Tehran, 24 November 2024 (dpa/MIA) - The Iranian Foreign Ministry has announced a new round of talks this month with European countries about its nuclear programme and the conflict in the Middle East.

According to Iranian media reports, ministry spokesman Ismail Baghai on Sunday said representatives would meet officials from Germany, France and Britain in Geneva next Friday.

There was initially no confirmation from other sources.

The consultations on November 29 will follow on from talks held on the fringes of the last UN General Assembly in late September, Baghai said.

The dispute over Iran's nuclear programme has recently come to a head.

Following formal criticism from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Tehran threatened to commission thousands of new centrifuges for uranium enrichment.

Iran is currently enriching uranium to a purity level of 60%. According to experts, more than 90% is required for nuclear weapons. Iran's government insists the nuclear programme is used for civilian purposes only.

In 2018, then US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the Vienna nuclear pact, which was intended to restrict Iran's programme and ease sanctions in return.

Since then, the country has no longer strictly adhered to the conditions. Talks to revive a nuclear deal have been on ice for years.

Photo: EPA