Context:

European diplomats from Britain, France, and Germany are meeting with Iranian representatives in Istanbul to restart negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, which had been halted after a conflict with Israel damaged Iran's facilities. The European powers are attempting to persuade Iran to limit its nuclear enrichment, as its current stockpile is sufficient to create nuclear weapons, despite Iran's claims of peaceful intentions. If Iran does not engage seriously in negotiations, the Europeans may reinstate sanctions lifted under the 2015 agreement, which is set to expire soon. Iran has threatened to leave the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and cease cooperation with the U.N. if sanctions are restored, while the U.S. and Israel have indicated they may resort to military action to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The involvement of Russia and China, who remain part of the 2015 deal, complicates the situation, as they hold veto power in the U.N. Security Council, making it difficult to maintain or restore sanctions without consensus.

Dive Deeper:

• Diplomats from Britain, France, and Germany are meeting with Iran in Istanbul to resume negotiations on limiting Iran's nuclear activities following a pause caused by recent Israeli military actions that damaged Iranian infrastructure.

• The European powers are urging Iran to engage in talks with the United States and demonstrate that its nuclear program is civilian by nature, as Iran has enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels capable of producing ten nuclear weapons.

• The 2015 nuclear deal, which offered Iran sanctions relief in exchange for limiting its nuclear program, is nearing expiration, and the Europeans are considering reinstating sanctions if Iran does not make efforts to negotiate a new agreement.

• Iran has warned that it will exit the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and halt cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog if sanctions are reinstated, while the U.S. and Israel have expressed willingness to conduct military strikes to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

• Russia and China, still parties to the 2015 agreement, complicate the reinstatement of sanctions due to their veto power in the U.N. Security Council, making unanimous agreement for sanctions difficult without their support.

• Iranian officials have indicated a willingness to negotiate under certain conditions, such as assurances against further attacks, while the U.S. under President Trump and Israel demand Iran cease all nuclear enrichment activities.

• Ellie Geranmayeh of the European Council on Foreign Relations suggests a one-year extension of the sanctions deadline to allow time for diplomatic talks and evaluation of Iran's nuclear capabilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency.