The UN Security Council discusses a resolution on sanctions against Iran on the 19th (local time). Reuters Yonhap News.

Iran will hold foreign ministerial-level talks with the European three (E3) countries, including the UK, France, and Germany, in New York, where the UN General Assembly is being held this week, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency of Iran on the 22nd (local time).

According to sources, Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to meet with the E3 foreign ministers and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, as early as today or around the 23rd.

Although the official did not disclose specific details, Iran's response to the E3's push to restore UN sanctions against Iran is expected to be a major agenda item.

In relation to this, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, also announced that a meeting between Iran and the parties concerned was scheduled in New York on the same day, AFP reported.

Regarding the conflict surrounding Iran's nuclear program, Grossi stated, "We are clearly at a very difficult crossroads," adding, "The important thing is that communication continues." He added that further meetings may follow during the week.

The E3, signatories to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), initiated the 'snapback' procedure, which means automatic restoration of sanctions, on the 28th of last month, citing Iran's significant non-compliance with the agreement.

Unless a resolution is adopted to continue suspending sanctions related to its nuclear program by the 27th of this month, which is 30 days after the UN Security Council (UNSC) received the notification, the sanctions will be restored in principle.

The possibility of sanctions against Iran being restored has significantly increased as a resolution to maintain the suspension of sanctions against Iran was rejected by the Security Council on the 19th.

In response, Iran announced on the 20th that it would suspend cooperation with the IAEA. Iran argues that the E3's attempt to restore sanctions is unfounded and unfair, as the United States unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018.

Yonhap News