The E3 – comprising France, Germany, and the UK – has become a cornerstone of international
diplomacy towards Iran. In 2003, the E3 initiated negotiations with Tehran
to address the crisis over the Iranian nuclear issue, and was subsequently joined by
the EU, as well as world powers China, Russia, and the US (altogether forming the E3/
EU+3). After years of nuclear diplomacy and international sanctions, the Iran nuclear
deal – the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – was concluded in
July 2015. The E3 enabled the EU to play a fundamental role in a major political issue,
thus also triggering the support for the initiative by non-E3 countries within the EU.
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