Iran’s Foreign Ministry says the absence of European countries in the negotiations was their own decision
The spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry says the reason for the absence of European countries in the ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington is their own choice.
Ismail Baghaei, in response to the question of whether Iran or the U.S. opposed the presence of Europeans in the negotiations, said it was neither; it was their own choice.
Mr. Baghaei’s statements about Europeans avoiding participation in the negotiations come at a time when Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister and chief nuclear negotiator, had announced four days ago his readiness to travel to Paris, Berlin, and London to talk with France, Germany, and Britain and improve relations with these countries. After my recent consultations in Moscow and Beijing, I am ready to take the first step by traveling to Paris, Berlin, and London. The ball is now in the court of the three European countries.
The three European powers, Britain, France, and Germany, announced last December that they were ready to activate the trigger mechanism to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons if necessary. This mechanism is included in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 for the automatic re-imposition of international sanctions.
Over the past three weeks, Iranian and American diplomats have held three rounds of negotiations concerning Iran’s nuclear program.
Analysts and diplomats say these negotiations have not been coordinated with the European countries.