France called on Iran today, Friday, to show its readiness to resume nuclear talks through actions rather than words. A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry stated, according to Reuters: "Tehran must demonstrate through actions its readiness to resume talks in Vienna with world powers concerning its nuclear program." An European diplomat confirmed earlier today that the Iranian delegation is currently not prepared to return to the negotiating table. Additionally, during a press briefing, as reported by Al Arabiya's correspondent in Brussels, it was noted that Tehran is not ready at this time to resume discussions in the Austrian capital. It was added that prolonged European-Iranian discussions will take place at the end of this month (October) regarding the nuclear file.
This French stance comes after Tehran repeatedly expressed its intention in recent weeks to resume talks aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear agreement, under which its nuclear program was restricted in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions, "soon," but without specifying a known date. Meanwhile, the U.S. administration has hinted at unspecified alternatives should diplomacy fail to restart dialogue. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, along with U.S. envoy Robert Malley, confirmed that Washington is considering backup plans if talks do not resume soon. It is worth noting that the Western countries still involved in the 2015 agreement between Tehran and major powers (France, Britain, Russia, China, and Germany), from which the U.S. withdrew three years ago, have consistently urged a return to negotiations in the Austrian capital over the past two months, after talks paused last June following six rounds that did not yield consensus on all outstanding issues.
