A critical deadline is rapidly approaching for a potential nuclear deal with Iran. According to sources, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and the UK have reportedly agreed during a telephonic conversation to set the end of August as the informal cutoff for reaching an agreement. Should no deal be finalized by then, the three European powers plan to trigger the “snapback” mechanism, which would automatically re-impose all UN Security Council sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
This development unfolds as U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that while Tehran is interested in discussions, he’s “in no rush to talk.” Speaking to reporters after his return to Washington, he stated, “They would like to talk. I’m in no rush to talk because we obliterated their sites,” referring to recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Trump’s remarks come against the backdrop of Tehran’s firm refusal to engage in nuclear talks if they are contingent on the country abandoning its uranium enrichment activities. Ali Velayati, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was quoted by IRNA as stating, “If the negotiations must be conditioned on stopping enrichment, such negotiations will not take place.”
Previously, the U.S. and Iran had engaged in several rounds of negotiations aimed at securing a deal on Iran’s nuclear program. However, these talks were derailed when Israel launched a wave of surprise strikes against its regional rival, leading to 12 days of conflict. Since the cessation of hostilities, both Iran and the United States have signaled a willingness to return to the negotiating table. Nevertheless, Iran maintains its right to the peaceful use of nuclear power.
Omani-mediated negotiations, which commenced in April and involved Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, failed to conclude a deal after five rounds of talks. These represented the highest-level contact between the two countries since Washington withdrew from a landmark nuclear agreement in 2018. The negotiations were halted when Israel initiated its surprise attack on Iranian nuclear and military facilities on June 13, with the U.S. subsequently joining its ally with limited strikes.
