DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The anticipated sixth round of U.S.-Iran talks concerning Tehran’s advancing nuclear program has been postponed, according to Oman’s foreign minister, Badr al-Busaidi. He announced on social media that the talks, set for Sunday, will no longer take place, emphasizing that ‘diplomacy and dialogue remain the only pathway to lasting peace.’ Despite the cancellation, a senior U.S. official expressed hope that Iran will return to the negotiating table soon.
This abrupt halt to diplomacy comes amid escalating military action, as Israel has conducted extensive strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities. The exchange of hostilities has left Iran’s leadership grappling with whether to escalate the conflict or pursue negotiations with Israel, which possesses a formidable military advantage.
World leaders have urgently called for de-escalation and avoidance of an all-out war in the region, with China’s foreign minister labeling the Israeli attacks as a “dangerous precedent.” The prolonged conflict has already seen Israel intensifying its efforts against Iranian-backed militant group Hamas in Gaza, following nearly two years of hostilities.
Israeli officials have reported intensive bombing campaigns in Iran, stating that recent strikes have resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking military figures and numerous scientists linked to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. According to Iran’s U.N. ambassador, these strikes claimed the lives of 78 individuals and left over 320 injured.
In retaliation, Iran has unleashed waves of drones and ballistic missiles aimed at Israel, lighting up the skies over major cities like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. As a result of these Iranian missile strikes, Israeli officials reported three fatalities and more than 170 injuries.
Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning, stating, ‘If (Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali) Khamenei continues to fire missiles at the Israeli home front — Tehran will burn.’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s commitment to dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities, suggesting that the current strikes are merely a precursor to more severe actions to come.
In a marked escalation, Iranian news agencies also reported that an Israeli drone had targeted an Iranian natural-gas processing plant, potentially representing a shift in Israel’s strategy by attacking vital segments of Iran’s energy infrastructure. The extent of the damage at the South Pars natural gas field remains unclear.
Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. However, recent escalations in uranium enrichment have raised alarms, particularly as the U.N. atomic watchdog criticized Iran for failing to comply with regulations designed to prevent it from developing nuclear weapon capabilities.
In light of these military actions, Iran’s foreign minister termed the idea of continuing nuclear talks as ‘unjustifiable,’ blaming the strikes on direct support from Washington. In a statement delivered to the state-run IRNA news agency, Abbas Araghchi emphasized the impact of Israeli aggression on any potential diplomatic progress.
President Donald Trump urged Iran to reach a deal with the United States concerning its nuclear program, asserting that ‘Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left.’
Iran’s military response included missile attacks targeting various locations in Israel late Friday and early Saturday. The repercussions were clearly seen on state television, which displayed images of celebrations among the Iranian populace in response to their strikes, highlighting a society motivated by nationalist sentiments.
The Israeli military reported that the Iranian missile attacks resulted in three casualties and wounded over 170 individuals, with two people in serious condition. The military has been on heightened alert as these strikes marked the first occasion Israeli forces have encountered military casualties since launching their offensive on Iran.
Support from U.S. ground-based air defense systems played a crucial role in intercepting Iranian missiles aimed at Israel, according to a U.S. official who requested anonymity. In the aftermath of the attacks, images from areas like Ramat Gan showed significant damage, with burned vehicles and destruction to several houses.
Israel’s international airport remains closed indefinitely as precautionary measures against further strikes. Eyewitness accounts from struck areas indicate severe devastation, as residents expressed disbelief at the magnitude of the explosions that rocked their neighborhoods.
Israeli military officials detailed their extensive campaign, with Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin revealing that over the past two days, they have attacked more than 400 targets across Iran, including a substantial number in Tehran. Defrin described these operations as unprecedented, noting that Israel’s air force operated with considerable freedom across Iranian airspace.
He reported that strikes targeted over 40 missile-related installations and advanced air defense systems throughout the country. Reports from Iranian officials suggested that a governor in Eastern Azerbaijan province acknowledged losses among their military forces, confirming recent casualties.
Throughout central Tehran, residents reported hearing explosions and spotting air defense systems activating against potential Israeli attacks. State media indicated fires in key areas, with the Mehrabad International Airport’s activities impacted as a result.
Significantly, Israeli forces targeted the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, with satellite imagery revealing extensive destruction. U.N. nuclear chief Rafael Grossi informed the Security Council that significant sections of the above-ground infrastructure were devastated, jeopardizing the facility’s operations.
Despite assurances that the primary underground centrifuge facility remains intact, the damages may hinder Iran’s nuclear progress for quite some time. A senior Israeli military official indicated that repairs to both the Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites could require considerably more than a few weeks.
In the wake of these strikes, Netanyahu emphasized that the military operation had been prepared for months, originally scheduled for April before being delayed.
Among the casualties reported were three of Iran’s principal military leaders, including General Mohammad Bagheri, who directed armed forces, General Hossein Salami, head of the Revolutionary Guard, and General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of the aerospace division overseeing Iran’s missile program. Following these losses, Khamenei appointed a new leader for the Guard’s aerospace division, General Majid Mousavi, highlighting the ever-shifting dynamics within Iran’s military hierarchy.
The unfolding crisis sees both Iran and Israel poised for further confrontations, creating a precarious atmosphere where diplomatic solutions appear increasingly distant.
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