At UN Iran and Europeans to test diplomacy with US election looming

19/9/2024 14:05

        Iranian and European officials will meet at the U.N. General Assembly in New York next week in a test of whether the two sides can find a path back to diplomacy over Iran's nuclear programme, while lowering tensions with Israel and the West.
        
        In his first trip to the West since his election in July, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will land on American soil six weeks before a close Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election that could put former President Donald Trump - a staunch opponent of compromise with Iran - back in office.
        
        Three Iranian officials told Reuters that Pezeshkian, a relative moderate, will deliver a message that "Tehran is open to diplomacy", while emphasizing that Tehran will not bow to pressure.
        
        Iran's leaders hope to see an easing of U.S. sanctions over its nuclear programme. But relations with the West have worsened since the Iranian-backed Hamas militant group attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7 and as Tehran has increased its support for Russia's war in Ukraine.