In Geneva, beneath bright lights and high stakes, France, Britain and Germany—known as the E3—sat down with Iran on Tuesday to push for a last-minute revival of UN nuclear deal inspections. With an October 18 deadline looming, the trio is weighing whether to snap back UN sanctions or give diplomacy a final chance.
The E3, armed with data suggesting Iran’s nuclear advances, is ready to trigger a so-called 'snapback' of sanctions imposed under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. But they’re also open to a short delay if Tehran readmits International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors and commits to broader talks, possibly including the United States.
Behind the scenes, Western officials voice skepticism. An anonymous E3 diplomat told us, 'We want to see if Iran is serious about the conditions we set—resuming inspections and halting enrichment leaps—or just buying time.' Tehran, for its part, has vowed a 'harsh response' if sanctions return.
Since June, Iran’s uranium enrichment sites have suffered severe damage—Tehran blames covert strikes by the United States and Israel. The IAEA reports that no inspectors have been inside these facilities since then, citing safety concerns. While the agency’s chief, Rafael Grossi, confirmed that the first team of inspectors is back in the country, practical details remain unsettled.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi urged patience in a social media post: 'It is time for the E3 and the UN Security Council to make the right choice and give diplomacy the time and space it needs.' Yet, with the UN resolution expiring on October 18, the E3’s window to push for sanctions relief—or enforcement—is narrowing fast.
For young global citizens, entrepreneurs and policy influencers, Geneva’s high-stakes negotiations offer a real-time case study in crisis diplomacy. Beyond the headlines, these talks could reshape energy markets, affect global commodity prices and set precedents for how emerging powers engage with international norms.
Whether the E3 and Iran find common ground or head toward the harsh snapback of UN sanctions, Geneva is the proving ground for a new era of high-stakes diplomacy. And as the clock ticks down, the world watches to see if diplomacy can defuse another nuclear flashpoint.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
