In the video conference with the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Britain, and the EU’s foreign policy chief, Araghchi bluntly highlighted an undeniable reality: it was the United States, not Iran, that withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal. It was Washington that, instead of returning to diplomacy, chose the military option this June and walked away from the negotiating table. Araghchi stressed that any new round of talks would only be possible if the West is prepared to accept a balanced and fair agreement, rather than clinging to its outdated policy of threats and pressure.
These remarks carry special weight against the backdrop of Israel’s recent aggression against Iran, which triggered a 12-day Sacred Defense by the Islamic Republic, alongside direct US attacks on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Tehran has made it clear that while the path of diplomacy remains open, it cannot coexist with military aggression or threats such as the snapback mechanism or UN sanctions. Iran has demonstrated that whether on the battlefield or at the negotiating table, it will never be the weaker side, and it will convey its message in both arenas, clearly and unambiguously.
12-day Sacred Defense: exposing the West’s deterrence failure
Although Iran’s 12-day Sacred Defense against Israeli attacks has ended with a fragile ceasefire, it exposed the true nature of the crisis. Washington and Tel Aviv failed to shift the balance in their favor, while Iran proved it has substantial capacity to pursue its strategic objectives on the ground. Strategic analysts argue, however, that this war is not an end but the start of a new phase of regional tensions, and the current ceasefire should be viewed merely as a short pause to regroup.
Notably, the most serious threats ever made against Iran to deter its peaceful nuclear program failed to yield the West’s desired outcome. The US attacks on Iran’s sensitive facilities were interpreted less as deterrence and more as a sign of strategic confusion in the White House. Striking nuclear sites without achieving any tangible political result only deepened divisions and aggravated the crisis.
Persian Gulf states’ reaction: mediation or deep concern?
Although the Israeli aggression did not spread to the Persian Gulf – apart from Iran’s retaliatory attack on the US Al Udeid base in Qatar – recent developments have put Persian Gulf countries in a difficult position, fearing the spillover of conflict into this strategic region. They are well aware that continued tensions between Iran, the US, and Israel could destabilize the Persian Gulf. This concern has prompted some states, behind closed doors and in quiet diplomatic channels, to discuss potential joint security initiatives with Iran. The Persian Gulf has reached a point where any miscalculation could turn it into the epicenter of a major crisis.
Europe’s threat diplomacy: solution or dead end?
The three European countries and the EU foreign policy chief are trying to keep diplomatic channels alive. Yet repeated threats to trigger the snapback mechanism have not helped diplomacy; they have only deepened Tehran’s mistrust of the West’s sincerity. Europeans now realize that activating the snapback would not force Iran to back down but could instead push it to further expand its nuclear activities, effectively closing the path of diplomacy.
Limited opportunity as time works against all
Time benefits none of the actors. The absence of inspectors in Iran has further dimmed prospects for a deal. Europe also understands that artificial deadlines will not contain this crisis. If the current trajectory continues, the likelihood of the crisis spreading to the Persian Gulf will rise exponentially – a region that cannot withstand a new war.
Araghchi’s talks with European ministers have raised the prospect of a new round of negotiations between Iran and Europe. The Europeans have announced they will delay activating the snapback mechanism until the end of summer to give diplomacy another chance.
Though the talks between Araghchi and the European foreign ministers appeared diplomatic on the surface, it carried a profound message: Iran is ready to negotiate, but not under threats and pressure. The 12-day war, US attacks, and snapback threats are all alarm bells that, if ignored, could push the region into uncontrollable crisis. This is a moment demanding serious policy reconsideration and a return to realistic diplomacy – before decisions slip out of the players’ hands.
NOURNEWS