Iran rules out nuclear talks as Israeli attacks continue

Tehran says negotiations possible only after hostilities end; Israeli strikes target nuclear and missile sites 

TEHRAN, Iran (MNTV) — Iran has ruled out resuming nuclear negotiations with the United States or Europe while until Israel stops attacking it.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the statement Friday during a meeting with European diplomats in Geneva, according to BBC.

Araghchi reiterated that Iran’s nuclear programme remains peaceful and said that diplomatic efforts would resume only when Israeli “aggression” ceases.

“I make it crystal clear that Iran’s defence capabilities are non-negotiable,” Araghchi said, insisting Tehran would continue exercising its “legitimate right of self-defence” under international law.

His comments came hours after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Israel was prepared for a “prolonged campaign” against Iran.

On Friday night, Israeli forces carried out a new barrage of strikes targeting Iranian missile storage and launch sites.

Explosions were reported in central Israel, with air defence systems intercepting several incoming missiles over Tel Aviv. Local media reported that falling debris set a building ablaze, though there were no immediate reports of civilian casualties in the city.

In Iran, state media confirmed that a 16-year-old was killed and two others injured in an Israeli strike on the city of Qom. Israeli warplanes also reportedly attacked facilities near the nuclear site in Isfahan.

Meanwhile, Iran launched a series of retaliatory ballistic missile attacks targeting Israeli military positions, including a reported salvo of 20 missiles toward the city of Haifa.

In an interview with German newspaper Bild, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar claimed Israel’s strikes had set back Iran’s nuclear capabilities by at least two years and vowed continued operations.

Israel has killed hundreds of Iranians since June 13 in attacks it named “Operation Rising Lion”. Human Rights Activists News Agency putts the unofficial death toll at 657.

President Donald Trump has warned Iran it has a “maximum” of two weeks to change course before facing possible US military action.

He added that diplomacy remained an option but reiterated his demand for Iran’s unconditional halt to uranium enrichment and missile development.

“I’m giving them a period of time, and I would say two weeks would be the maximum,” Trump told reporters, expressing skepticism about Europe’s role in brokering peace. “Iran doesn’t want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us.”

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the current window as “perilous and deadly serious,” while France’s Jean-Noel Barrot said there could be “no definitive solution through military means” and warned against seeking regime change in Tehran.