Senior Turkish sources reported on Friday that nuclear negotiations between Iran and Europe have begun in the city of Istanbul, Turkey.
The sources stated that “the European diplomatic delegation arrived on Friday morning at the Iranian consulate in Istanbul, with the aim of consulting with the Iranian delegation and conducting nuclear negotiations.
They added that the three European countries (Germany, France, and the United Kingdom) aim to intensify pressure on Tehran to re-engage in serious nuclear talks.
One diplomat noted that the European “Troika” is working to reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran. Although the 2015 Vienna Agreement is largely inactive, it officially expires in mid-October.
According to the sources, the main European demands include:
- Renewed access for UN nuclear inspectors
- Clarification on the fate of 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, whose whereabouts have been unknown since the U.S. attack on Iranian nuclear facilities
Earlier today, the British newspaper Financial Times revealed that some European countries are planning to give Iran a grace period before imposing sanctions related to its nuclear program.