LONDON: British overseas minister David Lammy will head to Geneva on Friday for nuclear talks with Iran and European counterparts, racing to press for a diplomatic resolution over Tehran’s nuclear programme, his workplace mentioned on Thursday (Jun 19).
Israel and Iran have been in a spiralling air war since final week after Israel launched navy strikes on Iran, which retaliated with waves of missiles.
Lammy’s journey to Switzerland follows his go to to Washington, the place he on Thursday met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White Home Particular Envoy to the Center East Steve Witkoff.
“We’re decided that Iran must not ever have a nuclear weapon … A window now exists inside the subsequent two weeks to attain a diplomatic resolution,” Lammy mentioned in a press release.
“Now’s the time to place a cease to the grave scenes within the Center East and forestall a regional escalation that might profit nobody.”
The overseas ministers of Britain, France and Germany – often called the E3 – will meet with the European Union’s high diplomat, Kaja Kallas, at Germany’s everlasting mission in Geneva earlier than holding a joint assembly with the Iranian overseas minister, a German supply beforehand advised Reuters.
Rubio mentioned with Lammy the battle between Israel and Iran, the pair agreeing that the Islamic Republic can “by no means develop or purchase a nuclear weapon”, a spokesperson for Rubio mentioned in a press release.
Israel has mentioned its aim is to get rid of Tehran’s capacity to develop a nuclear weapon. Iran denies that its nuclear programme is for navy functions.
The White Home mentioned earlier on Thursday that US President Donald Trump will make a decision within the next two weeks whether or not to become involved on Israel’s facet.