Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft shares his view on Iranian nuclear talks and US-Iran relations, ahead of Tehran's meeting with Germany, France and the U.K. in Istanbul.

Tehran

An expert on Iran nuclear negotiations has indicated that Germany, France, and the UK—collectively known as the E3—have little leverage in talks with Iran, aside from the option to reimpose sanctions. The United States, having exited the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), cannot trigger these sanctions, leaving the E3 with limited influence.

The expert noted that Iran retains significant leverage due to its stockpile of enriched uranium and ballistic missiles, the exact status of which is unclear. The diplomatic path is considered more difficult following recent attacks, and the likelihood of a sustainable agreement remains tied to Iran being allowed limited uranium enrichment under strict inspections in exchange for sanctions relief. The possibility of Iran agreeing to zero enrichment is viewed as highly unlikely.

Germany, France, UK have no leverage in Iran nuclear talks: Expert

At the end of the day, we do not know where the stockpile is. And that is the key leverage that the Iranians had. It might be in the mountain, and the Iranians cannot access it. It might also be that the Iranians actually moved it before the bombings began. And as a result, they may still have access to it. So it's very difficult to say that we are actually in a better situation than we were before this attack. On the contrary, I think we're much worse, because what has also happened here is that the path toward a diplomatic solution has become far, far more difficult to pursue than it was before. Yeah. And you've been on record saying that, look, there's a certain irony in this. And it's kind of sad, because before the attack about a month-plus ago, you know, if the president hadn't been swayed by Bibi Netanyahu, we probably could have gotten back to something close to but not exactly like something that he pulled the U.S. out of back in his first term, which is the JCPOA. Look, be that as it may. So we've talked about how Iran has still significant leverage because of the enriched uranium. Nobody knows where that is or how much really they have. Also their stock of ballistic missiles, right, which is good enough and effective enough that, you know, Iran, excuse me, Israel had to ask the U.S. for THAAD missile batteries, right, two of them. On the side of the West and the E3, what leverage do they have at this stage? Well, the E3 actually has almost no leverage except the fact that they can snap back sanctions, something that the U.S. cannot do because the U.S. actually exited the deal formally. Since the U.S. is no longer a party to the JCPOA, they can no longer trigger the snapback sanctions. The Europeans can. But beyond that, they really do not have much leverage. So in the beginning, at least, they were threatening to use this leverage simply to exert some pressure and have some relevance in this equation, since Donald Trump essentially has cut them out of the negotiations. I think at this point, however, they are eager to try to find a way out of actually using the snapback, or at a minimum, try to throw back the deadline, extend the deadline for another six or so months, and be able to keep the leverage of issuing the threat of triggering it. But if they were to trigger it, we would see a further escalation that probably would not end up well for anyone. It certainly is not a clean-cut situation in which the Europeans could calculate that this leverage would force the Iranians to agree to compromises that they otherwise wouldn't. Rather, it's going to be this uncertainty of this escalation that is out of control, and we don't know exactly where things would end, and it would probably significantly increase the likelihood of further bloodshed. Trita, this diplomatic track that we're ironically back to now, what would be a realistic expectation in terms of an end-state or end-goal? Would it be still no weaponization of Iran, and should it be no enrichment? The contours of a realistic, sustainable deal actually have not changed, and that is still that there would be some sort of a compromise in which the Iranians do enrich uranium, but at low levels, not weapons-grade levels at all, under strict inspections with a lot of limitations in return for sanctions relief. Bottom line is that is nevertheless still the kind of deal that can be struck and should be struck if we want to have a sustainable solution. I don't believe that zero enrichment ever was in the cards. I think that was a poison pill, something the Israelis pushed for precisely because they knew it wouldn't lead to anywhere, and it would lead to the confrontation that the Israelis wanted. And I think it's even less likely that it will happen now, after the Iranians have been bombed. Yes, the Iranians have suffered. Their program has been set back, without a doubt. But the idea that that would then make them more amenable to a compromise that they have, to a capitulation that they for 20 years have refused to agree to, I find extremely unlikely, and frankly, delusional, because I think the Iranian calculation is, their perception is, if they agree to zero on enrichment, the next step is that the Israelis and the United States are going to push Iran to not have any ballistic missiles either, which essentially means without a nuclear program, without ballistic missiles, without these different groups that we call proxies, Iran then has absolutely no deterrence in the Middle East, in which Israel is largely acting with impunity. There's no way the Iranians will accept that without a fight.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said she will meet US President Donald Trump on Sunday in Scotland to "discuss transatlantic trade relations."

Glasgow

Global Tariffs

Ursula von der Leyen to meet Donald Trump to discuss trade

President Trump signed an executive order Thursday aimed at dramatically changing how the U.S. approaches homelessness.

Washington

Trump signs executive order changing U.S. approach to homelessness

Former NFL Wide Receiver Donté Stallworth tells CNN’s Jake Tapper that the reselling of Super Bowl tickets by players and employees has long been an “open secret.” Stallworth believes that imposing fines and threatening player suspensions will significantly curb the practice of selling tickets for profit.

New York

NFL issues fines for selling Super Bowl tickets above face value

Typhoon Co-May has left a trail of destruction across the Philippines, making landfall in the country's northwestern region. Torrential rains and strong winds have battered towns and cities, damaging homes, roads, and farmland. At least 25 people have been reported dead.

Pangasinan

Philippines hit hard by Typhoon Co-May, dozens killed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump appeared on Friday to abandon Gaza ceasefire negotiations with Palestinian militant group Hamas, a day after withdrawing their delegations from talks.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Netanyahu, Trump appear to abandon Gaza ceasefire negotiations

U.S. President Donald Trump is spending five days in Scotland visiting his luxury golf resorts. While the White House touts the economic impact, some locals say the developments have scarred the land and stirred controversy.

