“The chances of reaching a diplomatic solution before the sanctions go into effect are slim,” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told reporters on Tuesday. “Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon.”
But there was no sign of a compromise after the talks, according to a French diplomat.
“Iran has not fulfilled the conditions but the talks will continue to explore all possibilities until the end,” said the French official, who, like others quoted here, was granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive issue.
The same diplomat said the ball was now “in Iran’s court” ahead of a Saturday deadline when “snapback” sanctions will be imposed on the country.
According the German foreign ministry, the Europeans urged Iran to “take practical steps within the next days, if not hours” to address concerns about its nuclear program.
The U.K., France and Germany, known as the E3, had felt compelled to start the clock ticking due to a sunset clause that would have seen the snapback process expire.