Iran calls European statement on nuke talks ‘unconstructive’

Iran's foreign ministry on Saturday described as "unconstructive" and "regrettable" a joint statement issued by Germany, France and Britain about negotiations aimed at reviving a 2015 nuclear deal. The remarks came after the trio raised "serious doubts" about Iran's sincerity in seeking a revived nuclear agreement and warned that the Islamic republic's position was jeopardising the prospects of reaching a deal. The three European parties to the deal said Saturday that Tehran "has chosen not to seize this critical diplomatic opportunity", adding that "instead, Iran continues to escalate its nuclear programme way beyond any plausible civilian justification".