The European Union has warned that any renewed nuclear agreement with Iran risks being weaker than the 2015 accord if ongoing U.S.–Iran negotiations exclude nuclear specialists from the discussions.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas issued the caution on Friday, saying that the absence of technical expertise at the negotiating table could undermine the quality and enforceability of any future deal.
“If the talks are only about the nuclear and there are no nuclear experts around the table, then we will end up with an agreement that is weaker than the JCPOA was,” Kallas said.
Her remarks came as EU leaders gathered in Cyprus for a two-day meeting focused on the economic and security implications of escalating tensions in the Middle East. The discussions have been shaped by wider regional instability and concerns over global energy security, particularly in relation to maritime routes.
The 2015 nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was signed between Iran and six world powers—the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, Germany—and the European Union. The deal placed restrictions on Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief, and was widely viewed as a major diplomatic breakthrough at the time.
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However, the agreement began to unravel after the United States withdrew unilaterally during President Donald Trump’s first term, prompting Iran to gradually scale back its compliance with the deal’s restrictions.
Since then, efforts to revive or replace the JCPOA have repeatedly stalled amid political disagreements, shifting geopolitical tensions and concerns about Iran’s advancing nuclear capabilities.
Kallas stressed that European leaders remain focused on ensuring stability in the region, particularly regarding maritime security. She reiterated that freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global shipping route for oil and gas—is “non-negotiable”.
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EU leaders at the Cyprus meeting also discussed the possibility of increasing the bloc’s military presence in the region to help safeguard shipping lanes and deter further escalation.
The warning highlights growing European concern that diplomatic efforts risk producing a weaker framework unless negotiations are grounded in technical and scientific input from nuclear experts capable of assessing compliance mechanisms and verification standards.
Analysts say the EU’s position reflects broader frustration over the slow progress in restoring a comprehensive nuclear agreement, as well as fears that continued instability could further disrupt global energy markets.
With tensions still high in the Middle East and diplomatic channels fragile, the EU has positioned itself as a key advocate for a structured, expert-led negotiation process aimed at preventing further nuclear escalation while maintaining regional stability.
For now, the future of any renewed Iran nuclear deal remains uncertain, with significant differences persisting among global powers over both the structure and scope of potential negotiations.
