Iran has proposed new talks with Britain and other European powers as part of ongoing negotiations with the United States over its nuclear programme. But last night, opposition leaders warned that the regime was “desperately trying to buy time” to avoid military strikes as it continues to expand its nuclear capabilities.

Tehran says it wants to build on momentum from talks with the US that resumed in Oman on Saturday – after talks with Russia and China last week – failed attempts, sources says, to secure some leverage over the US. Officials in Muscat said a fresh round of US-Iran negotiations could be held as early as Friday, this time in Europe. The Islamic Republic has now reached out to Britain, France, and Germany – the so-called E3 nations that were part of the original 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal, which is set to expire in October. That agreement, abandoned by US President Donald Trump during his first term in 2018, had offered Iran partial relief from international sanctions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said he was ready to travel to Europe for discussions, though he added that “the ball is in Europe’s court” after recent deterioration in relations.

Sources say Tehran want to gauge where the Europeans stand on the potential reimposition of UN sanctions, before any automatic “snapback” takes place in the autumn.

A second round of direct talks between the US and Iran took place recently in Rome, with Tehran admitting that “serious differences” remain.

Western diplomats said the E3 are assessing whether it is in their interests to engage now or to wait and see how discussions with Washington develop.

“It is important to remain on the same page with all parties to the 2015 deal,” said one Iranian official. “Therefore, meeting with the E3 this week ahead of the next round with the Americans would be useful.”

Western governments remain convinced that Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons, an allegation it continues to deny.

The looming threat of renewed sanctions is intended to pressure Tehran into concessions, making close coordination between the US and its European allies essential, diplomats say.

President Trump has warned he is prepared to strike Iran unless a new agreement is reached swiftly to prevent nuclear weapons development. But to Israel’s frustration, the administration appears willing to tolerate Iran maintaining a civilian nuclear framework.

Iran’s diplomatic overture has sparked cautious optimism, according to one regional analyst.

“Iran reaching out to European delegates is cause for cautious optimism,” said Megan Sutcliffe, an analyst with the Sibylline Strategic risk group.

“They’ve likely done this to build on momentum from US talks and to ease concern that the JCPOA will expire before a replacement can be agreed.”

She added: “Although a comprehensive agreement will take months, an interim deal now seems more likely — potentially bridging the gap left by expiring snapback clauses. That could help ease regional tensions and reduce the likelihood of US or Israeli air strikes in the short term.”

But Amir Fakhravar, Senate Chairman of the National Iranian Congress (NIC), which opposes the regime, dismissed Tehran’s efforts as a cynical ploy.

“Everything Iran is doing now is about playing for time,” he said. “The regime is desperate — desperate to avoid air strikes and desperate for relief from Trump’s maximum pressure campaign, which has crippled its economy.

“It went to Moscow and Beijing for help, only to discover it’s on its own with this issue. Trump has only been in office 100 days — and Tehran knows it can’t survive another four years of this.”

He added: “Iran will never voluntarily give up its nuclear weapons programme – it’s too invested: financially, politically, and, most of all, emotionally. It would rather see Israel destroy its nuclear sites and blame them, than surrender them willingly.”

Trump’s return to the White House had been viewed by many as the missing piece in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategy to settle the Iranian nuclear issue once and for all. Israeli air strikes last October destroyed most of Iran’s Russian-supplied air defence systems, opening a brief window for coordinated attacks on nuclear facilities.

But Washington has since urged restraint, warning Israel not to act until nuclear talks conclude.

In any case, Western officials say a decisive strike would require US involvement, both for military capability and political legitimacy.

“US participation in the strikes is essential,” said Fakhravar.

“Not just because they have the GBU-57 bombs and the B-2 bombers to deliver them, but because if the US is involved, Iranians will believe the West is truly on their side.

“That could be the spark that brings people into the streets to finally overthrow this terrible regime.”