Iran sanctions 'on table'

IRANIAN and European diplomats met yesterday in Istanbul in the latest drive to unpick the deadlock over Tehran's nuclear programme.

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Representatives from the UK, France and Germany, known as the E3 nations, gathered at the Iranian consulate for the first talks since Iran’s 12-day war with Israel in June, which involved US bombers striking nuclear-related facilities.

The talks, which ended after four hours, centred on the possibility of reimposing sanctions on Iran, that were lifted in 2015 in exchange for Iran accepting restrictions and monitoring of its nuclear programme.

The return of sanctions, known as a “snapback” mechanism, “remains on the table”, according to a European diplomat.