Iran and Europe Negotiations Ahead of Trump's Return; Tehran: Europe is Not Influential

Ahead of negotiations between Iran and three European countries, the Iranian Foreign Minister expressed skepticism about the outcome of these talks, and the Deputy Foreign Minister for International Affairs stated that Europe is no longer an 'influential player.' At the same time, Reuters reported that these negotiations are focused on 'mutual concerns' before Donald Trump's return to the White House. The meeting of Majid Takht-Ravanchi, the political deputy of the Foreign Ministry and Iran's chief negotiator, with representatives from Britain, Germany, and France is set to take place today, Friday, December 9, in Geneva. IRNA, the official news agency of the Islamic Republic of Iran, also reported that the sessions on Friday in Geneva are 'taking place away from the eyes of journalists' and that the time and location of the meetings have not been announced so that the parties can 'discuss and exchange views in an atmosphere free from media hype.' Meanwhile, IRNA wrote that the European Union and the Troika have embarked on a project of 'security consensus against Iran with the orchestration of Israel' and have intensified sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran. In its analysis on Friday, IRNA identified the return of the 'snapback mechanism' as an issue that is 'gradually becoming a challenge' in Iran's relations with Europe. Reuters also reported, citing diplomats, that the Geneva negotiations will primarily be a session to propose various ideas focusing on 'bilateral concerns regarding how Trump will handle the Iranian nuclear issue.' Various reports have previously indicated the continuation of the 'maximum pressure' policy against Iran under Trump's new administration, while also suggesting the possibility of negotiations with Tehran. The U.S. has stated that it will not participate in the negotiations between Iran and the three European countries. According to three Iranian officials cited by Reuters, Tehran's main goal is to find ways to ensure 'the lifting of sanctions' and 'to exit the nuclear deadlock,' and efforts will be made in the Geneva meeting 'to find common ground.' One of the three Iranian officials told Reuters that in the Geneva negotiations, 'if we make progress, Washington can join in the next stage.' This report comes as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi expressed skepticism about the outcome of the Geneva talks just a day earlier. According to The Guardian, Araqchi said on Thursday in the Portuguese capital: 'After these negotiations, we will see if there is a way out of the current situation, but I am not optimistic about this meeting because I am not sure we are talking to the right party [on this issue].' He also threatened that if the snapback mechanism is activated, the Islamic Republic's nuclear doctrine may change. According to Reuters, both sides in Iran and Europe have stated that the nuclear issue is only one aspect of the Geneva negotiations, and other topics such as Tehran's military relations with Russia and regional tensions will also be discussed. Meanwhile, on Thursday evening, a European Union official announced that he had a candid dialogue with two Iranian officials in Geneva. Enrique Mora, Deputy for Foreign Policy of the European Union, stated that in his meeting with Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Kazem Gharibabadi, he had a 'frank exchange' and discussed with them 'Iran's military support for Russia, which must stop.' The European Union has repeatedly condemned Iran's support for Russia in the war against Ukraine and has imposed sanctions against Tehran several times for transferring missiles, drones, and other weapons to Moscow. Iran denies these allegations. According to Enrique Mora, the three topics of nuclear issues, regional tensions, and human rights were other subjects that he discussed with Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Kazem Gharibabadi. He emphasized that the nuclear issue 'needs a diplomatic solution' without detailing his negotiations. Kazem Gharibabadi also wrote on X about this meeting that they had a 'frank discussion on a range of topics and also the outlook for nuclear negotiations and lifting sanctions in light of new developments.' He added that Mora was told that the European Union must stop its self-centered and irresponsible behavior regarding the issues and challenges of this continent and international matters. Europe should not project its own problems and mistakes, including in relation to the Ukraine conflict, by involving others. Gharibabadi added that 'Europe has distanced itself from being an influential player in the Iranian nuclear issue for a long time due to its lack of a sense of responsibility and necessary self-confidence. Europe needs self-recovery.' However, he did not explain why the Islamic Republic is negotiating with important countries in Europe before the start of Trump's administration if Europe is 'not an influential player.' On the other hand, just a day before the Iran and three European countries negotiations, Reuters reported that Tehran officially informed the International Atomic Energy Agency of its decision to install more centrifuges in Fordow and Natanz. The Agency, in a confidential report to its members, which Reuters claims to have seen a copy of, stated that Tehran informed its decision on December 2, one day before the adoption of a censure resolution against Iran, and then in another letter on December 6. The Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency condemned the expansion of Iran's nuclear activities on December 1 and issued a resolution calling for Iran's immediate cooperation with the agency and requested the agency's director-general to prepare a 'comprehensive report' on Iran. The Islamic Republic of Iran, in its first reaction to the issuance of this censure resolution, announced that it would activate advanced centrifuges. The recent resolution was the second resolution of the Board of Governors against Iran in the last six months.