Iran announced on Friday that discussions over its nuclear plans are off the table while Israeli military operations continue, even as European nations try to revive diplomatic efforts and the U.S. contemplates its role in the escalating crisis.
As fighting enters its second week, Israel confirmed overnight strikes targeting multiple military facilities, including locations suspected of contributing to missile technology and nuclear research in Tehran.
In retaliation, Iran fired another round of missiles early Friday, some of which landed close to housing blocks, office centers, and industrial zones in Beersheba, a city in the south.
A White House official noted that President Donald Trump would decide within two weeks “whether or not to go” ahead with possible U.S. intervention, leaving open the prospect of renewed nuclear discussions with Tehran in the near future.
Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araqchi insisted there would be no negotiations involving Washington, “until Israeli aggression stops”.
Nevertheless, Araqchi was expected to hold a meeting with European foreign ministers later on Friday in Geneva, where Western leaders aim to reopen dialogue about Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Two officials familiar with the planned talks, involving France, Germany, Britain, and the EU’s foreign affairs chief, said Araqchi would be told the United States remains willing to engage directly. Hopes for real progress, however, remain slim.
Israel launched its military campaign against Iran the previous Friday, arguing that Iran was nearing the ability to produce nuclear weapons. Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is solely for civilian purposes. In response, Iran has carried out missile and drone attacks against Israeli targets.
It is widely believed that Israel possesses nuclear weapons, though it neither confirms nor denies this capability.
According to a U.S.-based human rights monitoring group, Israeli strikes in Iran have left 639 people dead, including military leaders and nuclear experts.
Meanwhile, Israeli sources claim that at least two dozen civilians in Israel have lost their lives as a result of Iranian missile barrages.
Exact casualty figures from recent attacks are still unclear, and reports from both sides could not be independently confirmed.
While both countries claim to target only military installations, civilian areas have also been struck, with each accusing the other of damaging medical facilities.
A report from within Iran mentioned that a drone hit an apartment block in central Tehran on Friday, but offered no further information.
Experts believe that Israel’s bombardment of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure has, so far, posed minimal risk of radioactive contamination. But they warn that any assault on the nuclear power station at Bushehr could trigger a severe nuclear incident.
Israel has vowed to dismantle Iran’s nuclear programme but insists it wants to prevent a nuclear accident in a region home to millions and vital to global energy supplies.
Diplomatic discussions were scheduled to begin Friday afternoon in Geneva—the same city where the first agreement on limiting Iran’s nuclear activity was reached in 2013, followed by a wider deal in 2015.
The United States exited that agreement in 2018. More recent talks between Iran and Washington fell apart after Israel initiated Operation Rising Lion on June 12, targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure.
Since then, President Trump has alternated between issuing threats and expressing a desire for Iran to resume nuclear discussions. His regional envoy, Steve Witkoff, has reportedly spoken with Araqchi multiple times over the past week.
Tensions have remained high across the Middle East since the October 2023 Hamas attack, which ignited the Gaza conflict. Israel has since engaged Iranian-backed groups on various fronts.
On Friday, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz warned of additional action against Hezbollah following the group’s statement suggesting support for Iran.
Western and regional observers suggest that Israel is aiming to destabilize the regime of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Thursday, “the downfall of the regime … may be a result, but it’s up to the Iranian people to rise for their freedom.”
Some opposition figures in Iran believe that their opportunity for change may be approaching. Yet activists involved in earlier protests say that public demonstrations are unlikely as fear grips the population under current wartime conditions.
“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.
