IAEA headquarters during the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA's Board of Governors meeting at the agency's headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on November 20, 2024. (AFP Photo)
The flag of Iran flutters in the wind outside of the IAEA headquarters during the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA's Board of Governors meeting at the agency's headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on November 20, 2024. (AFP Photo)
November 24, 2024 04:54 PM GMT+03:00

Iran announced it will engage in nuclear talks with France, Germany and the United Kingdom on Friday, days after a United Nations atomic watchdog resolution criticized its cooperation on nuclear issues.

Venue, agenda

According to Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei, the meeting will also touch on topics such as the Palestinian and Lebanese issues. The upcoming dialogue follows similar discussions held in September during the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

The Swiss foreign ministry has not confirmed hosting the event but directed inquiries to the involved nations.

A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency shows President Masoud Pezeshkian welcoming International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi (L) during a meeting in Tehran on November 14, 2024. (AFP Photo)
A handout picture provided by the Iranian presidency shows President Masoud Pezeshkian welcoming International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi (L) during a meeting in Tehran on November 14, 2024. (AFP Photo)

UN resolution sparks response

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed a resolution on Thursday, criticizing Iran’s lack of transparency in its nuclear program. This came after IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi's recent visit to Tehran, where progress was reportedly made, including an agreement to cap Iran’s uranium enrichment at 60%.

In response, Iran activated advanced centrifuges to expand uranium enrichment capacity. Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesperson for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, said the move significantly increases enrichment output while reiterating Iran’s commitment to technical cooperation with the IAEA.

The IAEA flag flutters in the wind outside of the IAEA headquarters during the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA's Board of Governors meeting at the agency's headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on November 20, 2024. (AFP Photo)
The IAEA flag flutters in the wind outside of the IAEA headquarters during the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA's Board of Governors meeting at the agency's headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on November 20, 2024. (AFP Photo)

Historical context of Iran's nuclear program

Iran’s nuclear program has been under scrutiny since the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which offered sanctions relief for restrictions on uranium enrichment.

The United States withdrew from the accord in 2018 under then-President Donald Trump, prompting Iran to escalate enrichment activities and restrict access for U.N. inspectors.

Efforts to revive the JCPOA under President Joe Biden have stalled, while Iran insists diplomacy remains its preferred resolution pathway.

A worker rides a bicycle in front of the reactor building of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southwestern Iran. (Photo by Majid Asgaripour/AP)BUSHEHR, IRAN - AUGUST 21: This handout image supplied by the IIPA (Iran International Photo Agency) shows a view of the reactor building at the Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant as the first fuel is loaded, on August 21, 2010 in Bushehr, southern Iran. The Russiian built and operated nuclear power station has taken 35 years to build due to a series of sanctions imposed by the United Nations. The move has satisfied International concerns that Iran were intending to produce a nuclear weapon, but the facility's uranium fuel will fall well below the enrichment level needed for weapons-grade uranium. The plant is likely to begin electrictity production in a month. (Photo by IIPA via Getty Images)Iran's nuclear facilities. (Image by Tugce Atmaca/Türkiye Today)
A worker rides a bicycle in front of the reactor building of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southwestern Iran. (Photo by Majid Asgaripour/AP)BUSHEHR, IRAN - AUGUST 21: This handout image supplied by the IIPA (Iran International Photo Agency) shows a view of the reactor building at the Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant as the first fuel is loaded, on August 21, 2010 in Bushehr, southern Iran. The Russiian built and operated nuclear power station has taken 35 years to build due to a series of sanctions imposed by the United Nations. The move has satisfied International concerns that Iran were intending to produce a nuclear weapon, but the facility's uranium fuel will fall well below the enrichment level needed for weapons-grade uranium. The plant is likely to begin electrictity production in a month. (Photo by IIPA via Getty Images)Iran's nuclear facilities. (Image by Tugce Atmaca/Türkiye Today)

Focus on upcoming talks

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, a proponent of diplomatic engagement, said his government seeks to address ambiguities surrounding its nuclear activities.

The meeting’s outcome is seen as a critical step in reducing tensions and paving the way for future agreements.

November 24, 2024 04:54 PM GMT+03:00
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