INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The United States and the European trio of Britain, France and Germany have resumed discussions on how to engage with Iran over its nuclear
activity.The move marks a shift in Western thinking and underscores concerns about an escalating crisis, as Tehran has enriched uranium to
such levels that US officials have warned in recent months that it could produce sufficient material for a nuclear weapon in less than two
a Western diplomat, Financial Times reported.The West halted diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis in September due to the unrest in Iran
and claims that Tehran sold drones to Russia
But there has been contact with Iranian officials in recent months, including a meeting in Oslo in March between officials from the European
Supreme National Security Council before being posted to New York in September, diplomats and analysts say.Those talks are thought to be the
first direct contact between United States and Iranian officials since former United States president Donald Trump triggered the crisis in
2018 by quitting the nuclear accord Tehran signed with world powers, known by its acronym JCPOA.Trump imposed hundreds of sanctions on the
republic, while Iran responded by aggressively increasing its nuclear activity.The talks focused primarily on the possibility of a prisoner
exchange with Iran, a person close to the administration said
Tehran holds at least three US-Iranian nationals
Tehran last week agreed to a prisoner exchange with Belgium and separately released two Austrians held in Iran
A successful United States prisoner exchange could improve the environment for any nuclear talks.United States President Joe Biden pledged
to return to the JCPOA and ease sanctions if Tehran returned to compliance with the accord
Diplomats and analysts say potential options include some form of interim deal, or a de-escalatory move by both sides under which Iran
diplomat briefed on the talks
in January the International Atomic Energy Agency discovered particles enriched to about 84 percent, which is almost weapons grade, at the
Fordow plant.News agencies quoted leaked IAEA reports this week saying the UN watchdog no longer had questions on the particles found at
That could ease pressure on Iran ahead of an IAEA board of governors meeting next week.Sanam Vakil, an Iran expert at Chatham House, said:
be willing to negotiate a deal as the United States prepares for its next election cycle.Ali Vaez, an Iran expert at Crisis Group, said:
wants to put a lid on this until after the 2024 elections
