DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The anticipated round of U.S.-Iran talks regarding Tehran’s advancing nuclear program has been postponed, as announced by Oman’s foreign minister, Badr al-Busaidi, on Saturday.
This development comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, which saw a significant exchange of military actions following Israel’s recent targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites.
Israel’s extensive military operations, described as “widespread strikes” across Tehran and beyond, have placed Iran’s leadership in a precarious position, forcing them to consider whether to escalate the conflict or pursue diplomatic channels.
Al-Busaidi emphasized on social media that while the sixth round of indirect nuclear talks initially scheduled for Sunday would not proceed as planned, “diplomacy and dialogue remain the only pathway to lasting peace.”
Despite the talks being off for now, a senior U.S. official expressed hope for a prompt resumption of discussions, urging Iran to engage constructively.
Tensions heightened further as both nations indicated their intention for continued military action, disregarding urgent calls from global leaders for de-escalation to prevent a full-scale conflict.
China’s foreign minister described the attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities as setting a “dangerous precedent.”
The regional climate is already fraught, with Israel aiming to root out the Iranian-backed militant group Hamas in Gaza after an extended period of conflict.
Israel, believed to be the only nation in the Middle East with nuclear capabilities, reported that its recent strikes have resulted in the deaths of multiple high-ranking Iranian officials, including top generals and scientists linked to Iran’s nuclear initiatives.
According to Iran’s U.N. ambassador, the assault has claimed at least 78 lives and left over 320 individuals injured.
In retaliation, Iran has launched numerous drones and ballistic missiles toward Israel, resulting in explosions over cities like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Israeli authorities reported three fatalities and more than 170 injuries from these retaliatory strikes.
Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that should Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei persist with missile attacks on Israel, “Tehran will burn.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose administration prioritizes the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, remarked that the current Israeli operations are only a fraction of the force Iran will soon feel.
In a potential escalation, Iranian media reported an Israeli drone strike that caused significant damage at a natural gas processing facility in Iran, marking a notable strike against Iran’s energy sector.
While the full extent of damages at the South Pars natural gas field wasn’t immediately known, such facilities are usually protected by air defense systems, which have been targeted during Israeli operations.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, despite U.S. intelligence assessments that Tehran is not actively developing a nuclear weapon.
However, Iran’s uranium enrichment levels have approached weapons-grade, prompting the U.N.’s atomic energy oversight to reprimand Iran for failing to comply with critical non-proliferation frameworks.
Reacting to the strikes, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi denounced the nuclear negotiations as “unjustifiable” following the bombings, asserting that they were enabled by U.S. support.
Araghchi’s statements were made during a conversation with Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s chief diplomat.
President Donald Trump has encouraged Iran to negotiate a nuclear agreement with the U.S., insisting that “Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left.”
Amidst this turmoil, as Iran retaliated with missile strikes aimed at Israel, reports indicated the assistance of U.S. missile defenses in intercepting these attacks.
The bombardment resulted in casualties on the Israeli side, undermining the earlier period of relative quiet.
Witness accounts in Ramat Gan, a city near Tel Aviv, depicted the aftermath of the missile strikes, with damaged buildings and vehicles amid a scene of chaos.
Israel’s primary airport has announced it will remain closed for the foreseeable future due to ongoing threats.
The Israeli military reiterated its continued assaults, claiming to have targeted over 400 locations across Iran, including in Tehran, that housed missile-related infrastructure.
Israel’s army spokesman stated that these actions represented the most extensive offensive conducted by the air force within Iranian territory.
While official communications indicated successful strikes on various military targets, including critical facilities related to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, concerns linger over potential further escalations.
A provincial governor in Eastern Azerbaijan disclosed that recent attacks resulted in 30 military casualties, revealing the stark realities of the ongoing military engagements.
Footage from Iranian state television showed the damage from aerial assaults, as air defenses were activated across various cities in Iran.
Reported explosions echoed throughout Tehran, and a fire was confirmed at Mehrabad International Airport amid the night.
Israeli strikes targeted Iran’s significant nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz, with satellite images verifying substantial destruction in the affected areas.
U.N. nuclear chief Rafael Grossi informed the Security Council about the devastation reportedly inflicted upon Natanz, further complicating Iran’s nuclear potential.
Although the primary underground centrifuge facility appeared intact, damages to infrastructure may hinder operations for an extended period, as Israeli military assessments suggest it may take significantly longer than just weeks to restore functionality at the impacted sites.
Israel further claimed success in its attack on the nuclear research facility in Isfahan, with multiple sensors and targeting systems reportedly compromised.
The International Atomic Energy Agency disclosed that multiple essential buildings were impacted at the Isfahan facility, although they reported no significant radiation risk from the damage.
While Israel has denied attacking the Fordo nuclear site, Iranian media indicated that explosions were recorded in the vicinity, potentially marking a shift in the scope of military engagements.
This offensive was reportedly planned prior, delayed from April, demonstrating a calculated approach by the Israeli government.
Among those who lost their lives in this ongoing conflict include prominent leaders within Iran’s military structure, underscoring the potential ramifications of this confrontation.
As the conflict develops, both nations remain on high alert, grappling with the implications of their escalating military operations and the potential future of diplomatic engagements.
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