Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced on Friday that Tehran would consider returning to diplomatic negotiations only after Israeli attacks on the country cease and Israel is held responsible for its actions. This declaration came after discussions in Geneva with European officials regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
“Iran is ready to consider diplomacy once again and once the aggression is stopped and the aggressor is held accountable for the crimes committed… We support the continuation of discussion with Britain, France, Germany and the European Union and express our readiness to meet again in the near future,” Araghchi told journalists after the talks, which were held at a hotel in Geneva.
The Geneva meeting included representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the European Union, who collectively encouraged Iran to stay engaged in diplomatic efforts to resolve the nuclear impasse, especially in light of ongoing Israeli military actions. These European powers underscored the importance of involving the United States in any viable long-term solution.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, speaking on behalf of the European group, noted that Iran had expressed openness to continuing the dialogue. “The good result today is that we leave the room with the impression that the Iranian side is ready to further discuss all the important questions,” he said. Emphasizing the need for broader international involvement, he added, “It is of great importance that the United States takes part in these negotiations and the solution.”
Although no major breakthrough was reached during the Geneva meeting, the joint statement delivered by the top diplomats from the four entities suggested cautious optimism. The statement, read in their respective native languages, emphasized the importance of sustaining discussions but did not indicate any substantial progress had been made during the session.
While diplomatic discussions unfolded in Geneva, the conflict on the ground continued to escalate. The Israeli military confirmed it had launched a new series of airstrikes targeting Iranian missile launchers in the southwestern region of Iran. This marked a continuation of Israel’s offensive campaign, which it claims is intended to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
The cycle of violence intensified further when Iranian forces retaliated by launching another wave of missile attacks. According to local officials, at least 19 individuals were wounded in the Israeli port city of Haifa during the missile strike on Friday afternoon. The situation on the ground reflects a rapidly deteriorating security environment, which poses risks not just to Israel and Iran but to the broader Middle East region.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy acknowledged the severity of the situation and urged all parties to avoid escalation. “This is a perilous moment, and it is hugely important that we don’t see regional escalation of this conflict,” he said, reinforcing the call for restraint.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also voiced concern, cautioning that a military solution would not resolve the crisis. “There can be no definitive solution through military means to the Iran nuclear problem. Military operations can delay it but they cannot eliminate it,” he said. Barrot also responded to provocative statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who refused to rule out the possibility of targeting Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Barrot stated, “It is illusory and dangerous to want to impose a regime change from the outside. It is up to the people to decide their own destiny.”
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, echoed these concerns and stressed the importance of ongoing dialogue. “Today the regional escalation benefits no-one. We must keep the discussions open,” she said, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to maintaining communication channels.
Earlier in the day, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported that Iran remained committed to dialogue and had not abandoned the negotiation process. According to the report, the Iranian delegation “emphasised that Iran has not left the negotiating table,” signaling Tehran’s intention to remain involved in diplomatic initiatives, albeit conditionally.
The recent series of events marks the latest chapter in a long-standing and complex conflict between Iran and Israel. The Israeli government initiated its military operation one week ago, declaring its objective was to stop Iran from acquiring an atomic bomb. Since then, tensions have escalated rapidly, drawing in international concern and diplomatic interventions.
The Geneva talks were aimed at averting a wider conflict and restoring some semblance of diplomatic momentum to the nuclear discussions. However, the current conditions—defined by military escalation, inflammatory rhetoric, and widespread uncertainty—pose significant challenges to achieving a sustainable resolution. As European diplomats attempt to mediate between the involved parties, the overarching message remains consistent: diplomacy is essential, but its success depends on the cessation of hostilities and the willingness of all sides, including the United States and Israel, to return to the table.
Though the immediate future of negotiations remains unclear, the Geneva discussions signal a glimmer of hope that diplomacy may yet offer a path forward—provided that military aggression subsides and accountability is pursued.