Europe Pressures Iran With Sanctions Threat as Nuclear Talks Resume

European powers—France, Germany, and the UK—are set to hold urgent nuclear talks with Iran in Istanbul, marking the first direct negotiations since recent US and Israeli strikes.

The talks come as Europe threatens to reimpose UN sanctions ('snapback') on Iran if it fails to curb its nuclear activities or return to compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran, meanwhile, is seeking support from Russia and China to counter Western pressure and has warned it may withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if sanctions are reinstated. Expectations for a breakthrough are low, with both sides focused on avoiding escalation rather than resolving the deadlock.

The looming August deadline for a deal raises the stakes, as failure could trigger a new wave of global sanctions and further destabilize the region.