Iran and European nations held direct talks in Istanbul as the deadline for possible renewed United Nations sanctions approaches. The discussions focused on Iran's growing stockpile of highly enriched uranium and the future of the 2015 nuclear agreement, which is set to expire soon. European diplomats warned that sanctions could be reimposed unless Iran takes concrete steps to address concerns about its nuclear activities and resumes cooperation with international inspectors. Iran, meanwhile, insisted on its right to enrich uranium and criticized the European stance, linking its engagement to the rebuilding of trust and the removal of sanctions. The talks come after recent military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and escalating tensions between Iran, Israel, and Western countries.