Key points
- Araghchi will meet with his French, German, British and EU counterparts in Geneva today
- A window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution: UK
- Iran rejects any negotiation with US while Israeli attacks continue: Iranian FM
ISLAMABAD: European foreign ministers will hold talks with their Iranian counterpart on Friday.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet with his French, German, British and EU counterparts in Geneva on Friday to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme, AFP reported.
According to AFP European leaders have urged de-escalation in Iran-Israel conflict, while Trump has said he would decide “within the next two weeks” whether to involve the United States in the conflict.
“A window now exists”
AFP cited Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy as saying “a window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution”, while agreeing with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that “Iran can never develop or acquire a nuclear weapon”.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the United States was both aware and supportive of the meeting taking place in Geneva.
“Not long-term solutions”
France’s foreign ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine said the diplomatic route would be the only way to ensure Iran respects its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
“Military solutions are not long-term solutions,” he told French radio station Cnews.
Iran’s Araghchi, however, rejected any prospect of talks with the United States so long as Israel continues its attacks.
“The Americans have repeatedly sent messages calling seriously for negotiations. But we have made clear that as long as the aggression does not stop, there will be no place for diplomacy and dialogue,” AFP cited Iranian Foreign Minister as saying.
Al Jazeera reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has told state television that he is not prepared for talks with anyone while Israeli attacks continue, ahead of a scheduled meeting with European counterparts in Geneva.
