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Iran calls on Europe to condemn Israeli onslaught in joint call with European FMs

During the phone conversation, Araqchi condemned Israel’s “blatant aggression” against Iran, including strikes on peaceful nuclear facilities, economic infrastructure, military sites, and residential areas.

He said the attacks represented an “unprecedented blow to diplomacy” and called on European countries to acknowledge the reality and condemn the Israeli regime’s actions.

Araqchi stressed that Iran’s legitimate defense would continue firmly and warned that Israel and its supporters would bear full responsibility for any escalation.

He added that the war had clearly been launched against the Iranian people with American support, making the U.S. complicit in Israel’s crimes.

The top Iranian diplomat reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to diplomacy, saying the country has never left the negotiating table. However, he noted that the current priority is to deliver a forceful and deterrent response to the aggression.

The European ministers and the E.U. foreign policy chief expressed regret over the current situation and offered condolences for the loss of life, emphasizing the importance of diplomacy and their readiness to help de-escalate tensions.

Araqchi also held a phone conversation with his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani, and criticized the positions of certain European countries as well as their leniency toward the Israeli regime’s violations of international law.

The foreign minister emphasized that the Israeli regime had committed a clear act of military aggression against Iran and grossly violated fundamental principles of international law.

He stated the violation of Iran’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, attacks on nuclear facilities, assassination of military figures, and the killing of university professors and ordinary civilians constitute “unforgivable crimes.”

Araqchi stressed that, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, Iran is determined to exercise its right to legitimate self-defense.

Tajani, for his part, expressed regret over the deteriorating security situation in West Asia and voiced Italy’s readiness to help de-escalate tensions.

Pentagon chief orders “additional capabilities” to Middle East

Pentagon

“Protecting US forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in the region,” Hegseth wrote on X.

It’s unclear what the additional capabilities include.

CNN reported earlier on Monday that the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, which was planned to rotate into the region and replace the USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, was cancelling a scheduled port call and moving to the Middle East “without delay.”

Israel launched a bombardment campaign against Iran on Friday, targeting military and nuclear sites as well as residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, killing dozens of people, including top military officials and nuclear scientists.

The assault came just days before US and Iranian negotiators were to meet for a sixth round of nuclear talks in Oman.

Iran has responded with hundreds of ballistic missiles, many of which have penetrated Israel’s air defences, causing widespread damage across the occupied territories.

Republican lawmaker pushes measure to block US involvement in Israeli war on Iran

Massie, who is fiercely opposed to US intervention in any foreign wars, wrote on X that he would introduce a bipartisan War Powers Resolution on Tuesday.

“This is not our war. But if it were, Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution,” Massie wrote on X. “I’m introducing a bipartisan War Powers Resolution tomorrow to prohibit our involvement. I invite all members of Congress to cosponsor this resolution.”

Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia on Monday introduced his own war powers resolution aimed at keeping US forces from involvement in Israel-Iran conflict. Kaine’s measure is considered privileged, a special status that means Kaine can force a vote on the measure on the Senate floor.

It’s unlikely that House Republican leaders would bring Massie’s resolution to the floor. When the Democratic-led House took up a similar measure aiming to rein in presidential authority to use military action against Iran without congressional approval in 2020, only a handful of Republicans supported it, including Massie.

Israel launched a bombardment campaign against Iran on Friday, targeting military and nuclear sites as well as residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, killing dozens of people, including top military officials and nuclear scientists.

The assault came just days before US and Iranian negotiators were to meet for a sixth round of nuclear talks in Oman.

Iran has responded with hundreds of ballistic missiles, many of which have penetrated Israel’s air defences, causing widespread damage across the occupied territories.

IRGC launches new wave of missile strikes in Operation True Promise 3

In a statement issued Tuesday, the IRGC reported that its Aerospace Force launched a powerful round of missile strikes targeting Israeli-occupied territories.

The force announced the missiles hit their intended targets despite Western backing and access to advanced defense technologies by Israel.

The IRGC emphasized the use of new operational tactics and technologies, stating that the strikes achieved “maximum success” in reaching their objectives.

The statement also warned that operations would continue against the “illegitimate regime” until its complete destruction, quoting a Quranic verse asserting that victory comes only from God.

Separately, Brigadier General Kioumars Heydari, commander of the Iranian Army’s Ground Force, said Iranian drones struck strategic targets in Tel Aviv and Haifa within the past 24 hours.

He described the UAVs as long-range, precision-capable, and possessing high destructive power.

FM: Israel sabotaging US-Iran nuclear talks by attacking Islamic Republic

“The purpose of Netanyahu’s criminal attack on Iran — killing hundreds of innocent civilians, including women and children — is to scuttle a DEAL between Iran and the US, which we were on the right path to achieve,” Araghchi said in a post on X on Monday.

However, Araghchi added if US President Donald Trump “is genuine about diplomacy and interested in stopping this war, next steps are consequential.” He said it “takes one phone call from Washington to muzzle someone like Netanyahu. That may pave the way for a return to diplomacy.”

Iran told Oman and Qatar that it will not be engaging in negotiations with the United States while Iranian cities “remain under attack” from Israel, and until Tehran’s response is complete, a regional diplomat told CNN earlier on Monday.

Since April, Iranian and American officials have held five rounds of indirect talks over Iran’s nuclear program. On Saturday, Oman’s foreign minister said the sixth-round of talks had been canceled.

