"Iran offers nuclear monitoring in return for sanctions relief, says foreign minister"

Iran is prepared to reach a durable agreement involving stringent oversight and restrictions on its uranium enrichment activities in exchange for sanctions relief, according to its foreign minister, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi.

However, in an article for CuriosityNews, he calls on European nations to reconsider their stance and halt plans to reinstate a broad set of UN sanctions later this month.

“If this brief chance to alter course is ignored, the repercussions could be devastating for the region and beyond,” he cautioned.

Tehran still hopes to convince European states to delay reimposing UN Security Council sanctions, warning that such a move would primarily benefit the U.S. in shaping future nuclear negotiations while isolating Europe. Yet, mixed signals persist within Iran.

Araghchi noted progress in discussions with UN weapons inspectors regarding their return to Iran’s disputed nuclear sites, a key European condition for postponing sanctions.

Meanwhile, Iran’s conservative-led parliament is debating legislation that would compel the country to exit the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if UN sanctions are restored. Such a decision would revoke obligations to permit inspections, cutting off external oversight of Iran’s nuclear program.

In his CuriosityNews piece, Araghchi criticizes European powers—France, Germany, and the UK—for abandoning their role as mediators between Iran and the U.S. and instead enabling unilateral American policies. He met with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in Doha last week.

He argues that European leaders are mistaken if they believe taking a hardline stance with Iran will elevate their global influence in Washington’s eyes.

The revival of UN sanctions “would only marginalize these nations in future diplomatic efforts, harming Europe’s credibility and international standing,” he wrote.

“Washington has consistently treated European states as minor players, evident in their exclusion from critical issues like the Russia-Ukraine crisis. The message is clear: gaining influence requires absolute alignment with U.S. demands.”

Additionally, he asserts that if Israel attempts to resume hostilities with Iran, as it did in June, it would rely heavily on U.S. military support—highlighting its dependence on American arms.

“While Israel may claim to act on behalf of Western interests, the reality is that Iran’s military remains fully prepared to defend itself," he stated.