Iranian delegations and representatives of the so-called E3 group (France, Britain and Germany) arrived at the Iranian consulate in Istanbul this morning for a new round of nuclear talks, Reuters reports, BTA reports.
For the first time since June, after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, senior diplomats from the three European countries will meet with Iranian negotiators to discuss the future of Tehran's nuclear program.
On the eve of the meeting, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran's position remains unchanged.
„Uranium enrichment will continue. "We will not give up this right of the Iranian people," Araghchi said in a video broadcast by state media. He described the talks as a "continuation of previous discussions" and stressed that "the world must understand - our position is clear and unchanging."
Tehran sees the meeting as an opportunity for Europe to rethink its approach. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai said:
"This is a moment for a realistic assessment by the Europeans and a valuable opportunity to adjust their views on Iran's nuclear program," the official IRNA news agency quoted him as saying.
The Istanbul meeting is expected to determine whether there is a basis for resuming broader diplomatic efforts to curb Iran's nuclear program and reduce tensions in the region.