In a significant diplomatic move, the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, Germany, and France are planning to meet Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday in Geneva. This meeting is being seen as a potential turning point as conflict intensifies in the Middle East.
However, Iran has not yet officially confirmed its participation. If the meeting happens, it could be viewed as a diplomatic counter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who ordered military strikes on Iran just last week.
Iran Engages Europe, Rejects US Involvement
Earlier this week, Araghchi spoke with the three European foreign ministers over the phone. But he turned down a meeting with Steve Witkoff, the US President’s Middle East Envoy. Araghchi suggested that Washington was behind Israel’s recent actions.
He said, “Iran has proven in action what it has always publicly committed itself to: we have never sought and will never seek nuclear weapons.”
What to Expect from the Geneva Meeting
If the talks go ahead, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy is expected to travel to Washington first to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They will discuss the growing crisis in West Asia and coordinate approaches.
The main topic in Geneva will be Iran’s nuclear programme. The European trio, along with the US, hopes to persuade Iran to reduce or shut down parts of its nuclear development.
Meanwhile, France, Germany, and the UK have called for diplomatic solutions rather than conflict. They have avoided backing Israeli military actions directly, although they have acknowledged Israel’s right to self-defense under international law.
Israel Thanks Trump for Military Support
As tensions rise, Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for supporting Israel’s defense efforts.
“I want to thank President Trump, a great friend of the state of Israel,” Netanyahu said in a televised address.
“I thank him for being at our side, and I thank him for the support of the United States in defending Israel’s skies.”
Though the US has not directly joined Israel’s military operations, it has supplied advanced defense systems and missile technology. Reports say US military assets, including a Navy destroyer, helped intercept Iranian ballistic missiles during the latest attacks.
Putin Offers Diplomatic Proposal
In a separate development, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the situation delicate but said he believes a solution is possible. Speaking to AFP, he said Russia had shared a proposal with Iran, Israel, and the US.
“This is a delicate issue, and of course we need to be very careful here, but in my opinion, a solution can be found,” Putin said.
The Associated Press quoted him saying, “We are not imposing anything on anyone, we are simply talking about how we see a possible way out of the situation. But the decision, of course, is up to the political leadership of all these countries, primarily Iran and Israel.”