Merkel Says We Need to Explore All Ways of Reducing Tensions Between US, Iran

“We have to find a way to de-escalate - if not we have to fear that Iran reneges even further on its [nuclear deal] commitments even further in September,” Merkel told reporters, Reuters reported.

The chancellor noted that she had only been informed at short notice that Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif would arrive for talks in Biarritz.

On Sunday, the Iran’s foreign minister made a flying visit for talks with host France at the G7 summit, as Paris ramped up efforts to ease tensions between Tehran and Washington, a dramatic diplomatic move that the White House announced had surprised them.

Zarif, who is under US sanctions, flew to the Southwest French town of Biarritz where the Group of Seven leaders are meeting. He held more than three hours of talks, including with French President Emmanuel Macron, before heading back to Tehran.

“Road ahead is difficult. But worth trying,” Zarif tweeted, adding that in addition to meeting French leaders he had given a joint briefing to officials from Germany and Britain.

French officials sought to bill the meeting as important to “refine Iranian propositions” to help defuse the crisis after G7 leaders had discussed Iran over dinner on Saturday.

“The discussions that were held between the president and Zarif were positive and will continue,” a French official said after the meeting, declining to take detailed questions.

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