Iran has made it clear that it will not return to nuclear negotiations while Israeli attacks continue. This statement came just hours after Israel’s defence minister warned that the country could face a “prolonged” conflict with Iran.

Missile Exchanges Continue Between Iran and Israel

Heavy fighting broke out on Friday. Iran launched several missiles at northern Israel, while Israeli forces responded by bombing multiple targets inside Iran.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Eyal Zamir addressed the nation in a video, saying, “We must be ready for a prolonged campaign” and that there could be “difficult days ahead.”

Iran Open to Talks Only If Attacks End

In Geneva, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with European diplomats. They urged him to reopen diplomatic channels with the United States regarding Iran’s nuclear program. However, Araghchi firmly responded that Iran would only consider talks once Israeli “aggression is stopped.”

He said Iran’s nuclear efforts were peaceful and insisted that Israeli air strikes violated international law. “Iran will continue to exercise its legitimate right of self-defence,” he said. He added, “I make it crystal clear that Iran’s defence capabilities are non-negotiable.”

US and Israel Take a Tough Stand

Meanwhile, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations accused Iran of having a “genocidal agenda.” He said Iran remains a threat and that Israel would keep attacking nuclear facilities until they are “dismantled.”

US President Donald Trump also raised tensions. He warned Iran it has a maximum of two weeks to avoid possible American air strikes. “I’m giving them a period of time, and I would say two weeks would be the maximum,” Trump said on Thursday. “We want to see whether or not people come to their senses.”

Trump also dismissed the ongoing European diplomatic efforts. “Iran doesn’t want to speak to Europe,” he said. “They want to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help in this.”

European Leaders Urge Dialogue, Oppose Military Action

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy acknowledged that the US had offered only a “short window of time” to resolve the crisis. He called the situation “perilous and deadly serious.”

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot added that European leaders had asked Iran to consider talks with all parties, including the US, even while strikes were ongoing. Barrot warned, “There can be no definitive solution through military means to the Iran nuclear problem.” He also cautioned against trying to force regime change in Iran, calling it “dangerous.”

Rising Death Toll and Ongoing Attacks

The conflict intensified on Friday as Iran fired 20 missiles at the Israeli city of Haifa. The Israeli military confirmed the attack and reported one woman died from a heart attack. This raised the total number of Israeli deaths in the conflict to 25.

In response, Israel said it targeted ballistic missile storage and launch sites in western Iran. Over the past week, Israeli strikes have damaged key Iranian military and weapons sites, and also killed top Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists.

Iran’s health ministry reported on Sunday that at least 224 people had died. However, a human rights group estimated a much higher, unofficial death toll of 639 by Thursday.

Iran has answered back with hundreds of ballistic missiles targeting Israeli areas in retaliation for the air strikes.