by Admin
20/6/2025
Iran will meet with representatives from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany in Geneva on Friday, as part of diplomatic efforts to defuse growing tensions with Israel amid the threat of possible U.S. military action.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the meeting, declaring that the decision followed recent discussions with European counterparts aimed at preventing further escalation. His remarks were reported by Iran’s state news agency, IRNA.
European officials have also confirmed the meeting, including French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
The European trio, known as the E3, engaged in earlier talks with Araghchi this week, stressing the urgent need to revive negotiations and explore diplomatic solutions.
The face-to-face meeting in Geneva was proposed by Iran.
French President Emmanuel Macron has instructed his foreign minister to work closely with European allies to propose a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
Speaking in Paris after meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Barrot said the three European powers are prepared to contribute their expertise to the process.
“We are ready to take part in negotiations aimed at securing a permanent rollback of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes,” Barrot said.
British Foreign Secretary Lammy will travel to Geneva after concluding meetings in Washington with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
He said, “We are determined to ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon,” Lammy said. “There is a critical window over the next two weeks to pursue a diplomatic solution.”
Kaja Kallas reflected his view, emphasizing that diplomacy remains the most effective path forward to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Israel has described its recent military actions as preemptive strikes to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities.
Iran continues to refute the Israeli claims that it is pursuing nuclear weapons, maintaining that its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has stated that it has found no conclusive evidence of an Iranian nuclear weapons programme.
These intensified diplomatic efforts come as U.S. President Donald Trump announced he is considering direct military intervention.
On Thursday, he said he would decide within two weeks whether the U.S. will strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, citing what he called a “substantial chance” for a diplomatic breakthrough.
Trump’s administration has previously expressed concern about Iran’s heavily fortified Fordow enrichment facility, which lies deep underground and is considered impervious to all but advanced U.S. “bunker-buster” bombs.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced confidence in Trump’s decision-making. “I trust he’ll do what’s best for America. They’re already providing significant support,” he told reporters in Beersheba.
The upcoming Geneva talks will take place at a symbolic venue, where the initial 2013 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers was forged, paving the way for the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Diplomats hope Friday’s meeting will rekindle efforts to prevent the crisis from spiraling into a broader conflict.