Iran, E3 to hold talks in New York in coming days

Iran and the three European countries of France, Britain and Germany, collectively known as the E3, will hold talks on Tehran's nuclear issue in New York on Monday or Tuesday, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday, citing an informed source.

The negotiations will be held at the level of foreign ministers and will be attended by European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, according to Tasnim.

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi left Tehran for New York on Sunday as the head of a diplomatic delegation to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

He is also scheduled to hold consultations with his counterparts from various countries on bilateral, regional and international issues on the sidelines of the UNGA session, according to a statement from the foreign ministry.

The new round of talks between Iran and the E3 came as the UN Security Council on Friday failed to adopt a resolution that would extend sanctions relief for Iran under a 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), between Tehran and world powers.

Last month, the E3 triggered the JCPOA's "snapback" mechanism, which allows UN sanctions to be reimposed within 30 days if Iran is judged in breach of the accord. The sanctions are expected to take effect later this month.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council announced on Saturday that the country's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency would be "effectively" suspended following the Security Council's vote.

Since September last year, Iran has held several rounds of talks with the three European states, mainly focused on Tehran's nuclear issue and the removal of sanctions.

(With input from Xinhua)