Iran ready to engage in talks with Europeans based on mutual respect, common interests: Araghchi

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran is ready to engage in talks with European countries based on mutual respect and common interests.

In a phone call on Saturday, Araghchi and the Netherlands’ Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp discussed ways to promote mutual ties and the latest regional and international developments.

The top Iranian diplomat reiterated the country’s approach to pursue good diplomatic relations with countries.

Iran and Europe have been conducting on-again, off-again talks since 2021, three years after the United States illegally and unilaterally left a historic nuclear accord -- formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action -- between Iran and world powers, returning Washington’s unlawful sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

The European parties to the nuclear deal – Britain, France and Germany -- then failed to live up to their promise of bringing Washington back into the deal.

Reacting to the counter-party’s non-commitment to its obligations, Tehran initiated a set of retaliatory nuclear steps, including by activating more advanced centrifuges.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Tuesday said the talks have continued between Iran and European countries in recent months.

“We are holding negotiations with Europeans, China and Russia, as signatories to the JCPOA, and we will likely have an expert-level meeting with these countries in the near future,” Baghaei added.

Iran, European troika agree to pursue dialogue 'in near future': Senior diplomat

A senior Iranian diplomat says Tehran and the European troika agree to pursue dialogue in the near future.

During the phone call, the Dutch foreign minister pointed to deep-rooted relations between Amsterdam and Tehran and said Iran plays an important role in regional developments.

Veldkamp added that all diplomatic capacities should be used to promote understanding in international relations and to resolve disputes.

He noted that the issue of the three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf -- Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa – relates to Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

The Netherlands supports interaction between Iran and the UAE based on international regulations to settle any dispute in this regard, he said.

The three Persian Gulf islands have historically been part of Iran, proof of which can be found and corroborated by countless historical, legal, and geographical documents in Iran and other parts of the world. However, the United Arab Emirates has repeatedly laid claim to the islands.

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