TEHRAN : According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will lead the discussions, joined by the EU’s chief diplomat. The talks come as Tehran faces mounting pressure over its nuclear program, which has enriched uranium up to 60% purity, just short of weapons-grade levels, while cutting off cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) after its 12-day war with Israel in June.

Parallel to the call, IAEA officials in Vienna were set to meet Iranian representatives to continue talks initiated during a mid-August visit to Tehran by senior UN nuclear inspector Massimo Aparo. Access for IAEA inspectors remains a key sticking point, with Iran even threatening to arrest the agency’s director-general, Rafael Mariano Grossi.

The Europeans, who triggered the August 8 warning letter to Tehran, say Iran must provide a “satisfactory solution” by the end of the month or face the return of UN sanctions. After October, when the snapback provision expires, any renewed sanctions attempt could be vetoed by Russia or China, both of which have shown some support for Tehran.

Iran, however, has sought to downplay the threat. Spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Araghchi’s focus will be on lifting “unlawful sanctions” and demanding accountability for attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

The looming deadline underscores years of faltering negotiations since the 2015 nuclear accord.