Ball still in Iran's court,' European powers say after nuclear issues call

"Germany says the ball is still in Iran's court after the French, British and German foreign ministers held talks by phone with their Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, regarding Tehran's nuclear programme. Wednesday's phone call came after the European powers last month triggered a 30-day deadline for snapback sanctions to come into force in the absence of a negotiated deal on the Iranian nuclear programme."

"A German Federal Foreign Office spokesman told the AFP news agency on Wednesday that the offer from the so-called E3 powers to discuss a temporary extension of the snapback if Iran fulfils certain conditions remains on the table but added: At this point, the steps taken by Iran have not been sufficient. Before the call, Tehran called for a positive approach and goodwill from the E3."

"The E3 has been warning Tehran for weeks that United Nations sanctions could be reimposed by October when a 2015 nuclear agreement between Tehran and major powers expires. A spokesman for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned that renewing the sanctions would have consequences. The E3 has accused Tehran of violating provisions of the 2015 nuclear pact, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)."

French, British and German foreign ministers held a phone call with Iranian deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi about Tehran's nuclear programme. The E3 triggered a 30-day deadline last month for snapback sanctions to be reimposed if no negotiated deal is reached. Germany said an offer to discuss a temporary extension of the snapback remains available if Iran fulfils certain conditions, but assessed Iran's steps as insufficient. Tehran requested a positive approach and goodwill from the E3. The E3 warned UN sanctions could be reimposed by October when the 2015 JCPOA expires, and Iran warned that renewed sanctions would have consequences. The call also included EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and followed an IAEA agreement to resume cooperation, including site inspections.

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