France said negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme are entering a critical phase, with the French foreign minister warning that “time is running out” to reach an agreement. The assessment was echoed by Germany, whose foreign minister cautioned that the window for diplomacy is “very short” and urged Tehran to engage substantively. Paris and Berlin’s coordinated message comes ahead of a new round of talks aimed at finding a solution to the long-stalled dispute over Iran’s atomic work, according to French media reports citing minister Jean-Noël Barrot. European diplomats have repeatedly said Iran must curb its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, but recent discussions have produced limited progress.