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Daily Maverick
an hour ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Iran says no nuclear talks under Israeli fire, Trump considers options
By Maayan Lubell, Parisa Hafezi and Trevor Hunnicutt A week after it began attacking Iran, Israel's military said it had carried out new strikes on dozens of military targets overnight, including missile production sites and a research organisation involved in nuclear weapons development in Tehran. Iran launched at least one new barrage of missiles early on Friday, striking near residential apartments, office buildings and industrial facilities in the southern city of Beersheba. The White House said on Thursday that President Donald Trump would decide on 'whether or not to go' with U.S. involvement in the conflict in the next two weeks, citing the possibility of negotiations involving Iran in the near future. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday there was no room for negotiations with Israel's superpower ally the United States 'until Israeli aggression stops'. But he was due to meet European foreign ministers in Geneva later on Friday for talks at which Europe hopes to establish a path back to diplomacy over Iran's nuclear programme. Two diplomats said before the meeting involving France, Britain, Germany and the European Union's foreign policy chief that Araqchi would be told the U.S. is still open to direct talks. Expectations for a breakthrough are low, diplomats say. Israel began attacking Iran last Friday, saying its longtime enemy was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Iran, which says its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes, retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel. Israel is widely assumed to possess nuclear weapons. It neither confirms nor denies this. Israeli air attacks have killed 639 people in Iran, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, a U.S.-based human rights organisation that tracks Iran. The dead include the military's top echelon and nuclear scientists. Israel has said at least two dozen Israeli civilians have been killed in Iranian missile attacks. Reuters could not independently verify the death toll from either side. Details of casualties in the latest strikes were not immediately known. CIVILIANS KILLED Both sides say they are attacking military and defence-related targets, but civilians have also been caught in the crossfire and each has accused the other of hitting hospitals. An Iranian news website said a drone had struck an apartment in a residential building in central Tehran on Friday, but did not give details. Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear installations so far pose only limited risks of contamination, experts say. But they warn that any attack on the nuclear power station at Bushehr could cause a nuclear disaster. Israel says it is determined to destroy Iran's nuclear capabilities but that it wants to avoid any nuclear disaster in a region that is inhabited by tens of millions of people and produces much of the world's oil. The meeting in Geneva was due to start on Friday afternoon. The Swiss city is where an initial accord was struck in 2013 to curb Iran's nuclear programme in return for sanctions being lifted. A comprehensive deal followed in 2015. Trump pulled the U.S. out of the agreement in 2018. A new series of talks between Iran and the U.S. collapsed when Israel launched what it called Operation Rising Lion against Iran's nuclear facilities and ballistic capabilities on June 12. Trump has alternated between threatening Tehran and urging it to resume nuclear talks. His special envoy to the region, Steve Witkoff, has spoken to Araqchi several times since last week, sources say. The Middle East has been on edge since the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked it in October of 2023, triggering the Gaza war, and Israel has been fighting on several fronts against Iran's regional allies. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz warned on Friday of further action against Iranian ally Hezbollah, a day after the Lebanese militant group suggested it would come to Iran's aid. Western and regional officials say Israel is trying to shatter the government of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday 'the downfall of the regime … may be a result, but it's up to the Iranian people to rise for their freedom.' Iranian opposition groups think their time may be near, but activists involved in previous protests say they are unwilling to unleash mass unrest with their nation under attack, and Iranian authorities have cracked down hard on dissent. 'How are people supposed to pour into the streets? In such horrifying circumstances, people are solely focused on saving themselves, their families, their compatriots, and even their pets,' said Atena Daemi, a prominent activist who spent six years in prison before leaving Iran.
