here were few signs of progress after European foreign ministers met their Iranian counterpart on Friday in a bid to prevent conflict in the Middle East from escalating, although all signaled readiness to keep talking, despite major sticking points.
The foreign ministers of Germany, Britain, France, known as the E3, plus the EU, urged Iran to engage with the United States over its contentious nuclear program even as Tehran has repeatedly insisted it will not open discussions with the Trump administration until Israeli strikes on Iran end.
The talks aimed to test Tehran's willingness to negotiate a new nuclear deal despite there being no obvious prospect of Israel ceasing its attacks soon, diplomats said.
"The Iranian Foreign Minister has expressed his willingness to continue discussions on the nuclear programme and more broadly on all issues, and we expect Iran to commit to the discussion, including with the United States, to reach a negotiated settlement," said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran was ready to consider diplomacy once Israel had ceased its attacks and been held accountable for its actions.
"In this regard, I made it crystal clear that Iran's defense capabilities are not negotiable," he said following the talks lasting around three hours in Geneva.
No date for a follow-up meeting was announced despite Europeans underscoring the small window for diplomacy.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will decide within two weeks whether to join the Israeli strikes intended to smash Tehran's nuclear capacity.
European ministers spoke beforehand with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio who signaled Washington was open to direct talks even as it mulls the strikes, diplomatic sources said.
Washington did not confirm that, though broadcaster CNN quoted a U.S. official saying Trump supported diplomacy by allies that could bring Iran closer to a deal.
Britain's foreign minister David Lammy said the European countries were eager to continue talks with Iran.
"This is a perilous moment, and it is hugely important that we don't see regional escalation of this conflict," he said.
Two European diplomats said the E3 did not believe that Israel would accept a ceasefire in the near term and that it would be difficult for Iran and the U.S. to resume negotiations.
They said the idea was to begin a parallel negotiating track, initially without the U.S., on a new deal that would involve tougher inspections, and potentially on Iran's ballistic missile program, while allowing Tehran some notional enrichment capacity.
ENRICHMENT DIFFERENCES
The Trump administration is demanding Iran stop uranium enrichment altogether, whereas the E3 have in past talks left it some scope to enrich for civil ends in exchange for extremely strict international inspections.
On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron shifted closer to Trump's position, saying that any new deal with Tehran needed to go towards zero enrichment.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters Iran is ready to discuss limitations on its uranium enrichment but said the prospect of zero enrichment would undoubtedly be rejected.
In a speech at the United Nations in Geneva before the E3 meeting, Araqchi accused Israel of a "betrayal of diplomacy", while Israel's envoy in Geneva raised a "vehement objection" to the minister addressing the U.N.'s Human Rights Council.
Geneva was the scene of an initial accord between Iran and world powers to curb its nuclear programme in return for sanctions lifting in 2013 before a comprehensive deal in 2015.
Separate talks between Iran and the U.S. collapsed when Israel launched what it called Operation Rising Lion against Iran's nuclear facilities and ballistic capabilities on June 12.
France's Barrot spoke to Rubio on Thursday night, during which Rubio said Washington was ready for direct contact with the Iranians, a diplomatic source said.
The Europeans wanted to make clear to Iran that the U.S. is ready for direct talks, but that Iran must give a serious signal, two diplomats said, without defining what that could be.
© (Thomson Reuters 2025.
49 Comments
Tamarama
Think back to the pretext used by the US to invade and capture Saddam Hussein - that he had developed 'weapons of mass destruction' and was the biggest threat to peace in the Middle East. The US invaded Iraq, overthrew his regime, he was ultimately executed and it all urned out to be completely false. A complete US fabrication.
In this case, Israel has unilaterally attacked Iran though clearly with US support and blessing with the 'belief that Iran are attempting to develop nuclear weapons' - but there is little to no hard evidence of that. Donald Trump is rather unbelievably considering joining the fight - so they have gone from apparently negotiating with Iran a few weeks ago to suddenly flipping the switch on war.
At least in this case, Iran are talking to Europe about a solution, to which Trump has responded:
"Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe, Iran wants to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help on this one," he says.
In the Israel/US alliance you have a Genocidal Zionist Madman in Netanyahu pulling the strings in Israel, and the least competent and stable US President in history making key decisions in the Middle East. It's a worst case scenario for the region, and for Iran.
