France: US-Iran talks must be in line with European interests.
According to Reuters, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrow said that Paris, London, and Berlin are vigilantly following the nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran, claiming that these talks should be in Europe’s interests.
Barrow said on the eve of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg: “We will be vigilant, together with our British and German friends and partners, to ensure that any possible negotiations (between the US and Iran) are consistent with our security interests regarding Iran’s nuclear program.”
The first round of “indirect” talks between Washington and Tehran was held in Oman on Saturday with the participation of Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and his accompanying delegation. These indirect talks are the first to be held at the highest level between the two countries since Trump unilaterally and illegally withdrew from the JCPOA during his first term in office in 2018.
The Times of Israel quoted Witkoff as saying that he had briefed Ron Dermer, the Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs, on the Oman talks. CNN reported yesterday, citing a source, that the US-Iran talks are set to continue next week, likely in a European country.
The Axios news website also cited sources as saying that the next round of indirect talks between Iran and the US will likely be held in the Italian capital next Saturday.