Geneva,( The COW News Digital )– The foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany held a significant three-hour meeting with their Iranian counterpart in Geneva on Thursday, where they agreed to continue diplomatic negotiations. The high-level talks came amid mounting international concerns over the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel and the broader geopolitical instability in the Middle East.
According to Reuters, following the meeting, European foreign ministers issued brief statements but did not provide details on whether any concrete progress was made during the discussions. While the talks did not result in a breakthrough, the commitment to continue dialogue was seen as a positive step towards finding a diplomatic solution.
France Calls for Open Dialogue with All Parties
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot expressed hope that Iran would engage in open discussions not just with Europe, but with all relevant parties, including the United States, in order to find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis. Barrot stressed the importance of diplomacy in resolving the war-like situation and suggested that a multilateral approach was essential for de-escalation.
“Only through sustained and open dialogue, including with the United States, can we hope to reach a diplomatic solution to the current tensions,” Barrot said.
Germany’s Foreign Minister, Jovan Waddifull, emphasized that any resolution to the conflict must involve the United States. He pointed out that the U.S. had a central role in influencing the negotiations, particularly in light of the ongoing crisis between Israel and Iran.
“Without the involvement of the United States, any resolution to this conflict is unlikely to succeed,” Waddifull remarked. He added that Germany and the other European powers would continue to urge both Iran and the U.S. to engage in direct talks.
Similarly, British Foreign Minister David Lamy supported the German position, underscoring the necessity of U.S. participation in any potential peace process. Lamy stated that the UK remained committed to facilitating diplomatic efforts but stressed that Iran must maintain an open channel of communication with the U.S. to achieve lasting peace.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, echoed the sentiment of his European counterparts, affirming that Iran was willing to keep the dialogue going, particularly on issues related to its nuclear program. The Iranian foreign minister also emphasized the need for ongoing discussions to resolve tensions in the region and to address other critical issues, including Iran’s regional policies.
“We are committed to continuing talks on our nuclear program and other key matters. We seek a peaceful solution, but it requires cooperation from all sides,” Araghchi said.
The European ministers expressed a unified stance that discussions with Iran would continue in the coming days. They also agreed that U.S. involvement was essential in bringing about a comprehensive solution. The diplomats plan to reconvene soon to further discuss the path forward, with hopes that all parties involved can find common ground to avoid further conflict in the Middle East.
The diplomatic engagement in Geneva marks a critical moment in the international community’s efforts to prevent the escalation of hostilities and ensure regional stability. Despite the ongoing tension, the continuation of dialogue between key global players offers a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution.
