Having negotiated with Iran as a trio as far back as 2003 on the nuclear issue, the European countries consider their role essential to a solution In the 2015 deal, a key carrot for Iran was being able to trade with Europe
The Europeans have helped the United States pressure Iran in recent months, including, 1. at the UN atomic watchdog and with new sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missile programme 2. detention of foreign citizens and support for Russia in the war against Ukraine
During the US policy vacuum after Trump won the election but before he took office, the Europeans tried to take the initiative by holding exploratory talks with Iran that began in September and have continued The E3 said that was necessary because time was running out before the 2015 deal expires on October 18
They have tried to sound out whether new restrictions, albeit narrower than those agreed in 2015 could be negotiated before then Diplomats said that in those talks, Iranian officials have often quizzed their counterparts on the new US administration
an Iranian official said,
Quote
"Iran believes that talks with the E3 and other parties to the nuclear deal can help defuse tensions over its nuclear programme and can be complementary to talks with the US"
Additional reporting by Francois Murphy in Vienna, Matt Septalnick in Washington, Parisa Hafezi in Dubai, Elizabeth Piper in London and Alexander Ratz in Berlin; Editing by Cynthia Osterman
