Iran meets Europeans but no compromise over nuclear program as Tehran pushes back

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a meeting at Tahrir Palace in Cairo, Egypt, on September 9, 2025. KHALED ELFIQI / AP

European powers seeking to soon reimpose tough sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program met with Tehran's top diplomat on Tuesday, September 23, but there were no signs of compromise. There was, however, an agreement to continue talks as the clock ticks on the reimposition of deep sanctions on Iran's economy, even as Iran's supreme leader resisted European pressure.

"Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon," German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told reporters before the meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. But he added: "The chances of reaching a diplomatic solution before the sanctions go into effect are slim."

French President Emmanuel Macron said he would meet with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday to pursue a deal, but warned that "either Iran makes a gesture and goes back to the path of peace and accountability (...) or sanctions will have to be imposed."

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