Iran Rejects Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Israeli Attacks

DUBAI/JERUSALEM - Iran has firmly stated that it will not engage in discussions about its nuclear program while facing military aggression from Israel. This announcement comes after a week of intensified Israeli airstrikes targeting various military installations in Iran, including facilities allegedly linked to missile production and nuclear weapons development.

As part of its ongoing military campaign, Israel reported that it had struck several military targets overnight, including missile production sites and research institutions in the Tehran region, as well as military complexes in western and central Iran. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that they also targeted surface-to-air missile batteries in southwestern Iran, aiming to establish air superiority.

Casualties from these strikes include at least five injuries reported when an Israeli airstrike hit a five-story building in Tehran, which housed a bakery and a hair salon, according to Fars news agency.

In response, Iran launched missile attacks on Israeli cities, including Beersheba, and there were reports of missile impacts in Tel Aviv, the Negev region, and Haifa. An Israeli military official indicated that around 20 missiles were fired during the latest Iranian strikes, resulting in at least two injuries in Israel.

In light of the escalating conflict, Rafael Grossi, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), addressed the U.N. Security Council, warning against military attacks on nuclear facilities. He emphasized that such actions could lead to significant radioactive releases, impacting not only the aggressor but also neighboring states.

In a conflicting statement, an Israeli military spokesperson referred to an earlier claim about an attack on Bushehr, Iran's nuclear power plant, calling it a mistake. The Israeli military neither confirmed nor denied any attacks on the facility, while Iran reported that its air defenses were activated in the area.

Israel remains committed to neutralizing Iran's nuclear capabilities but has expressed a desire to avoid any potential nuclear disaster. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel could escalate uncontrollably and urged all involved parties to seek peaceful resolutions.

The White House has indicated that President Donald Trump will make a decision regarding U.S. involvement in the conflict in the upcoming weeks. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that negotiations with the U.S. cannot proceed until the attacks from Israel cease. However, he arrived in Geneva for discussions with European foreign ministers, aiming to revive diplomatic efforts regarding Iran's nuclear program.

Despite the grim outlook, a senior Iranian official affirmed that Iran is open to discussing limits on uranium enrichment, although any proposals for complete cessation of enrichment would be rejected, especially under current circumstances. The Israeli military has reported that strikes have led to numerous casualties in Iran, including the deaths of military leaders and nuclear scientists.

In Israel, the impact of Iranian missile strikes has also been deadly, with official reports stating that 24 civilians have lost their lives due to these attacks.

As tensions rise, Iranian opposition groups feel a sense of opportunity, yet activists who have previously participated in uprisings are hesitant to initiate mass protests while the nation is under military threat. Iranian state media characterized recent gatherings in various cities as demonstrations of solidarity and resistance against external aggression.