Europe Scrambles to Avert Iran Nuclear Crisis as Sanctions Deadline Looms

European powers—Britain, France, and Germany—are holding urgent talks with Iran in Istanbul to try to revive stalled negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.

The talks come as the threat of reimposing UN sanctions on Iran grows, with a key deadline approaching and little progress made since the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran is warning it may withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and reduce regional security cooperation if sanctions are reinstated. Meanwhile, Iran is seeking support from Russia and China to counter Western pressure.

Expectations for a breakthrough are low, but both sides are hoping to avoid escalating the standoff further.