Iran nuclear

The original plan, which would have cost billions of shekels and demanded a vast amount of intelligence collected to succeed, was continuously delayed and would not have have been ready in time.

The E3 offered to delay reinstating sanctions - known as snapback - for up to six months if Iran adresses concerns about its nuclear program.

Abbas Araghchi's statement came hours after three European powers triggered the process to reimpose UN snapback sanctions on Tehran.

This comes after Iranian leaders met with representatives of the E3 countries, the UK, France, and Germany, in Geneva on Tuesday. 

France, Britain, and Germany, known as the E3, have long threatened to trigger the "snapback" of sanctions at the United Nations Security Council by October 18.

This diplomatic blitz comes as Europeans approach a deadline they have set: either Iranian concessions on its nuclear program, or snapback sanctions.

Last month, Iran enacted a law passed by parliament suspending cooperation with the IAEA.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister and Grossi discussed developments in the Iranian nuclear issue during their separate Tuesday call.

The three countries wrote in a letter to the UN and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday to raise the issue unless the Islamic Republic shows willingness to resume talks.

Iran says it's open to direct nuclear talks with the US if conditions are right, but dismisses US demands to halt uranium enrichment as "a joke."