NEW YORK — Last-ditch talks between Europeans and Iranians on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly failed to deliver a breakthrough days before a deadline to avert imposing sanctions on Iran.
The foreign ministers of France, the United Kingdom and Germany, as well as the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas met Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday to discuss ongoing concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.
London, Paris and Berlin had declared on Aug. 28 that Iran wasn’t complying with the terms of its 2015 nuclear deal, opening up a 30-day window for the country to adjust its course.
“The chances of reaching a diplomatic solution before the sanctions go into effect are slim,” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told reporters on Tuesday. “Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon.”
But there was no sign of a compromise after the talks, according to a French diplomat.
“Iran has not fulfilled the conditions but the talks will continue to explore all possibilities until the end,” said the French official, who, like others quoted here, was granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive issue.
The same diplomat said the ball was now “in Iran’s court” ahead of a Saturday deadline when “snapback” sanctions will be imposed on the country.
According the German foreign ministry, the Europeans urged Iran to “take practical steps within the next days, if not hours” to address concerns about its nuclear program.
The U.K., France and Germany, known as the E3, had felt compelled to start the clock ticking due to a sunset clause that would have seen the snapback process expire.
However, Iran said on Sept. 19 it would suspend cooperation with the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog, citing the E3’s actions as its justification.
Iran previously claimed to have reached a deal to allow inspectors back in, following its earlier decision to suspend cooperation after a surprise attack from Israel and the subsequent bombing of nuclear sites by the U.S. in June.
The U.N. sanctions that were in place before the 2015 deal include a conventional arms embargo, restrictions on ballistic missile development, asset freezes, travel bans and a ban on the production of nuclear-related technology.
According to a European diplomat, Iran may still be able to avert sanctions beyond the Saturday deadline if it agrees to a range of conditions set by the Europeans.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday he would meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian the following day to discuss Iran’s nuclear program.
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