News Brief
European Powers To Hold Nuclear Talks With Iran In Geneva Amid Escalating West Asia Tensions: Report
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As tensions soar in West Asia, the foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Britain are set to meet their Iranian counterpart in Geneva on Friday (20 June) for crucial talks over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, according to a Reuters reported, citing a German diplomatic source.
The meeting will take place after the foreign ministers will first meet with the European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, at Germany's permanent mission in Geneva.
The talks come in the wake of heightened military exchanges between Israel and Iran, stoking fears of a wider regional war.
Last week’s large-scale Israeli strikes on Iranian positions were met with a barrage of Iranian missile attacks on Israeli targets, rattling global leaders and markets alike.
In light of the crisis, European diplomats are reportedly making a coordinated push in alignment with the United States to extract firm guarantees from Iran that its nuclear programme will remain strictly civilian.
A structured dialogue involving technical experts is expected to follow the ministerial-level discussions.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has drawn Tehran’s ire by backing Israel’s military actions and warning Iran of even greater destruction if it fails to de-escalate.
His remarks have been sharply criticised by Iranian officials.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul struck a more conciliatory note, calling on Iran’s leadership to engage meaningfully.
“It’s never too late to come to the negotiating table,” he urged on Wednesday, reinforcing the European bloc’s preference for diplomacy over confrontation.
