Europe worries US-Iran hasty framework agreement might deepen existing problems
European diplomats express deep concerns that the Trump administration's inexperienced negotiating team is rushing to secure a superficial nuclear framework agreement with Iran for political gain, potentially exacerbating deep-rooted geopolitical issues and marginalizing European allies.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 20, 2026 at 12:13
- 🔍 Collected: April 20, 2026 at 12:31 (18 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 12:58 (27 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA reporters, Paris/Dubai, 19th combined) Diplomats who have previously dealt with Iran stated that European allies are worried that the inexperienced US negotiating team is pushing for an initial framework agreement with Tehran in a short time. This will not only fail to resolve the problem but might exacerbate numerous deep-rooted disputes.
According to a Reuters report, these diplomats worry that Washington, in a bid to secure a diplomatic victory for US President Trump, might finalize a superficial nuclear agreement and ease sanctions, only to get bogged down in years of subsequent technical negotiations.
A senior European diplomat who handled nuclear issues told Reuters: "The worry is not about failing to reach an agreement, but about reaching a bad preliminary agreement that brings endless follow-up problems."
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly dismissed such criticisms, stating that Trump has a stellar track record of reaching high-quality agreements for US interests and will only accept an agreement based on the principle of America First.
● The 2015 Nuclear Deal and Negotiation Doubts
Diplomats from France, the UK, and Germany, who began mediating with Iran in 2003, stated they have been marginalized.
Between 2013 and 2015, these three countries worked with the US to reach an agreement to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly referred to as the Iran nuclear deal.
However, in 2018, during his first presidential term, Trump withdrew from the agreement signed by former President Obama, calling it "extremely one-sided."
Forty days after the US and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran in late February this year, dialogue was initiated in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, earlier this month, focusing on nuclear restrictions in exchange for sanctions relief.
But diplomats pointed out that deep-seated mistrust and highly different negotiation styles make this fragile framework politically unsustainable.
Federica Mogherini, who coordinated the 2015 negotiations, said: "It took us 12 years and massive technical work back then. Does anyone really believe this can be done in 21 hours?"
● High-level Agreement May Lack Details
Diplomats stated that while it might be possible to reach a skeletal agreement centered on nuclear and economic packages, they warned that the nuclear aspect remains the most contentious part.
Another European diplomat mentioned that the US believes reaching a few points of consensus in a 5-page document is sufficient, but on nuclear issues, every clause could open up over a dozen disputes.
Currently, negotiations are focused on Iran's roughly 440 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium. The preferred option is to dilute it within Iran under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); another option is a hybrid model where some material is shipped overseas, with Turkey and France listed as potential destinations.
A Western diplomat involved in previous nuclear talks stated, "Whatever the outcome of the current negotiations, it is merely a starting point. This is why the 2015 agreement was 160 pages long."
Former French chief negotiator Gerard Araud noted: "Negotiations with Iran are meticulous and delicate. Every word is crucial. This is not something that can be rushed."
On the economic front, Iran hopes to utilize its frozen overseas funds in the short term. A diplomat familiar with Tehran's stance said this is not a "real estate deal that can be settled with a handshake."
Tehran's top priority right now is to obtain non-aggression guarantees from the US and Israel. However, senior Trump administration officials stated that Washington's bottom lines include: ending the enriched uranium program, dismantling major enrichment facilities, taking back highly enriched uranium, and reaching an integrated framework for de-escalation with regional allies.
● Europe Sidelined but Still Influential
European officials admit that pushing for the restoration of UN sanctions last year and listing the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization indeed somewhat marginalized them.
But they stated the US negotiating team lacks expertise. A European official who participated in the 2015 talks pointed out that around 200 diplomatic, financial, and nuclear experts were involved back then. "We have invested over 20 years in this issue."
Facing skepticism, White House officials stated that personnel from the National Security Council, the State Department, and the Department of War have already been dispatched to participate and will continue to be involved in the negotiations. (Translator: Tsai Chia-min) 1150420
(CNA reporters, Paris/Dubai, 19th combined) Diplomats who have previously dealt with Iran stated that European allies are worried that the inexperienced US negotiating team is pushing for an initial framework agreement with Tehran in a short time. This will not only fail to resolve the problem but might exacerbate numerous deep-rooted disputes.
According to a Reuters report, these diplomats worry that Washington, in a bid to secure a diplomatic victory for US President Trump, might finalize a superficial nuclear agreement and ease sanctions, only to get bogged down in years of subsequent technical negotiations.
A senior European diplomat who handled nuclear issues told Reuters: "The worry is not about failing to reach an agreement, but about reaching a bad preliminary agreement that brings endless follow-up problems."
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly dismissed such criticisms, stating that Trump has a stellar track record of reaching high-quality agreements for US interests and will only accept an agreement based on the principle of America First.
● The 2015 Nuclear Deal and Negotiation Doubts
Diplomats from France, the UK, and Germany, who began mediating with Iran in 2003, stated they have been marginalized.
Between 2013 and 2015, these three countries worked with the US to reach an agreement to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly referred to as the Iran nuclear deal.
However, in 2018, during his first presidential term, Trump withdrew from the agreement signed by former President Obama, calling it "extremely one-sided."
Forty days after the US and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran in late February this year, dialogue was initiated in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, earlier this month, focusing on nuclear restrictions in exchange for sanctions relief.
But diplomats pointed out that deep-seated mistrust and highly different negotiation styles make this fragile framework politically unsustainable.
Federica Mogherini, who coordinated the 2015 negotiations, said: "It took us 12 years and massive technical work back then. Does anyone really believe this can be done in 21 hours?"
● High-level Agreement May Lack Details
Diplomats stated that while it might be possible to reach a skeletal agreement centered on nuclear and economic packages, they warned that the nuclear aspect remains the most contentious part.
Another European diplomat mentioned that the US believes reaching a few points of consensus in a 5-page document is sufficient, but on nuclear issues, every clause could open up over a dozen disputes.
Currently, negotiations are focused on Iran's roughly 440 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium. The preferred option is to dilute it within Iran under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); another option is a hybrid model where some material is shipped overseas, with Turkey and France listed as potential destinations.
A Western diplomat involved in previous nuclear talks stated, "Whatever the outcome of the current negotiations, it is merely a starting point. This is why the 2015 agreement was 160 pages long."
Former French chief negotiator Gerard Araud noted: "Negotiations with Iran are meticulous and delicate. Every word is crucial. This is not something that can be rushed."
On the economic front, Iran hopes to utilize its frozen overseas funds in the short term. A diplomat familiar with Tehran's stance said this is not a "real estate deal that can be settled with a handshake."
Tehran's top priority right now is to obtain non-aggression guarantees from the US and Israel. However, senior Trump administration officials stated that Washington's bottom lines include: ending the enriched uranium program, dismantling major enrichment facilities, taking back highly enriched uranium, and reaching an integrated framework for de-escalation with regional allies.
● Europe Sidelined but Still Influential
European officials admit that pushing for the restoration of UN sanctions last year and listing the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization indeed somewhat marginalized them.
But they stated the US negotiating team lacks expertise. A European official who participated in the 2015 talks pointed out that around 200 diplomatic, financial, and nuclear experts were involved back then. "We have invested over 20 years in this issue."
Facing skepticism, White House officials stated that personnel from the National Security Council, the State Department, and the Department of War have already been dispatched to participate and will continue to be involved in the negotiations. (Translator: Tsai Chia-min) 1150420