Europe needs to step up, needs to be bigger in this issue to curd the US/Israel lunacy.
GuruMick
The main destabilising actor in the ME is Israel and its right wing govt,
This collection of faux messianic zionist ahistorical wannabees feel only they have the right to imprison millions and engage in foreign nation attacks , now Iran,.
For a time, history has shown, you can impose your will through warfare, disregard negotiation, and seem like "top dog " in the area.
Doesnt last long when you start wars with ancient nation states with established Armed Forces and powerful allies .
Does anyone think the US public has the stomach for another ME war, this time, being bought on by its puppy dog, Israel
JJE
What a shocker of a photo.
JboneInTheZone
Why did the IAEA find that Iran had enriched uranium to 60% when the civilian use case only requires enrichment levels of 5%? What were they planning to do with that level of enriched uranium if not create a nuclear weapon?
GuruMick
Why did the Pres. own appointee say "Iran was not even close to having a bomb "?
Maybe the IAEA is wrong, or was bought out.
Both statements from opposing sides cannot be right.
And please, dont reference anything Mossad says.
WoodyLee
The tactic of negotiating while under fire was well established centuries ago. It works on if one side is weakened and about to surrender, Iran and Israel are not there yet!!
bass4funk
Whatever it is or the reason, Trump will have the ultimate decision. I can’t say anything because I wouldn’t know and none of us do, all anyone here is doing is just guessing.
JboneInTheZone
Trump said she was wrong:
“Trump says intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard is "wrong" about Iran's nuclear program”
“The White House this week said Iran has everything it needs to build a nuclear weapon and needs only the green light from Iran's supreme leader, with the ability to ready a nuclear weapon within weeks. Mr. Trump said Iran was "very close to having" a nuclear weapon.”
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/trump-tulsi-gabbard-wrong-iran-nuclear-program/
WoodyLee
This war will not end anytime soon, so many players are involved and many of them are not at the negotiating table. The E3 and the EU are all representing Israel's interests so this is a one sided negotiation and will only produce a one sided result which means NO AGRREMNT.
GuruMick
And...to end all doubt....Trump spoke of Irans great oil supplies about 6 times during a quick presser while waiting to board his aircraft.
Oil, OIl, Oil
Any other context this would be "conspiracy to steal "
funkymofo
Oh, trump says so- case closed then. lol
JboneInTheZone
Do you have a link?
lincolnman
MAGA voters getting what they voted for...."no new wars!"....
Uh....well....ummm....maybe that was a little exaggerated... More like just one more flat out lie...
And just like that all the former NEOCON haters here become NEOCONs themselves...
MAGA-world - all hypocritical flip-flopping, all the time...
JboneInTheZone
Im not a Trump supporter but GuruMick is appealing to the White House’s authority on the matter so that’s what I’m doing too
GuruMick
Jay...."Trump said she was wrong "
Isnt she part of the neo con oil stealing gang ? Apparently not....probably has a conscience too.
Please....real politics deserve a hearing on this forum
Its more US oil and resource theft and we can throw back to the times of the Shah when Britain was the beneficiary.
Stop stealing other nations resources....seems reasonable.
JboneInTheZone
Gabbard? No… she’s highly anti-interventionist and anti-war.
So the U.S. and Israel went into Iran, enriched uranium to 60% so that the IAEA could then find it and give justification to an attack? I don’t understand your conspiracy here. You’re completely sweeping under the rug the IAEA’s findings.
bass4funk
Yes
No, just a nuke strike. If you get in my face and I floor you with a punch, it’s not really a fight. You just got knocked out.
Different, they wanted regime change and engage in national building
None, straight as an arrow
Blacklabel
Looks like a pretty useless group of Europeans.
JboneInTheZone
You could have just said Europeans. “Pretty useless” is already backed into the word European
lincolnman
Another daily flip - yesterday you said you were FOR bombing Iran's nuclear sites...
Amazing - thinks a real war is just some WWE event...
They wanted, and still want, to bomb Iran - Just like YOU....
LMAO....