Business Recorder
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Iran says no nuclear talks under Israeli fire, Trump considers options
JERUSALEM/DUBAI/WASHINGTON: Iran said on Friday it would not discuss the future of its nuclear programme while under attack by Israel, as Europe tried to coax Tehran back into negotiations and the United States considers whether to get involved in the conflict. A week after it began attacking Iran, Israel's military said it had carried out new strikes on dozens of military targets overnight, including missile production sites and a research organisation involved in nuclear weapons development in Tehran. Iran launched at least one new barrage of missiles early on Friday, striking near residential apartments, office buildings and industrial facilities in the southern city of Beersheba. The White House said on Thursday that President Donald Trump would decide on 'whether or not to go' with U.S. involvement in the conflict in the next two weeks, citing the possibility of negotiations involving Iran in the near future. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday there was no room for negotiations with Israel's superpower ally the United States 'until Israeli aggression stops'. Trump to decide on US action in Israel-Iran war within two weeks, White House says But he was due to meet European foreign ministers in Geneva later on Friday for talks at which Europe hopes to establish a path back to diplomacy over Iran's nuclear programme. Two diplomats said before the meeting involving France, Britain, Germany and the European Union's foreign policy chief that Araqchi would be told the U.S. is still open to direct talks. Expectations for a breakthrough are low, diplomats say. Israel began attacking Iran last Friday, saying its longtime enemy was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Iran, which says its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes, retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel. Israel is widely assumed to possess nuclear weapons. It neither confirms nor denies this. Israeli air attacks have killed 639 people in Iran, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, a U.S.-based human rights organisation that tracks Iran. The dead include the military's top echelon and nuclear scientists. Israel has said at least two dozen Israeli civilians have been killed in Iranian missile attacks. Israeli defence minister warns Hezbollah against joining conflict with Iran Reuters could not independently verify the death toll from either side. Details of casualties in the latest strikes were not immediately known. Civilians killed Both sides say they are attacking military and defence-related targets, but civilians have also been caught in the crossfire and each has accused the other of hitting hospitals. An Iranian news website said a drone had struck an apartment in a residential building in central Tehran on Friday, but did not give details. Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear installations so far pose only limited risks of contamination, experts say. But they warn that any attack on the nuclear power station at Bushehr could cause a nuclear disaster. Israel says it is determined to destroy Iran's nuclear capabilities but that it wants to avoid any nuclear disaster in a region that is inhabited by tens of millions of people and produces much of the world's oil. Israel's attack on Iran violates international law: FO The meeting in Geneva was due to start on Friday afternoon. The Swiss city is where an initial accord was struck in 2013 to curb Iran's nuclear programme in return for sanctions being lifted. A comprehensive deal followed in 2015. Trump pulled the U.S. out of the agreement in 2018. A new series of talks between Iran and the U.S. collapsed when Israel launched what it called Operation Rising Lion against Iran's nuclear facilities and ballistic capabilities on June 12. Trump has alternated between threatening Tehran and urging it to resume nuclear talks. His special envoy to the region, Steve Witkoff, has spoken to Araqchi several times since last week, sources say. The Middle East has been on edge since the Hamas attacked it in October of 2023, triggering the Gaza war, and Israel has been fighting on several fronts against Iran's regional allies. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz warned on Friday of further action against Iranian ally Hezbollah, a day after the Lebanese group suggested it would come to Iran's aid. Western and regional officials say Israel is trying to shatter the government of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday 'the downfall of the regime … may be a result, but it's up to the Iranian people to rise for their freedom.' Iranian opposition groups think their time may be near, but activists involved in previous protests say they are unwilling to unleash mass unrest with their nation under attack, and Iranian authorities have cracked down hard on dissent. 'How are people supposed to pour into the streets? In such horrifying circumstances, people are solely focused on saving themselves, their families, their compatriots, and even their pets,' said Atena Daemi, a prominent activist who spent six years in prison before leaving Iran.
