Tehran announces talks on Friday with France, Germany and the United Kingdom

These three countries submitted a text which condemns Iran's supposed lack of cooperation on this issue.

Iran announced on Sunday November 24 that it would hold discussions on its nuclear program with France, Germany and the United Kingdom in the coming days. Paris, Berlin and London, associated with Washington, are at the origin of a text critical of Tehran's nuclear program presented during a meeting in Vienna at the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The text was approved Thursday by 19 of the 35 member states of the IAEA Board of Governors, provoking the ire of Iran. The Islamic Republic announced in retaliation the commissioning of “new advanced centrifuges” for its nuclear program. The spokesperson for Iranian diplomacy, Esmaïl Baghaï, specified that the meeting would be held on Friday, without however specifying the location.

Tehran defends the right to nuclear power for civilian purposes, particularly for energy, but denies wanting to acquire an atomic bomb, which Western countries suspect.

The United Kingdom confirmed on Sunday that these talks would take place. “We remain committed to taking all diplomatic measures to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, including retaliatory measures if necessary”said the British Foreign Office.

In addition to this issue, Iran will discuss the regional and international situation with the three European powers, “including the questions of Palestine and Lebanon”said Esmaïl Baghaï in a press release. Iran is a strong supporter of Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, two Islamist movements at war against Israel, Tehran's sworn enemy since the advent of the Islamic Republic in 1979.