Iran has declared that it will not resume negotiations over its nuclear program while under continued attack from Israel, escalating a tense standoff in the Middle East. This statement came just hours after Israeli Defence Minister Eyal Zamir warned of a “prolonged campaign” against Iran, predicting “difficult days ahead” for the region.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with European diplomats in Geneva, where he firmly ruled out diplomacy until Israel halts its military operations. Araghchi insisted Iran’s nuclear program is strictly peaceful and accused Israel of violating international law. He asserted that Iran will continue to “exercise its legitimate right of self-defence,” making it clear that the country’s defense capabilities are “non-negotiable.”
The confrontation has turned increasingly violent. On Friday, Iran launched a barrage of missiles targeting Haifa, killing one Israeli woman due to a heart attack and bringing the Israeli death toll to 25. The Israel Defense Forces responded with fresh airstrikes, targeting Iranian ballistic missile storage and launch infrastructure in western Iran.
Explosions were reported near Tel Aviv, with falling shrapnel setting a building on fire in central Israel. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes have decimated key Iranian military installations over the past week, killing senior commanders and nuclear scientists. Iran’s Health Ministry reported 224 deaths, while an independent human rights organization placed the toll at 639.
At the international level, US President Donald Trump issued Iran a two-week ultimatum, threatening possible American airstrikes if diplomacy is not resumed. “I’m giving them a period of time, and I would say two weeks would be the maximum,” Trump said, dismissing ongoing European efforts as ineffective.
European leaders, including UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, urged Iran to consider negotiations without waiting for strikes to cease. Barrot warned against seeking a military solution or attempting regime change in Iran.
As diplomatic channels falter and military escalation continues, the region teeters on the brink of a wider war, with little sign of de-escalation in sight.