Edinburgh

Trump visits Scotland to tour golf courses amid protests

The U.S. Department of Justice is set to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's convicted accomplice, amid mounting political pressure on President Donald Trump over his administration's handling of the Epstein case.

Ghislaine Maxwell to meet with U.S. Justice Dept. amid Epstein probe

Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire for a second day on Friday (July 25) as their worst fighting in over a decade intensified and spread to new areas, despite international calls for a ceasefire.

Bangkok

Thailand, Cambodia exchange heavy artillery

France intends to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the UN General Assembly, President Emmanuel Macron said in hopes of bringing peace to the region, but the plan drew angry rebukes from Israel and the United States.

Macron says France will recognize Palestine as a state

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has approved a draft bill to restore the independence of anti-corruption agencies, following nationwide protests and EU concerns over recent reforms that threatened their autonomy.

Ukraine Invasion

Zelensky approves anti-corruption bill after protests

Chinese and European Union leaders have met in Beijing for their first in-person summit since 2023, addressing a range of contentious issues amidst growing trade tensions. The talks, led by Chinese President Xi Jinping and EU officials Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, highlighted the complex nature of China-EU relations.

Beijing

China-EU summit ends in climate deal, talks strain over Ukraine

The United Kingdom and India have signed a trade agreement that will reduce tariffs on goods from textiles to whisky, cars and spices and allow more market access for businesses. British PM Keir Starmer hailed the agreement as a “landmark moment” for both countries.

London

UK, India sign free trade agreement during Modi visit

President Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell had a disagreement almost immediately as the two men set foot in the Fed's headquarters in Washington to survey an extensive renovation project on two of the reserve's buildings. Nancy Cordes has more.

Trump, Powell clash during tour of Federal Reserve renovations

Hulk Hogan, the legendary professional wrestler whose real name was Terry Bollea, died on Thursday at the age of 71, according to World Wrestling Entertainment.

Clearwater

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dead at the age of 71, WWE says

At least 12 were killed as a Thai-Cambodian border dispute escalated into deadly clashes on Thursday (July 24).

Surin

Thailand bombs Cambodian targets as border clash escalates

According to preliminary data, 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members were on board.

Tynda

Passenger plane crashes in Russia, killing all 49 people on board

Pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died, World Wrestling Entertainment said in a statement on social media. He was 71. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more.

Hulk Hogan dies at 71, WWE says

The Wall Street Journal reports that former Attorney General Pam Bondi told President Trump his name appeared in the Epstein files. The White House denies wrongdoing.

Report: Trump was briefed on mentions in Epstein files

Columbia University will pay $200 million to resolve federal claims it failed to stop harassment of Jewish students during campus protests. The Trump administration had suspended the school's access to $400 million in funding.

Columbia settles for $200 million over antisemitism claims

Israel issued a statement indicating that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the Gaza negotiating team to return to Israel for ceasefire talks. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports.

Israel brings back Gaza negotiating team for ceasefire 'consultations'

Also in the settlement is an agreement to ask prospective international students “questions designed to elicit their reasons for wishing to study in the United States,” and establishes processes to make sure all students are committed to “civil discourse.”

Columbia University to pay more than $220M in deal with Trump

There are several developments in the cases involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the migrant in ICE custody whom the Trump administration wrongly deported. CBS News' Katrina Kaufman reports.

Nashville

Kilmar Abrego Garcia to remain detained following new court orders

Dr. Salvador Plasencia admitted to distributing ketamine to actor Matthew Perry before his 2023 overdose. He is the fourth person to plead guilty in the case and faces up to 40 years in prison.

Los Angeles

Doctor pleads guilty in Matthew Perry death case

While both sides acknowledged progress on humanitarian issues, talks on a full ceasefire remain stalled. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called for "result-oriented negotiations" to end the devastating war.

Istanbul

Russia and Ukraine conclude third round of peace talks in Istanbul

A passenger plane has crashed in southeastern Russia with up to 49 people onboard. Emergency services say the An-24 aircraft took off from the city of Khabarovsk and was heading to the town of Tynda. Wreckage was found on a mountainside around 15 kilometres from the flight's intended destination.

Russian passenger plane with 49 on board crashes

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed to retain the independence of anti-corruption agencies, bowing to pressure from the first wartime street protests and rare rebukes from European allies.

Kyiv

Zelenskiy to protect anti-corruption agencies, bows to protests

U.S. President Donald Trump's name is among the many appearing in the Epstein files, according to the Wall Street Journal, and he was told as much earlier this year by the U.S. Justice Department.

Trump calls reports he knew his name is in Epstein files ‘fake news’

Dr. Salvador Plasencia, the doctor accused of supplying Matthew Perry with ketamine in the month leading up to his death, has pleaded guilty to four counts  of distribution of ketamine. Plasencia is the fourth of the five people charged in connection with Perry's death to plead guilty.

California

Doctor accused of supplying ketamine to Matthew Perry pleads guilty

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged prisoners following the latest round of talks in Istanbul. The swap, involving dozens of soldiers — some severely wounded and held since the war’s start in 2022 — took place on Wednesday night. While the prisoner exchange marks a rare point of agreement, both delegations remain divided on ceasefire terms.

Ukraine-Russia talks: Delegations remain divided on ceasefire terms

After reviewing the Epstein files, Attorney General Pam Bondi told President Trump his name appears alongside many others, according to a new report in the Wall Street Journal. CNN’s Paula Reid details what we know.

Breakdown