John-San
The racist occupiers have lost. The USA will come to their senses because those trillions of Arab states investments will not arrived if the USA don’t get out of the Middle East. This is the only option the USA have to slow down their decline. Go to war with Iran who will have China backing and material support will see the USA enter into another for ever war and drain their economy and making the USD very very weak and speed up their decline. Still either way will see millions of USA passport hosting Jews applying for unemployment funds sucking out more funds. The USA have place themselves in a bad position that they can overcome or go to war and be in a worst position which they might ever recover from. Do you think the average USA citizen is going to welcome the Jews without racial feelings when there is no Jobs for themselves. The counter offensive of Hamas on 07/10 will be a day forever celebrated for the Muslim polar world. Hoo Hah Hamas Hoo Hah Hezbollah Hoo hah Hosties and a huge Hooray for Iran.
Blacklabel
Is America “at war” with anyone right now?
didn’t think so.
Blacklabel
yeah it is interesting how they mock my country’s efforts.
while acting like their own country (that is doing absolutely nothing at all) to solve anything is actually relevant. lol
itsonlyrocknroll
Without an full US government representation, or any Israeli diplomatic political contribution, another EU extravagant, lunch/dinner, meeting, followed by coffee/mint, maybe a brainstorm of endless waffling gibberish.
Whilst Israel Iran edge closure to all-out war.
Never could Europe assemble a more hapless, politically irrelevant bunch. A farcical show of zero political influence.
In Washington mercifully President Trump statesmanship has stepped back from the middle eastern abyss.
Yet a huge US force will soon be fully primed capable to unleash a level of destructive military force with unthinkable outcomes.
I suspect that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump administration are close to agreeing on a joint plan of action. How destructive such a plan could be soon be prime time across global media outlets.
Latest from The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Update on Developments in Iran
https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/update-on-developments-in-iran
JboneInTheZone
The UAE and Saudi Arabia, 2 countries who highly dislike Iran, account for 69% of all middle eastern trade with the U.S. if anything they’d probably be happy about the U.S. getting involved with Iran lol
bass4funk
I said that all along, no flip.
I don’t think that, seen war up close, this is not what we are talking about.
None, just the nuke sites
funkymofo
‘You could have just said Europeans. “Pretty useless” is already backed into the word European’
Europe is not a country.
itsonlyrocknroll
Saudi Arabia follows the dominant Hanbali Sunni Islam.
No toleration of any public practice of other religions.
In private, I understand are allowed.
The Quran and Sunnah, so called traditions/practices of the Prophet Muhammad, serve as the country's constitution.
The conflict between Sunni and Shia Islam, lies in their views on the rightful successor to the Prophet Muhammad.
However, interpretations of Islamic law, rituals and practices is where extreme clashes occur.
An all-out middle east war, Iran Israel is not a scenario Saudi Arabia would celebrate.
JboneInTheZone
The conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia isn’t solely because of the Sunni / Shia divide. Iran heavily funds the Houthi’s who have been in conflict with Saudi Arabia since 2015 and have had a larger proxy conflict raging since 1979
Blacklabel
Obviously.
HopeSpringsEternal
Great talks taking place!
Nobody reasonable doubts growing threat of Iranian nuclear program, highly enriched uranium already in their hands etc. Plus, their military buildup, missile program etc. Totally incomparable to Hussain/Iraq/2003
It's a limited Iranian ask, give up the enrichment, civilian nuclear ok, no regime change, no occupation, etc.
NB
Iran keeps targeting the civilian population of Israel with its heavy ballistic missiles, which are based on North Korean knowhow. They also intend to throw nuclear bombs on Israel.
John-San
I give you this. What does Trump really want. Only half a term? Or a full term and a chance to place himself in position to hold on to power. Go to war will see him outer after the mid term. Not go to war, save the mid term and say in power and able to get back to his golfing LOL. I know Trump has no loyalty to the denigrating Zionist sect. It Him first and Him second them come the his USAmerican supporting base. This is what he be mouling over during the next 12 days and odds are he will put himself first.
GuruMick
Keep you eyes on the "treasure and looting " that follows any overthrow of a government in the ME.
The rest is just decorations.
The subject is oil.
The western world is controlled by a Trans National Capitalist Class, headed by Blackwater.
They need new options to "invest " their many trillions to keep a return coming in.
This is bigger than Israel and its "existential threats " and bigger than Iran with its "non existent nukes "
People, take you focus off the tree and see the entire forest.
itsonlyrocknroll
JboneInTheZone
I haven’t many Iranian acquaintances, the few I have had the pleasure to know, from time to time explained the Islamic faiths.
I sensed the conflicting religious barriers.
