Iran insists diplomacy is the only way to resolve the decades Nuclear Dispute In the West, Foreign Secretary Abbas Araqchi told Iran’s state television on Monday, adding that it is time for the West to choose to “cooperate or confront” amid imminent sanctions.
Britain, France and Germany, known as E3, launched a 30-day process on August 28 to re-implement UN sanctions, accusing Tehran of failing to comply with the 2015 agreement with the world powers designed to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.
Arakchi said he will be held in New York with his European counterpart and head of the UN nuclear watchdog Rafael Grossi, who met this week on a UN General Assembly view to discuss Iran’s nuclear program.
Two European diplomats told Reuters The meeting will be held on Tuesday.
“They tested Iran repeatedly and knew we were not responding to the language of stress and threats,” Araqchi said. “I hope we can find a diplomatic solution in the coming days or else Tehran will take appropriate measures.”
If Iran restores access to UN nuclear inspectors into its nuclear sites, European powers have proposed delaying sanctions for up to six months – to give diplomacy opportunities, which has linked people’s inventory of its wealthy uranium and its recovery to the United States.
But amid the looming sanctions threat, two European diplomats said Iran’s instrumental rulers have so far failed to meet the conditions set by E3.
One of the diplomats said: “The ball is in the camp in Iran. It depends on it taking specific steps quickly in the coming days to avoid snapshots.
If Tehran and E3 fail to reach an agreement by the end of September 27, all UN sanctions will be re-imposed on Iran, where the economy has struggled with sanctions violations since President Donald Trump revoked the convention in 2018.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday that Iran will overcome any re-imposition UN sanctionsbut an insider said that under the economic situation, many Iranians are increasingly dissatisfied with the Islamic Republic, with few signs of an answer from its leaders.
Shortly after the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iranian nuclear site in June, the Iranian parliament passed a law to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and stipulated that any inspection must be approved by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
On September 9, the International Atomic Energy Agency and Tehran reached an agreement to resume inspections of nuclear sites.
“I used the rest of my days in New York for diplomatic consultations, which could lead to solutions… If there is no solution, we will continue our path.”
Iran’s nuclear diplomacy is at a “difficult moment”
Meanwhile, Grossi told AFP Diplomatic efforts to resolve disputes over Iran’s nuclear program are “a difficult juncture”, but dialogue will continue.
The UN Security Council voted on Friday to recorrect the frozen UN sanctions after three European government governments activated a “quick return” mechanism in a one-year nuclear deal, accusing Iran of violating the law.
“This is obviously a very difficult juncture. This is a very difficult situation we are facing right now,” the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said, adding that negotiations were planned in New York today.
“It is important that the exchange is continuing. We plan to meet each other today, Monday, New York, with more meetings in the week.”
Friday’s vote means that sanctions lifted due to Iran’s nuclear activities proposed in Iran in 2015 transactions will take effect again on September 28 unless Iran can convince the Council to surrender next week.
Tehran said operations by major European powers (UK, France and Germany) undermined months with the IAEA, aiming to resume monitoring and ensure compliance with international rules.
Grossi praised French President Emmanuel Macron for his active diplomacy to save a deal and said communication still exists between Tehran and Washington.
“Emmanuel Macron was very present and has been around throughout history and I respect him very much,” Grossi said.
“I think the Special Envoy, Steve Witkov was also involved and actively explored different channels and put forward a lot of ideas,” Grossi said.
Grossi said his conversation with Vikov allowed him to understand Washington’s position and red line.
“The IAEA is not a party to the agreement, but is essential in every case. So we continue to work with Ambassador Witkoff,” Grossi said.
Western governments have long accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons capabilities, ambition Tehran denies.
Tehran also criticized the IAEA’s failure to condemn Israel and the United States’ strikes.
Paris, London and Berlin stressed their demands to grant IAEA inspectors full access to nuclear sites, including those attacked by Israel and the United States in June last year.
They also called for the resumption of negotiations, especially in the United States.
Tehran said it was resorting to political pressure and accused Europeans of not accepting the proposal of “balance”, details of which have not been disclosed.
“We’re not people don’t talk to each other, but you have to convince them to be together,” Grossi said.
“Does this mean I’m optimistic? Well, neither optimistic nor pessimistic,” he said.
“If we don’t have it, I think we have to ship (right) as soon as possible (right) to avoid long confrontations and even more attacks.” Grossi also said he will replace Antonio Guterres as UN Secretary-General at the end of December 2026.
