Istanbul: The European parties to the nuclear agreement with Iran-Britain, France, and Germany-are set to convene a meeting at the deputy foreign ministers' level in Istanbul this Friday. This gathering aims to facilitate consultations concerning Iran's nuclear program and the potential lifting of sanctions, with participation from deputy ministers and high-ranking diplomats.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the meeting follows the resumption of talks between Tehran and Washington, which began on April 12. This development was prompted by a direct letter from former U.S. President Donald Trump to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in March. The letter called for the commencement of new nuclear negotiations and included an implicit threat of force.

Tehran responded to Trump's letter through diplomatic channels in the Sultanate of Oman. Subsequently, three indirect rounds of negotiations took place in Muscat and Rome, during which both Washington and Tehran reported "tangible progress."

Most recently, on Sunday, the Omani capital, Muscat, hosted a fourth round of talks between Washington and Tehran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described these discussions on Iranian state television as "more serious and difficult than their predecessors."