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Iran says no nuclear talks while under Israeli fire as Trump considers options
Iran said on Friday it would not discuss the future of its nuclear programme while under attack by Israel, as Europe tried to coax Tehran back into negotiations and the United States considers whether to get involved in the conflict. A week after it began attacking Iran, Israel's military said it had carried out new strikes on dozens of military targets overnight, including missile production sites and a research organisation involved in nuclear weapons development in Tehran. Iran launched at least one new barrage of missiles early on Friday, striking near residential apartments, office buildings and industrial facilities in the southern city of Beersheba. The White House said on Thursday that US president Donald Trump would decide on "whether or not to go" with US involvement in the conflict in the next two weeks, citing the possibility of negotiations involving Iran in the near future. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday there was no room for negotiations with Israel's superpower ally the United States "until Israeli aggression stops". But he was due to meet European foreign ministers in Geneva later on Friday for talks at which Europe hopes to establish a path back to diplomacy over Iran's nuclear programme. Two diplomats said before the meeting involving France, Britain, Germany and the European Union's foreign policy chief that Araqchi would be told the US is still open to direct talks. Expectations for a breakthrough are low, diplomats say. Israel began attacking Iran last Friday, saying its longtime enemy was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Iran, which says its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes, retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel. Israel is widely assumed to possess nuclear weapons. It neither confirms nor denies this. Israeli air attacks have killed 639 people in Iran, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, a US-based human rights organisation that tracks Iran. The dead include the military's top echelon and nuclear scientists. Read More Trump sets deadline of two weeks to decide if US will join Israel's war on Iran
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Israel–Iran conflict enters second week as civilian toll rises, missile strikes escalate, and global diplomacy urges restraint
The ongoing air war between Israel and Iran has entered its second week, with no sign of either side backing down. On Friday, officials from Britain, France, Germany, and the European Union gathered in Geneva to meet with Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in an attempt to defuse the growing crisis. This comes as U.S. President Donald Trump said a decision on possible American involvement would be made within two weeks. Israel began striking Iranian targets last Friday, saying the attacks were aimed at halting Iran's nuclear ambitions. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks, insisting its nuclear program remains peaceful. Rising death toll and targeted strikes According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, Israeli airstrikes have resulted in 639 deaths in Iran, including senior military figures and nuclear scientists. Iran's missile attacks have killed at least two dozen Israeli civilians, according to Israeli authorities. These figures could not be independently verified. Israel's military has reportedly focused on Iranian missile systems and nuclear research facilities, aiming to damage the country's key infrastructure. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that while regime change in Iran is not an official goal, it could become a consequence if the Iranian public seeks it. Iran, meanwhile, claims it is targeting Israeli military sites, though some strikes have hit civilian areas. On Thursday, a major hospital in Beersheba was struck. Iran said it was aiming for military offices nearby, but Israeli officials denied any such facilities were present. Civilian damage and international concern Early Friday, the Israeli military issued another missile alert. One missile directly hit a site in Beersheba, damaging apartment buildings and industrial areas. Paramedic Shafir Botner described extensive destruction and confirmed at least six people were injured. Footage from Israeli broadcaster Kan showed burning vehicles, damaged homes, and emergency workers conducting searches. In response, Israel carried out strikes in Tehran targeting missile production and nuclear-related infrastructure. The military described the operations as part of an ongoing effort to reduce Iran's military capabilities. Global reactions and uncertain U.S. role As diplomatic discussions continue, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held meetings and calls with officials from Australia, France, Italy, and the U.K., reaffirming that Iran should never acquire nuclear weapons. Rubio's message was echoed by British Foreign Minister David Lammy, who described the situation as 'perilous' and stressed the urgency of de-escalation. Trump's administration has not confirmed any direct intervention, though Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has been in repeated contact with Araqchi. Trump is expected to attend a national security meeting and may decide on military action within the next two weeks, though this timeline remains flexible. Unrest within Iran and public sentiment While international pressure mounts, Iran faces one of the biggest external threats since its 1979 revolution. However, domestic opposition groups have not mobilized protests amid the conflict. Human rights activist Atena Daemi, who previously served a prison term in Iran, said citizens are prioritizing safety. 'In these conditions, people are focused on protecting themselves, their families, and their communities,' she rising casualties, continued strikes, and international diplomacy underway, the Israel–Iran conflict is showing no signs of immediate resolution.
Ammon
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Ammon
Israel-Iran air war enters second week as missile attacks continue
Ammon News - Iran said on Friday it would not discuss the future of its nuclear programme while under attack by Israel, as Europe sought to draw Tehran back into negotiations and the United States considers whether to get involved in the conflict. Israel began attacking Iran last Friday, saying it wanted to prevent its longtime enemy from developing nuclear weapons. Iran, which says its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes, retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel. The White House said on Thursday that President Donald Trump would decide on U.S. action in the next two weeks. Israeli air attacks have killed 639 people in Iran, the Human Rights Activists News Agency said, with those killed including the military's top echelon and nuclear scientists. Israel has said at least two dozen Israeli civilians have died in Iranian missile attacks. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said there was no room for negotiations with Israel's superpower ally the United States, which he called a partner in crime, "until Israeli aggression stops".
