Europe, China seek to revive Iran diplomacy as U.S. considers strikes

European foreign ministers were to meet their Iranian counterpart on Friday, seeking a path back to diplomacy over its contested nuclear program despite the U.S. considering joining Israeli strikes against Iran.

Meanwhile, China's permanent representative to the UN has called for the Security Council to take concrete actions for an immediate ceasefire, saying "The nuclear issue can only be resolved through negotiation."

Ministers from Britain, France and Germany, known as the E3, plus the European Union's foreign policy chief spoke to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi to agree on the meeting earlier this week and have been coordinating with the United States.

"The Iranians can't sit down with the Americans, whereas we can," said a European diplomat.

"We will tell them to come back to the table to discuss the nuclear issue before the worst-case scenario, while raising our concerns over its ballistic missiles, support to Russia and detention of our citizens."

The talks were due for mid-afternoon in Geneva, where an initial accord between Iran and world powers to curb its nuclear program in return for sanctions lifting was struck in 2013 before a comprehensive deal in 2015.

Separate talks between Iran and the U.S. collapsed when Israel launched what it called Operation Rising Lion against Iran's nuclear facilities and ballistic capabilities on June 12.

"There is no room for negotiations with the U.S. until Israeli aggression stops," Araqchi was quoted as saying on Iranian state TV on Friday.

The European powers had grown increasingly frustrated by the U.S. negotiating strategy. They deemed some of its demands unrealistic, while fearing a possibly weak initial political framework that would lead to open-ended negotiations.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot spoke to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday night, during which Rubio said Washington was ready for direct contact with the Iranians any time, according to a French diplomatic source.

The two agreed to a call after the Geneva meeting to continue coordination, the source added.

Iran: 'We will listen'

Two diplomats said there were no great expectations for a breakthrough in Geneva. But they said it was vital to engage with Iran because once the war stopped, Iran's nuclear program would still remain unresolved given that it would retain the know-how.

Araqchi said Iran had always had dialogue with Europe.

"Even now, if they have something to say, we will listen. We are not ashamed of defending our nation's rights and we are not avoiding anyone," he said.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said European powers had always been ready to talk provided Iran committed to not developing nuclear weapons.

"If this serious willingness exists, then the consequence on our part will also be that we are prepared to hold further talks," he said ahead of the Geneva meeting. "But now it's Iran's move."

U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will decide within two weeks whether to join Israeli strikes.

"A window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution," said British Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

Prior to Israel's strikes, the E3 and U.S. put forward a resolution that was approved by the 35-nation board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a UN watchdog, declaring Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations last week.

As part of last week's IAEA resolution, European officials had said they could refer Iran to the UN Security Council later in the summer to add pressure.

That would be separate to reimposing UN sanctions, known as the snapback mechanism, before October 18 when the 2015 accord expires. The Europeans are the only ones who can launch the snapback mechanism, with diplomats saying the three countries had looked to a final deadline at the end of August.

China's UN envoy calls for ceasefire and nuclear negotiation

Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, called on Thursday for the UN Security Council to take concrete actions for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

In an informal meeting with the press at the UN Headquarters in New York City, Fu said China is very concerned about the potential escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

"We are very concerned about the possible escalation, and I think that the view of the overwhelming majority of the international community is that we should see an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians," he said. 

"The nuclear issue can only be resolved through negotiation. So I think in that spirit, the Security Council needs to take some concrete actions in that respect."

Asked about China's reaction in case the U.S. directly joins the conflict, Fu said "We hope that President Trump will not take that decision."