Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are set to hold talks with Iran in Istanbul, following their warning of reimposing sanctions if Iran does not progress on its nuclear activities. This initiative aims to revive nuclear discussions between the U.S. and Iran, which were interrupted after Israel and the U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear sites. The European nations previously participated in negotiating the JCPOA in 2015, but since the U.S. withdrawal in 2018, their influence has diminished. However, they retain leverage through the potential to reinstate sanctions.
"There has been great concern in Europe about how to get back to something that looks more like nuclear diplomacy with Iran and less direct kinetic conflict," says Ian Lesser.
"When it comes to the nuclear file right now, the European role is much, much less because the U.S. is essentially doing this on its own," says Trita Parsi.
"It's not coordinating with the Europeans and the Europeans don't have much leverage," Parsi states regarding the current state of negotiations.
"The area where the Europeans do have leverage is the ability to reinstate sanctions," says Trita Parsi on their potential influence.
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