Talks aimed at de-escalating the conflict between Israel and Iran have failed to yield a diplomatic breakthrough, as the war enters its second week with continued exchanges of strikes.
European ministers met with Iran’s lead diplomat for four hours in Geneva on Friday. This occurred as President Trump considers potential US military intervention, and concerns grow regarding possible attacks on nuclear facilities.
European officials expressed optimism for future negotiations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated his openness to further dialogue; however, he stressed that Tehran is unwilling to negotiate with the US while Israeli attacks persist.
“Iran is ready to consider diplomacy if aggression ceases and the aggressor is held accountable for its committed crimes,” he told reporters.
No future meeting date was established.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that Israel’s military operations in Iran will continue “for as long as it takes” to neutralize what he described as the existential threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program and ballistic missile arsenal.
A top Israeli general echoed this sentiment, stating the military’s readiness “for a prolonged campaign.”
However, Netanyahu’s objectives may be unattainable without US assistance. Iran’s underground Fordo uranium enrichment facility is considered impenetrable to all but America’s specialized “bunker-buster” bombs.
President Trump announced a delay of up to two weeks in deciding whether to join Israel’s air campaign against Iran.
The war commenced on June 13, with Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military installations, high-ranking generals, and nuclear scientists.
According to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group, at least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran, with over 2,000 injured.
Iran has responded by launching an estimated 450 missiles and 1,000 drones towards Israel, according to Israeli military estimates. While the majority have been intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems, at least 24 Israelis have been killed and hundreds wounded.
On Saturday, Israel’s defense minister announced the killing of a commander within Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, who allegedly financed and armed Hamas in preparation for the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. That attack triggered the 20-month Gaza war.
Israel identified the commander as Saeed Izadi, head of the Palestine Corps within the Iranian Quds Force, an elite branch responsible for military and intelligence operations abroad. He was reportedly killed in an apartment in Qom.
