Diplomatic representatives from Britain, France, Germany, and the European Union convened with Iran’s foreign minister on Friday, urging the nation to persist in diplomatic engagements with the U.S. This meeting occurred a week after stalled nuclear discussions escalated into confrontations between Iran and Israel.

“We are eager to continue ongoing deliberations and negotiations with Iran, and we implore Iran to proceed with its talks with the United States,” stated British Foreign Secretary David Lammy. He added, “Our position was unequivocal: Iran must not possess a nuclear weapon.”

The gathering, held in Geneva, Switzerland, marked the initial in-person meeting with an Iranian official since the critical events of the prior weekend.

“The positive outcome today is that we depart with the understanding that the Iranian side is fundamentally prepared to resume discussions on all significant matters,” remarked German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. He indicated that both parties had engaged in “highly serious talks.”

The session with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi extended for over three hours.

“Military actions can impede Iran’s nuclear program but can by no means eliminate it,” stated French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. “We are keenly aware — having witnessed what transpired in Afghanistan, in Iraq, in Libya — how deceptive and perilous it is to seek to enforce regime change externally.”

In a joint declaration, France, the U.K., Germany, and the E.U. communicated their “grave concerns” to Araghchi “regarding the increasing tensions in the Middle East and reaffirmed their steadfast dedication to security,” further stating that “all parties should abstain from taking measures that lead to further escalation in the region, and promptly seek a negotiated resolution to ensure that Iran never acquires or possesses a nuclear weapon.”

Early last Friday, Israel launched airstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites after nuclear discussions appeared to reach an impasse, prompting Iran to retaliate. The two nations continue to exchange strikes.

The Prime Minister subsequently declared that the strikes were essential to “diminish the Iranian menace to Israel’s very existence.”

This meeting also takes place less than a month following a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency, which warned that the country is rapidly augmenting its reserves of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels.

On Friday, the European diplomatic representatives “reaffirmed their persistent worries regarding Iran’s expansion of its nuclear program, which lacks any plausible civilian application and contravenes nearly all stipulations of the JCPoA.”

They further noted that they “explored pathways toward a diplomatic resolution for Iran’s nuclear initiative, concurrently underscoring the pressing nature of the situation. They conveyed their readiness to persist in deliberating all inquiries pertaining to Iran’s nuclear program and wider concerns,” calling upon Iran to collaborate with the IAEA.

Earlier in the week, it was stated that a U.S. strike on Iran might be considered.

“Yes, I might do it. I might not. I mean, no one is aware of my intentions. I can assure you that Iran is facing considerable difficulties, and they wish to negotiate,” Trump informed journalists on Wednesday, concerning the prospect of the U.S. striking Iran amidst its continued exchange of deadly attacks with Israel. “And I asked, why did you not negotiate with me before all this devastation and loss of life? Why did you not proceed? I posed to people, why did you not negotiate with me two weeks prior? You could have fared well. You would have maintained a nation. It is profoundly distressing to witness this.”

On Friday, Trump conveyed to reporters that the U.S. is “prepared and capable” of engaging in dialogue with Iran, further asserting that Iran has no desire to converse with Europe. “They wish to communicate with us. Europe will be of no assistance,” he remarked.

He additionally stated that although he opposed the 2003 war in Iraq due to his skepticism regarding the presence of weapons of mass destruction, he is convinced Iran is constructing a nuclear weapon. He contended that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is “incorrect” in her assertion that insufficient evidence exists to reach such a conclusion.

“The volume of material they have already collected is substantial,” he declared. “And I believe that within a few weeks, or certainly within a few months, they will be capable of possessing a nuclear weapon. We cannot allow that to occur.”

On Friday, diplomats from the U.K., France, Germany, and the E.U. also affirmed their “endorsement for continued discussions” with Iran and “applauded current U.S. endeavors to pursue a negotiated resolution. They communicated their readiness to reconvene in the future.”

‘ Emma Colton and