nuclear talks in Geneva

By Arne Bänsch

Geneva/Tehran (dpa) — Nuclear talks between government representatives from Tehran, Berlin, London and Paris ended on Tuesday evening in Geneva without a breakthrough.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ismail Baghai, told state television that the parties had shared their views during the Geneva meeting. Without a breakthrough, the dispute over Iran’s controversial nuclear programme risks escalating politically.

Just over a month ago, government representatives from Germany, Britain and France, known collectively as the E3, met with Iranian envoys in Istanbul.

The aim was to increase political pressure on the Islamic Republic to push the Iranian leadership towards a diplomatic agreement.

It was the first round of talks following the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June.

The Europeans have threatened Iran with the reintroduction of old UN sanctions – known as a snapback – if no solution to the nuclear dispute is found by the end of August.

As co-signatories of the 2015 Vienna nuclear agreement, the E3 can activate the snapback mechanism, which provides for the reintroduction of severe punitive measures.

“We explained our positions very clearly and transparently during today’s negotiations. We also listened to the other side’s points,” Baghai told state television.

The reintroduction of UN sanctions is not justified from Iran’s point of view, Baghai said.

Iran had committed to limiting its nuclear programme under the Vienna nuclear deal, with sanctions set to be lifted in return.

However, during his first term, US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the agreement, which had been signed under Democratic president Barack Obama, and imposed new, tougher sanctions on Iran.

In response, the Iranian leadership stopped complying with the deal’s restrictions and resumed uranium enrichment.

The nuclear dispute is rooted in Western fears that Iran may be seeking to develop nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran denies.