Iran has categorically stated that it will not engage in discussions on its nuclear program until Israel ceases its military assaults, intensifying a conflict that has rapidly spiraled into a regional crisis. The announcement comes shortly after Israel’s defense minister warned of a prolonged confrontation with Tehran, signaling the possibility of an extended military confrontation.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with European diplomats in Geneva on Friday, where he reiterated Iran’s stance that diplomatic negotiations are off the table until Israeli aggression halts. While Western diplomats pressed for renewed talks with Tehran regarding its nuclear ambitions, Araghchi emphasized that Iran’s nuclear activities remain peaceful and condemned Israel’s strikes as violations of international law. He underscored that Iran reserves the right to “exercise its legitimate right of self-defense” and declared Iran’s defensive capabilities non-negotiable.

The escalation follows a night of fierce fighting. The Israeli military announced a new wave of targeted strikes against Iranian missile storage and launch sites, retaliating after Iran launched a barrage of missiles toward central Israel. Explosions reverberated through Tel Aviv’s vicinity, with missile interceptions visible over the city, which remains on edge. Reports of shrapnel-caused fires and damage in central Israel have further heightened fears of a wider conflict.

Adding to the mounting toll of the violence, early Saturday reports detailed a tragic Israeli civilian death— a 16-year-old was killed, and two others were injured in an Israeli attack on the city of Qom, south of Tehran, according to Iranian state media. Meanwhile, Iran reports Israeli strikes targeted a nuclear facility in Isfahan, amidst ongoing accusations of military provocations.

Iran’s Foreign Minister emphasized that diplomacy would only be considered once Israel ceases its “aggression,” reiterating Iran’s insistence that its nuclear program remains peaceful. “I make it crystal clear that Iran’s defense capabilities are non-negotiable,” Araghchi declared and announced his participation in another diplomatic round in Istanbul over the weekend with representatives from the Arab League.

International condemnations have been swift and severe. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations accused Iran of harboring a “genocidal agenda” and maintained that the Jewish state would persist in targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities until they are fully dismantled. In a separate interview published Saturday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar claimed that recent Israeli strikes have set back Iran’s nuclear capabilities by at least two years, asserting that military operations would continue unabated.

Across the Atlantic, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning, giving Iran a “maximum” of two weeks to avoid potential American air strikes. Speaking to reporters, Trump suggested that he might decide on action before the expiration of the 14-day deadline he imposed, aiming, he said, to “see whether or not people come to their senses.”

Trump dismissed European efforts and talks in Geneva, asserting that “Iran doesn’t want to speak to Europe,” and emphasizing that negotiations are only meaningful with the United States. Conversely, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the crisis as “perilous and deadly serious,” while French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot urged Iran to consider negotiations with all parties, warning against military solutions and regime change policies, which he termed “dangerous.”

On the ground, Israel reported another Iranian strike Friday, with approximately 20 missiles targeting the northern port city of Haifa. The offensive resulted in the death of an Israeli woman from a heart attack, bringing the total Israeli civilian death toll since the conflict erupted to 25.

In response, the Israel Defense Forces announced a series of strikes against Iranian military targets, including ballistic missile storage and launch sites inside Iran. Over the past week, Israel claims to have destroyed multiple Iranian military facilities, killed senior commanders, and targeted nuclear scientists.

Iran’s health ministry reports that at least 224 people have been killed amid the ongoing clashes, a figure rejected as conservative by the Human Rights Activists News Agency, which estimates the unofficial death toll at over 650. The conflict has been marked by an almost daily exchange of missile and drone attacks since Israel’s initial strikes in Iran on June 13.

As violence continues to escalate, the region stands at a perilous crossroads with diplomatic efforts fading and military actions intensifying, raising fears of a wider regional war that threatens to destabilize the Middle East further.