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US-Iran nuclear talks set for revive, negotiators to meet in Istanbul on Friday

Iran has agreed to resume nuclear talks with European powers in Istanbul this Friday, the first since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iranian nuclear sites a month ago, sharply escalating tensions in the region. read more A missile in front of a poster of the Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a military exhibition in Tehran, Iran. Representsational image: Hasan Sarbakhshian/AP Iran has said it will hold new talks with European powers in Istanbul on Friday, according to state media. This will mark the first round of dialogue since the United States and its ally Israel targeted Iranian nuclear sites a month ago. Iranian officials are expected to meet with representatives from Britain, France, and Germany — collectively known as the E3 — after the trio warned that sanctions could be reinstated if Tehran does not return to the negotiating table over its nuclear programme. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Western nations and Israel have repeatedly accused Iran of attempting to develop nuclear weapons — a charge Tehran has consistently denied. 'In response to the request of European countries, Iran has agreed to hold a new round of talks,' said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghai, as quoted by state television on Monday. More from World 'Uranium enrichment one of our red lines': Iran rules out conditional nuclear talks with US He emphasised that the talks would focus on Iran's nuclear programme. AFP reported that a German diplomatic source said on Sunday that the E3 nations — Germany, France, and the UK — remain in contact with Tehran, stressing that 'Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.' The source added that the three countries are working closely within the E3 framework to secure a lasting and verifiable diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear ambitions. Iran and the United States had engaged in multiple rounds of nuclear negotiations through Omani mediation before Israel launched its 12-day military offensive against Iran. However, the talks collapsed after US President Donald Trump joined Israel in launching strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, effectively derailing the diplomatic process. Tensions between Israel and Iran have sharply escalated in recent weeks, with both sides engaging in direct military strikes and bombing each other's territory. Subsequently, the United States intensified its involvement by deploying B-2 bombers and bunker-busting munitions, targeting Iranian nuclear sites.