The foreign ministers of the United States, France, Britain and Germany issued a joint statement saying that Iran's intention to restrict the activities of nuclear inspectors was "dangerous".
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken // Photo: AFP
The foreign ministers of the United States, Britain, Germany and France held a digital meeting tonight (Thursday) in which they dealt with the Iranian threat. The ministers stated that Tehran's decision to restrict the access of International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors is "dangerous in nature".
Ministers issued a call for Iran to consider the consequences of such a grave action, especially at this time of renewed diplomatic opportunity.
Britain, France, Germany and the United States have also expressed their common concerns about Iran's recent actions to produce up to 20% enriched uranium and uranium metal.
"This activity has no credible civilian justification. Uranium metal production is a key step in the development of nuclear weapons."
However, in a joint statement issued after the hearing, the four countries issued a joint statement stating that the United States is ready to open negotiations with Iran, on the process of the two countries returning to the original nuclear agreement.
According to the State Department statement, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stressed that "if Iran returns to strictly meeting its obligations under the JCPOA, the United States will act accordingly and that it is prepared to hold talks with Iran towards that."
The foreign ministers of the four countries promise that Iran will never be able to develop nuclear weapons.
"The Nuclear Treaty (JCPOA) has been a major achievement in multilateral diplomacy. European countries welcome the United States' intention to return to a diplomatic approach with Iran as well as the resumption of secure dialogue between them and the United States," the statement said.
Ministers have confirmed that there is a significant interest in coordinating the moves with China and Russia, while recognizing the role of the European Union.
According to the statement, the common goal of the two countries is to return Iran to full compliance with its obligations under the nuclear agreement.
Ministers called on Iran not to take further steps to improve the nuclear deal.
Back to political coordination
The very meeting between the foreign ministers of these countries is a great innovation, after four years in which the Trump administration acted independently and without coordination with Europe regarding Iran.
In addition, this is the first time the US Secretary of State has said his country is ready for talks with Iran, on the process of the two countries returning to the original nuclear deal, after Trump resigned in 2018.
In addition, as expected, the United States is planning new negotiations with Iran on improving the nuclear deal, following a return to the original agreement, if and when that happens. Now European countries are actually joining the trajectory outlined by the Americans.
This route includes, negotiations on a return to the original nuclear agreement. After this happens, if and when, further negotiations will open on strengthening the original nuclear agreement and extending its expiration date.
These negotiations, European countries also agree tonight, will include a commitment to Iran's international aggression and to the spread of terrorism on its part.