Iran will not return to negotiations over its nuclear programme while under attack, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in Geneva, hours after Israel warned of a “prolonged” conflict with Tehran. Meeting European diplomats on Friday, Araghchi insisted Iran would only resume talks with the US and its allies if Israel halted its aggression.
“Our nuclear programme is peaceful,” he told reporters, “but Iran will continue to exercise its legitimate right to self-defence as long as Israel’s attacks persist.” He also dismissed any suggestion of curbing Iran’s missile programme, calling its defence capabilities “non-negotiable”, reports BBC
The remarks came as fighting raged across the region. Israel carried out a new wave of strikes on Iranian missile and launch facilities after Iran fired ballistic missiles at central Israel overnight.
Explosions were heard near Tel Aviv, and a fire broke out in central Israel after debris from an intercepted missile fell. One Israeli woman died of a heart attack during the strikes, bringing the Israeli death toll to 25 since the conflict began. Eyal Zamir, Israel’s defence minister, warned of “difficult days ahead” and vowed to target Iran’s nuclear sites until they were dismantled.
In Washington, US President Donald Trump gave Tehran “a two-week deadline” to come to its senses or face American strikes. “Iran doesn’t want to talk to Europe,” Trump said. “They want to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help in this.”
European ministers urged restraint. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the Middle East as “perilous and deadly serious,” saying the US had provided a short window to resolve the crisis. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called on Iran to enter direct talks with all parties, including Washington, warning that “no definitive solution can come through military means.” Barrot also cautioned that seeking regime change in Iran would be dangerous.
Meanwhile, Iran’s health ministry reported that at least 224 people had been killed since the air strikes began, with independent rights groups placing the death toll closer to 639. Israel says its latest strikes destroyed Iranian military facilities and killed senior commanders and nuclear scientists. In response, Iran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israeli cities.