Vienna – Amid growing tensions between Israel and Iran, Europe is opting for de-escalation. As confirmed on Thursday, the foreign ministers of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom plan to meet directly with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on Friday. The meeting, set to take place behind closed doors, would mark the first in-person encounter between Western government officials and Tehran since the current escalation began a week ago. While Europe insists the dialogue must not break down, President Donald Trump is striking a very different tone in Washington – openly considering airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities and calling for the "unconditional surrender" of Iran’s leadership.
The initiative of the so-called E3 – Germany, France, and the United Kingdom – comes as part of a race against time. The immediate cause of the crisis was a series of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites and military positions, to which Tehran responded with rocket fire. Europe is urging restraint and a return to diplomacy. "All sides must avoid actions that lead to further escalation," read a joint statement. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that Europe is ready to resume negotiations – on the condition that Iran takes verifiable steps to limit its nuclear and missile programs and reduce its destabilizing activities in the region. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who is set to attend the Geneva talks on Friday, met earlier with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington – the U.S. is reportedly considering the use of the U.K.-controlled Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean.
The United States itself will not initially participate in the Geneva meeting. A U.S. government official stressed that there are currently no plans for involvement, though this position could quickly change given the escalating situation. Meanwhile, Iran’s supreme leader is warning strongly against U.S. military involvement – claiming it would cause "irreparable damage." Tehran continues to assert that its nuclear program is peaceful, even as uranium enrichment has reached 60% – a technical step away from weapons-grade material. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and U.S. intelligence services have so far found no evidence that Iran is actively pursuing a nuclear weapon. Still, concerns are mounting that the window for a diplomatic solution is rapidly closing.
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