Geneva hosts talks on Iran-Israel conflict

According to AP, Araghchi met with foreign ministers from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, along with the European Union’s foreign policy chief, at a hotel in the Swiss city. The gathering marks the first direct engagement between Iranian and Western officials since the Israel-Iran conflict erupted last week.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Araghchi stated that Iran has “nothing to discuss” with the United States as long as Israeli strikes on Iranian targets continue. However, he signaled openness to “dialogue” with European nations, while ruling out negotiations at this stage.

The ongoing hostilities have seen Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities, with Iran retaliating in turn.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that “a window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution.” Lammy arrived in Geneva following high-level discussions in Washington with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.

Meanwhile, President Trump is reportedly considering whether to authorise a direct US military strike on Iran, specifically targeting the fortified Fordo uranium enrichment facility. The underground site is heavily protected and is believed to be accessible only to US “bunker-buster” bombs.

Trump said Wednesday that he would decide within two weeks whether the US military will become directly involved in the conflict, citing a “substantial chance” for renewed nuclear negotiations.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders would present Iran with a “comprehensive, diplomatic and technical offer of negotiation” aimed at defusing the crisis.

Israel has defended its ongoing air campaign as a necessary measure to prevent Iran from moving closer to developing a nuclear weapon. The conflict comes as earlier US-Iran negotiations on a possible new diplomatic deal appeared to stall. Trump has said the Israeli offensive followed a 60-day deadline he had set for progress in talks with Tehran, reports UNB.