Diplomatic Dialogue Off the Table
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated in a televised interview on Thursday that Iran does not plan to initiate talks with the US next week regarding nuclear issues, contradicting recent remarks made by President Donald Trump calling for negotiations (reuters.com +9)
He indicated that reports regarding new negotiations should not be taken seriously and “should not be taken as facts”.
This response followed a 12-day conflict which started with Israeli strikes against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, followed by coordinated airstrikes by both US and Israeli aircraft on June 22 under Operation Midnight Hammer against Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan under “Operation Midnight Hammer.”
Iran Has Charges of Exaggeration
Iranian officials have heavily criticized the US for exaggerating both the extent and severity of damage. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei termed American claims as “absurd nonsense,” dismissing attacks as mostly superficial
indiatoday.in
Wsj.com + The Guardian Plus 4
He made claims contrary to US assertions, asserting that rebuilding of facilities could take weeks or months (theguardian.com +15). For more details on this story, visit timesofindia.indiatimes.com +15 and timesofindia.indiatimes.com+15
Iran’s parliament recently passed legislation to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), underscoring Tehran’s distrust of international oversight while closing off diplomatic engagement – The Guardian reports. For more, go here.
US Officials Recant Iran’s Narrative
United States officials reject Iran’s counterclaims about US strikes. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth presented satellite images and blast data to defend them and prove key nuclear infrastructure was indeed hit by the strikes (apnews.com +4ot theguardian.com+4 = timesofindia.indiatimes.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com +4) (AP News + 4 and The Guardian + 4 respectively).
Intelligence reports offer various assessments, from months-old delays to multi-year setbacks; US officials contend there was significant damage done. (theguardian.com)
President Trump declared the strikes a success for all, with several critical enrichment sites completely destroyed and plans announced for talks to resume with Iran next week, according to news agencies and Wikipedia entries.
European diplomats are scrambling to salvage what remains of an effective diplomatic track. Military escalation coupled with Iran’s refusal to negotiate until all strikes end has left European diplomats reeling; leaving “hopes for renewed nuclear diplomacy in tatters”. timesofindia.indiatimes.com +3 (Times Of India/Reuters 3) as well as economictimes.indiatimes com (Economic Times/ Reuter) scrambling.
Analysts warn of Iran’s withdrawal from IAEA cooperation as being particularly consequential, since independent verification of claims–both damage-related and restraint related–would become impossible, further undermining credibility for any negotiations to come.
What to Expect
Iran’s refusal to negotiate while under fire and its increasing nuclear opacity have created a diplomatic standstill. President Trump set an engagement window of two weeks; however, Iran refused this deadline and refused to engage.
Europe remains the main voice calling for restraint. French and British diplomats are encouraging both Washington and Tehran to resume direct negotiations through intermediary channels; French officials warn that military escalation could spark further conflict.
Iran, however, has pledged to suspend IAEA activity and is exploring legal routes for compensation – further straining an already tenuous stalemate.
At present, both sides appear entrenched: Washington is pressing Iran for an immediate stop to enrichment activities while Iran maintains that diplomacy cannot proceed while they remain under military assault. With mutual distrust running high between them both, any negotiations on nuclear matters remain distant – placing regional stability at stake.