Iran, European Powers to Resume Nuclear Deal Talks in Istanbul Amid U.S. Negotiations
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Iranian and European officials are set to meet in Istanbul on May 16 to revive discussions on the stalled 2015 nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed.
Iranian diplomats will meet with their British, French, and German counterparts—collectively known as the E3—to explore the terms of a potential new nuclear deal currently under negotiation between Tehran and Washington.
The announcement follows a delayed meeting initially scheduled for May 2. According to Turkey’s Anadolu news agency, which cited Iranian media sources, the upcoming Istanbul talks will be held “at the deputy foreign ministry level. ”
Britain, France, and Germany, all original signatories to the JCPOA along with Iran, the U.S., Russia, and China, are reportedly reassessing their approach amid ongoing backchannel talks between Tehran and Washington hosted by Oman.
During President Donald Trump’s first term, the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA and reinstated sweeping sanctions on Iran. However, since returning to office in January, Trump has pushed to renegotiate a new agreement to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
“We want Iran to be wealthy and … great, but they can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Trump told reporters on May 12. “I think they understand that I mean business, and I think they’re being very reasonable thus far.”
Trump’s tone hardened during his speech in Riyadh yesterday as the 60-day ultimatum to Iran draws to a close. Delivering a stark warning, he said, “If Iran’s leadership rejects this olive branch and continues to attack their neighbors, then we will have no choice but to inflict massive, maximum pressure… and take all action required to stop the regime from ever having a nuclear weapon. Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.”
Despite the warning, Trump emphasized his openness to reconciliation: “In fact, some of the closest friends of the United States of America are nations we fought wars against in generations past.”
Araqchi responded to the U.S. stance by urging Washington to adopt “more realistic positions.” Referring to the Oman talks focused on uranium enrichment, he said they had been “difficult.”
Tensions are also rising around the JCPOA’s “snapback mechanism”—a clause in the U.N. resolution ratifying the deal allowing E3 nations to reimpose U.N. sanctions before the resolution expires on October 18.
“Iran has made its position clear,” Araqchi wrote in Le Point magazine on May 12. “We have officially warned all JCPOA signatories that abuse of the snapback mechanism will lead to consequences—not only the end of Europe’s role in the agreement, but also an escalation of tensions that could become irreversible.”
Iran’s parallel efforts to engage with the E3 continue. Four diplomats told Reuters that Tehran has proposed meeting with the E3 in Rome this Friday if coordination with the U.S. progresses.
“It is important to remain on the same page with all parties to the 2015 deal. Therefore, meeting the E3 countries this week ahead of the next round of talks with Americans would be useful,” said an Iranian official familiar with the proposal.
Since Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal—calling it “one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into”—Iran has significantly accelerated its enrichment efforts. Intelligence agencies warn Tehran could produce a nuclear weapon within weeks if it so chooses.
As of March 2025, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported Iran had stockpiled over 100 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity, just below the 90% level required for weapons-grade material. A U.N. watchdog report from the same period warned that, if further enriched, Iran’s stockpile could produce up to six nuclear warheads.
IRAN’S NUCLEAR AMBITIONS CONNECTED TO PROPHECY?
While the West often views Iran’s nuclear program through a secular lens, the spiritual aspect, which plays a central role in driving Iran’s nuclear ambitions, should not be overlooked. Iran is the only country where Twelver Shi’ism is the state religion.
Twelver Shīʿism, the largest branch of Shīʿa Islam, makes up about 85% of Shīʿas. “Twelver” signifies belief in twelve divinely appointed leaders, the Twelve Imams, with the last, Imam al-Mahdi, expected to return as the Mahdi. Twelvers see the Imams as Muhammad’s spiritual and political successors, guiding with justice and interpreting the inner meanings of the Qur’an and Islamic law. They are viewed as infallible (Ismah) and divinely chosen (nass).
The Twelvers believe that the Mahdi is expected to appear in times of extreme chaos, returning alongside Jesus as a messiah to bring peace and establish Islam globally.
Twelver beliefs, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and threats toward Israel and the West have raised concerns. Critics suggest that Iran’s Supreme Leader might incite conflict to hasten the 12th Imam’s arrival. Former Iranian President Ahmadinejad has even called for the Imam’s return at the UN, asserting that the Islamic Revolution’s primary goal is to prepare for his reappearance.
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