Negotiations between the foreign ministers of Iran, the UK, France, Germany and the EU foreign policy chief took place in Geneva on 20 June. Judging by the statements of the parties, no breakthrough was achieved, but the talks decided to continue.
The meeting also called on Iran to return to the negotiating table with the United States, in which Iran stopped participating after the Israeli attack. Tehran insists it will not do so until the fighting ends.
It was the first face-to-face meeting between Western and Iranian officials since the crisis centred around Iran’s nuclear programme escalated into mutual air strikes between Israel and Iran.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said European countries had “made it clear” that Iran could not have nuclear weapons. Tehran has officially denied for years the existence of a military nuclear programme.
Lemmi called today’s discussion “constructive.”
European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas said the sides in Geneva had agreed to continue contacts on “nuclear and broader issues” and planned to “keep discussions open”.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi backed the continuation of talks with Britain, France, Germany and the EU, expressing readiness to meet again “in the near future.”
The day before, British foreign policy chief David Lemmy met with US Secretary of State Mark Rubio. After the meeting, Lemmy wrote on social network X that there is now a window of opportunity – about two weeks – to reach a diplomatic solution between Israel and Iran.
The White House said the day before that President Donald Trump will make a decision on whether or not the US will join strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities within two weeks. The statement noted that there is still room for negotiation. Earlier, Trump published calls for Iran’s “surrender”, insisting on its complete abandonment of its nuclear programme. Tehran’s official position remains unchanged – it is ready to confirm that it will not develop nuclear weapons, but will not give up nuclear research.
Israel and Iran have been exchanging strikes since 13 June. According to The Wall Street Journal, President Donald Trump has approved a plan for a US attack on Iran, but has not yet ordered its implementation.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei earlier warned that any US military intervention would lead to irreparable consequences.