Iran and European Powers in Last-Ditch Nuclear Talks to Avoid U.N. Sanctions

Iran and European powers are holding urgent talks to prevent the revival of United Nations sanctions on Tehran, according to Iranian officials and Western diplomats. The foreign ministers of Iran, Britain, France, and Germany are set to meet on Tuesday during the U.N. General Assembly, as pressure mounts over Iran’s nuclear program.

The E3—Britain, France, and Germany—triggered a 30-day process on August 28 to restore U.N. sanctions, accusing Iran of breaching the 2015 nuclear deal designed to prevent the development of nuclear weapons. Iran maintains that its program is strictly peaceful.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned that European powers must choose “cooperation or confrontation,” stressing that Iran will not yield to threats. Officials confirmed ongoing discussions with the E3, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, and U.N. nuclear chief Rafael Grossi.

European powers have offered to delay sanctions for six months if Iran restores access for U.N. inspectors, addresses uranium stockpile concerns, and reopens dialogue with the United States. However, diplomats caution the chances of a breakthrough remain slim. One diplomat said the minimum expectation would be a special report and limited inspector access, though even that may not satisfy Washington.

If no deal is reached by September 27, all U.N. sanctions will return, deepening Iran’s economic crisis already strained by U.S. sanctions reimposed in 2018 after former President Donald Trump abandoned the accord. President Masoud Pezeshkian has vowed Iran will withstand renewed sanctions, but insiders note growing public discontent over the struggling economy.

Following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June, Tehran restricted IAEA access. A September 9 agreement partially restored inspections, but Iran’s leadership continues to resist external pressure. Araqchi said he remains in New York seeking a diplomatic solution before time runs out.