Ankara: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, during which they discussed preparations for the resumption of nuclear talks between Iran and the European signatories-Britain, France, and Germany-scheduled to take place in Istanbul this coming Friday.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the two ministers also reviewed the latest developments in Gaza and Syria amid ongoing regional tensions. Iranian state television had earlier announced the upcoming talks, noting they were requested by the three European countries that signed the 2015 nuclear agreement.

Iran originally signed the deal in 2015 with the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council-the United States, France, Britain, China, and Russia-plus Germany. The agreement aimed to limit Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. On May 8, 2018, the United States unilaterally withdrew from the agreement and reimposed sweeping economic sanctions on Tehran.

The region witnessed a major escalation on June 13, when Israel launched a surprise offensive against Iran that lasted 12 days and resulted in hundreds of casualties on both sides. A ceasefire was eventually brokered by the United States on June 24. Prior to the Israeli offensive, Tehran and Washington had engaged in several rounds of indirect negotiations aimed at reviving the nuclear accord, but the recent hostilities have cast doubt on the prospects for progress.