UPDATE - France, UK, Germany, EU warn Iran over nuclear program, consider reimposing sanctions

UPDATES WITH STATEMENTS FROM GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL/BERLIN (AA) - Foreign ministers from France, the UK, Germany, and the EU said on Friday that they held a joint call with their Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, to express concerns over Tehran's nuclear activities and warned that sanctions could be reimposed soon.

French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the discussion included UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

“We just made an important call to our Iranian counterpart regarding the nuclear program and the sanctions against Iran, which we are preparing to reimpose,” Barrot wrote on the US social media company X.

“Time is running out. A new meeting will take place next week on this subject.”

German Foreign Minister Wadephul urged Iran to participate seriously in diplomatic talks, warning that the country could face further sanctions if it fails to do so.

“We remain committed to diplomacy, but time is very short, and Iran needs to engage substantively in order to avoid the activation of snapback,” he said, referring to the mechanism that would restore UN sanctions against Iran. ”We have been clear that we will not let the snapback of sanctions expire unless there is a verifiable and durable deal,” he added.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed the importance of the upcoming talks and warned that they are prepared to trigger the snapback mechanism if Iran fails to take the necessary steps.

“Europe is committed to a diplomatic solution to the nuclear issue. With the deadline for the snapback mechanism fast approaching, Iran’s readiness to engage with the US is crucial. Iran must also fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency,” she said.