Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani announced that ongoing discussions between Iran and the three European countries regarding the nuclear file are facing "increasing complications."
In an interview with Russia's Sputnik news agency on Saturday, she stated that the current talks are not classified as formal negotiations.
She clarified that what’s happening now between Iran and the three European countries is an exchange of views regarding the nuclear issue, which is currently facing “complicated conditions,” according to her.
Mohajerani also emphasized, in reference to five rounds of indirect talks between Iranian and American representatives, that Tehran has never obstructed communication with European counterparts.
She said, "I must emphasize that the Iranian regime has never been an obstacle to dialogue with European countries on various issues."
She noted that negotiations—defined as efforts to reach a formal agreement—are not currently taking place in that sense. Most of the interactions focus on exchanging opinions.
These comments came a week after the end of negotiations between European diplomats and the Iranian delegation at Iran’s consulate in Istanbul regarding nuclear talks.
The European trio (Germany, France, and the United Kingdom) aims to increase pressure on Tehran to re-engage in serious nuclear negotiations.
Furthermore, Europe warned that without progress, the European troika may activate mechanisms to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran.
European Warning
Although the 2015 Vienna Agreement is largely inactive, it officially expires in mid-October.
Key European demands include restoring access for UN nuclear inspectors and clarifying the fate of 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, the whereabouts of which have remained unknown since the U.S. attack on Iranian nuclear facilities.
These were the first negotiations since the ceasefire following the 12-day war between Israel and Iran last June.