Iran insists diplomacy is the only way to resolve a decades-long nuclear dispute with the West, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Iranian state TV on Monday, adding it was time for the West to choose "cooperation or confrontation" amid looming sanctions.
Britain, France and Germany, known as the E3, launched a 30-day process on August 28 to reimpose UN sanctions, accusing Tehran of failing to abide by a 2015 deal with world powers aimed at preventing it from developing a nuclear weapon.
Araqchi said he will meet with his European counterparts and the head of the UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi in New York this week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to discuss Iran's nuclear program.
Two European diplomats told Reuters the meeting will be on Tuesday. "They have tested Iran repeatedly and know we do not respond to the language of pressure and threat," Araqchi said. "I hope we can find a diplomatic solution in the coming days, otherwise Tehran will take appropriate measures."
The European powers have offered to delay reinstating sanctions for up to six months -- to give diplomacy a chance -- if Iran restores access for UN nuclear inspectors to its nuclear sites, addresses concerns about its stock of enriched uranium and resumes talks with the United States.
But amid the looming threat of sanctions, two European diplomats said Iran's clerical rulers have so far failed to meet the conditions set by the E3. "The ball is in Iran's camp. It is up to it to quickly take the concrete steps in the coming days to avert snapback. If not then sanctions will be reimposed," said one of the diplomats.
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