Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei announced that Tehran will hold nuclear program talks with three European countries in Istanbul on Friday, with deputy foreign ministers representing each nation.

Why it matters:

These negotiations with European members of the JCPOA (France, UK, and Germany) represent ongoing diplomatic efforts amid stalled nuclear discussions with the United States. Iran- E3 talks are separate from indirect talks with the U.S.

The big picture:

This year, Iran has held four rounds of talks with E3 at New York, Geneva (twice), and Istanbul. The talks address the Iranian nuclear program and are held separately from Iran’s indirect talks with the U.S.

What he’s saying:

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei announced Iran’s agreement to hold the new round of talks following requests from the European countries.

He said: Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Kazem Gharibabadi, Iranian deputy foreign ministers, will represent Iran at Istanbul, which only focuses on Iran’s nuclear program.