DUBAI (Reuters) -Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and his French, British and German counterparts agreed on Friday to resume talks next week on nuclear issues, Iranian state media reported, as a threat by the European powers to reimpose sanctions looms.

Iran said Friday its foreign minister spoke by phone with his French, German and British counterparts to avoid the reimposition of UN sanctions over Tehran's nuclear program, just days ahead of a European deadline.

The clash over Iran's nuclear program is escalating, with U.S. sanctions and Europe's snapback threat putting Tehran under maximum pressure.