Al -Jazeera Net Correspondents
Tehran- At the height of the military escalation between Iran Israel, international diplomatic moves are intensified in an attempt to contain tension and prevent the region’s slipping towards a comprehensive confrontation.
In this context, the city of Geneva is witnessing, today, Friday, an important meeting between the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas AraqjiAnd European Troika foreign ministers (Germany, France, Britain), in an indication of a political window that is still open despite the escalation of the conflict.
French Foreign Minister Jean -Noel Barrow stressed that the Europeans “are talking with Iran to reduce the escalation”, stressing that “the only way to move forward is the dialogue.”
On the other hand, Tehran made it clear that the negotiations with European countries are limited to Nuclear file Regional files, reject any discussion in Iran missile capabilitiesHe described as defensive and not negotiating.
Joint initiative
For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a joint European initiative, saying that France, Germany and Britain “will make a full negotiating offer for Iran”, but it linked any progress with other files that exceed Nuclear program; He called for the inclusion of “the issue of Iran’s financing for its allies in the Middle East” in the negotiations.
He also confirmed the continuation of the role International Atomic Energy Agency To ensure that Iran does not do bUranium enrichment For military purposes. Macron stressed that “nothing justifies the targeting of infrastructure and civilians” in the current confrontation.
For his part, German Foreign Minister Johan Fadivoul announced his country’s openness to dialogue with Tehran, provided that “serious guarantees” are presented for its nuclear program.
These diplomatic developments come at a sensitive time, as visions differ between Europe, which prefers the path of calm, the United States and Israel, which continue to pressure Iran, which makes these negotiations a real test of the seriousness of the parties to avoid further escalation and engage in a possible settlement.
Parallel
For his part, political science professor Mustafa Najafi considered that the meeting of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqji with European Troika foreign ministers in light of the ongoing war between Iran and Israel, represents a “smart, thoughtful and studied” step by Tehran, aimed at using diplomatic tools in parallel with the military presence in the field.
Najafi said in an intervention to Al -Jazeera Net, “Iran is fully aware that the resolution in this confrontation will not be only military, and therefore it seeks to open a parallel diplomatic path to contain escalation and achieve political and security gains.”
He added that the meeting, which took place at the request of the three European countries, holds several messages, the most prominent of which is Tehran’s affirmation of its right to legitimate defense in the face of what it considers an Israeli aggression, and its right to the equal and deterrent response, which proves that it is not the one who started the war, but it is ready to continue it if necessary.
Najafi pointed out that Iran is also trying from this meeting “a direct warning to Europe of the consequences of getting involved in the war, or supporting any military action against it, especially if Washington is drawn or NATO to the conflict.”
It is likely that Tehran may be presented in the talks, specific demands, including condemnation Israeli aggressionOr at least adopt a neutral position on Europeans instead of aligned with any party.
Najafi concluded, “Iran does not consider this step a sign of weakness, but rather sees it as an expression of strategic maturity, as it maintains its military tools active, but at the same time it keeps the door for diplomatic initiatives, if Europe decides to move away even partially from the hard -line American position.”
The negotiating front
For his part, political analyst Reda Ghobeshawi believes that “the most important requirement that Abbas Araqji carried to the negotiating table is to stop Israeli attacks, which is an absolute priority for Tehran to exceed any other file.”
He adds to Al -Jazeera Net, that Iran may show a degree of flexibility in the nuclear file in exchange for a serious European move to pressure Israel to stop the war, as well as pushing the United States, specifically the Trump administration, towards accepting a temporary calm with Tehran.
According to Jobshawi, “Tehran is betting that the Geneva meeting may constitute an opportunity to redirect the European position in a way that leads to regional calm, but the main obstacle remains in Israel and the United States, which is hiring an idea, that the war gives them a better opportunity to achieve their goals.”
He concludes, “Decision makers in Tel Aviv believe that the continuation of the war against Iran will lead them to strategic gains that cannot be achieved to the negotiating table, which complicates the chances of reaching a comprehensive settlement in the short term.”