DUBAI — The second week of the Israel-Iran war started with a renewed round of strikes despite talks between European ministers and Iran´s top diplomat.
The talks, which aimed at de-escalating the fighting between the two adversaries, lasted for four hours in Geneva, but failed to produce a breakthrough. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump continued to weigh his country’s military involvement and concerns spiked over potential strikes on nuclear reactors.
Still, European officials expressed hope for future negotiations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he was open to further dialogue but stressed Tehran wasn’t interested in negotiating with the US while Israel continued attacking.
European ministers and Iran’s top diplomat met for four hours Friday in Geneva, as President Donald Trump continued to weigh US military involvement and worries rose over potential strikes on nuclear reactors.
European officials expressed hope for future negotiations, and Araghchi said he was open to further dialogue while emphasizing that Tehran had no interest in negotiating with the US while Israel continued attacking.
“Iran is ready to consider diplomacy if aggression ceases and the aggressor is held accountable for its committed crimes,” he told reporters.
On the sidelines of a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul Saturday, Araghchi told the AP that it “would be very unfortunate” if the US were to become actively engaged militarily in the war.
“I think that it would be very, very dangerous for everyone,” he said.
No date has been set for the next round of talks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel´s military operation in Iran would continue “for as long as it takes” to eliminate what he called the existential threat of Iran´s nuclear program and arsenal of ballistic missiles. Israel´s top general echoed the warning, saying the Israeli military was ready “for a prolonged campaign.”
But Netanyahu’s goal could be out of reach without US help. Iran´s underground Fordo uranium enrichment facility is considered to be out of reach to all but America´s “bunker-buster” bombs. Trump said he would put off deciding whether to join Israel´s air campaign against Iran for up to two weeks.
The war between Israel and Iran erupted June 13, with Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists.
At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 2,000 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group.
Iran has retaliated by firing 450 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel, according to Israeli army estimates. Most have been shot down by Israel´s multitiered air defenses, but at least 24 people in Israel have been killed and hundreds wounded.