A all out war between Israel and Iran would have huge consequences for the global economies, all negative.
The pressure US government will put on the region geopolitical stability is going to be crucial.
Peter14
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/20/china/china-xi-putin-iran-analysis-intl-hnk?iid=cnn_buildContentRecirc_end_recirc
Part of the issue is linking talks on a deal with Iran on its civilian nuclear program with Israel's unwarranted attack bringing Israel and Iran into open conflict.
Stop the fighting so that talks can resume. No long and lasting deal will be made under duress. Iran like all nations with a long history stretching back thousands of years, is simply not going to surrender. There is no ground offensive to invade, this is pure terror tactics and Iran is able to retaliate with its long range missiles. Surrender is off the table.
Dialog has always been the answer and there was an agreement in place that dialog had achieved but it was abandoned by Trump. So in the end this can all be laid at Trumps feet. The US joining Israel in this unprovoked war will not solve it. It will do the opposite and drive Iran to develop nukes in the future.
Russia drove Finland and Sweden into NATO because he miscalculated. Trump still has time to avoid making his own similar error.
NB
The Iranian regime's nuclear project is aimed at one thing: Eliminating Israel using nuclear bombs.
elephant200
The cake on their dishes are small, probably nobody feel interested and leave after the lunch is over.
As usual : Iran cannot own nuclear weapons and Israel has the rights of self defence. And Gaza.....well whatever.
This is the European Union plus U.K. minus U.S. !
Chabbawanga
"We'll negotiate when you stop bombing us" seems like a reasonable proposal.
"Negotiate whilst be bomb you, or else we'll bomb you" doesnt feel quite right.
HopeSpringsEternal
US Israel, good cop bad cop approach bearing 'fruit', as Iran is definitely going down faster than a 'paper' tiger!
Iran has no leverage, no serious allies, as China and Russia's silence is deafening and even the Suni Arab States are strongly aligned with DJ Trump, as they want a nuclear free SAFE Prosperous Middle East etc.
Tamarama
Jbone
News flash, tiger. You can't make a nuclear weapon with 60% enrichment.
And whilst I admit that it is not a good look unless it truly is for scientific purposes as they claim, it does not warrant full scale war by Israel. Not by a long shot. Particularly given that Israel have 80-90 nuclear weapon that they themselves developed outside of the Nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
You can't make up that kind of hypocrisy, can you.
wallace
Israel will never give up its aging nuclear bombs the Middle East will never be nuke-free. It's most likely that Saudi Arabia has a nuclear bomb from Pakistan. Six Asian countries with nuclear bombs.
America is the only country to have used nuclear bombs.
okinawarides
In relevant Middle East news today scientists reported they have finally managed to translate an ancient Hebrew tablet. The ancient text translated revealed that " Iran will have a nuclear weapon in a couple of weeks.
JboneInTheZone
but you can make it with 90% enriched uranium and the process of going from 60% to 90% is very quick.
okinawarides
Didn't Iran also announce discovering the worlds second largest lithium deposits a year or two ago? No wonder it is now a danger to world peace and in need of " freedom ".
Nifty
Looks like they had a nice dinner ...always an important negotiating tool. As for what Trump will decide, we should remember that, other than the bunker busting bomb, which would make Israel's job easier, Israel is not interested iin anything but winning, and their medium bunker buster may be good enough. Israel is not going to go along with any surrender agreement, and Iran is not interested in surrender. So any blustering by Trump to put himself into a central position is nonsense. Trump is also not giving much thought to China, Russia, or other parties interested in Irani oil or money, and not interested in either US or Israeli involvement in the area. They may take unexpected action and give everyone more to deal with.
itsonlyrocknroll
President Trump must leverage his statesmanship, dig deep, and merge a solution that encompassed a Gaza truce, an Iranian non-proliferation treaty with the necessary expertise to assess compliance, also display the political will to demand Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu complies.
Such a task will take diplomatic political skills President Trump needs to prove his leadership.
itsonlyrocknroll
If President Trump, was to lay the foundations for a hostage release, a Gaza truce ceasefire, an Iranian non-proliferation treaty, all could will pave the way for Donald Trump’s third term,
Trump would never let the world forget it, for sure
Cognitive/age allowing.
Much to the utter horror of every living breathing liberal democrat
Tamarama
jbone
Yes, but they didn't enrich uranium to 90%, did they?