G7 leaders call for resolution of Iran-Israel crisis in joint statement joined by Trump after earlier resistance

“We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza,” said the statement, which was attributed to the “G7 leaders.”

That is typically an indication all had signed on, and an official familiar with the matter said it was issued with Trump’s blessing.

Earlier Monday, officials stated Trump had indicated he did not intend to sign onto the draft statement, which was being organized by European leaders at the conference.

But after changing some of the language in the document — including calls for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis and upholding international law — Trump signed off, according to an official familiar with the matter.

It was released as Trump was departing the summit early to return to Washington, where he said he needed to monitor the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

The statement added the G7 leaders “reiterate our commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East.”

“In this context, we affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself. We reiterate our support for the security of Israel. We also affirm the importance of the protection of civilians. Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror. We have been consistently clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” the statement reads.

Trump directs his team to attempt meeting with Iranian officials as quickly as possible

Since Israel launched its first wave of missiles last week, the president has maintained publicly that Iran should come to the table to strike a deal with the United States, while privately urging his team to keep lines of communication open with the Iranians and Iranian intermediaries.

In conversations with European leaders at the G7 summit in Canada, Trump told his counterparts that discussions were underway to obtain a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, and signaled he wanted US officials to meet their Iranian counterparts this week.

A US official told CNN that while nothing was set, Israel and Iran were moving in the right direction.

Trump acknowledged that the Iranians had been in touch through intermediaries earlier Monday. Tehran has yet responded to the claim.

“I think Iran basically is at the negotiating table, they want to make a deal,” Trump stated, before his team announced he would depart Canada early to return to Washington to monitor the situation.

He was less candid about what his plans could be should those diplomatic efforts fall short, including whether he would deploy US military assets to join Israel in attempting to dismantle Iran’s nuclear facilities.

As of Monday evening, the White House insisted the US had not joined Israel in attacking Iran.

“American forces are maintaining their defensive posture, and that has not changed. We will defend American interests,” Alex Pfeiffer, a White House spokesman, wrote on X.

Iranian officials stressed that the Israeli onslaught against Iran with the help of the US has practically made the course of negotiations between Tehran and Washington meaningless.

Pezeshkian calls on US to restrain Israel or face Iran’s painful response

In a phone call with Oman’s King Haitham bin Tariq on Monday, President Pezeshkian stated that adversaries mistakenly believe they can assassinate Iranian military commanders, scientists, and civilians to undermine the nation. However, thanks to the guidance of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Iranian armed forces have retaliated swiftly against such aggressions. He cautioned that if these attacks continue, Tehran’s responses will escalate in intensity and impact.

Pezeshkian emphasized that enemies have misjudged Iran’s defensive capabilities and national unity, asserting that they do not truly understand the Iranian people. He noted that recent provocations have not fractured societal cohesion; rather, even critics of the government have come together to defend the nation.

Regarding Iran’s peaceful nuclear program and ongoing indirect negotiations with the US, he highlighted that the Islamic Republic engages in talks to foster trust and transparency concerning its nuclear activities. During these discussions, American mediators explicitly acknowledged their influence over the Zionist regime, asserting that it would not act against Iran without US approval. Pezeshkian asserted that the Zionist regime cannot commit such acts of aggression without the backing of the US.

The president reiterated that Iran has consistently advocated for dialogue rooted in justice, respect for national rights, and adherence to international principles. However, he stressed that negotiations conducted under threats, coercion, and aggression are unacceptable.

Pezeshkian also pointed to the recent unity among Muslim nations as a clear indicator of emerging global solidarity against the aggression of the Zionist regime. He expressed hope that this solidarity would contribute to the promotion of peace, justice, and human dignity in the region.

In response, the Sultan of Oman expressed condolences for the martyrdom of Iranian commanders, scientists, and citizens. He condemned the actions of the Zionist regime and reaffirmed Oman’s solidarity with Iran. The Sultan also voiced concern over efforts to undermine peaceful processes in the region, emphasizing that Oman would remain committed to rationality and solidarity with its brotherly and friendly nations.

Iran vows proportional response to any attacks by Israel

In a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday, President Pezeshkian stated that at any level the Zionist regime attacks, it will be met with an equal response.

He emphasized: “We do not seek to escalate the conflict, but we will defend Iran’s territory against any aggression in a manner that they will regret.”

Pezeshkian said that Iran seeks peace; therefore, it engaged in nuclear negotiations with the US and demonstrated its willingness to reach an agreement within the framework of international regulations. A US representative in the nuclear talks informed Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi that the Zionist regime will act only with US approval, he pointed out that prior to the new round of negotiations, the regime attacked Iran, indicating that the US had given the Zionists the green light for such actions.

The Iranian president also expressed gratitude to his Turkish counterpart for his efforts to promote peace, stating that if the US wishes to continue negotiations, it must first stop Israel’s regional assaults.

In response, President Erdogan reported on his recent conversation with the US President Donald Trump, emphasizing that Israel must halt its attacks, and only then can Iran and the US engage in nuclear negotiations.

He added that Turkey is ready to host these discussions.

IAEA warns Israel-Iran war threatens nuclear facilities, diplomacy

Speaking at an emergency session of the United Nations nuclear watchdog’s Board of Governors on Monday in Vienna, Director General Grossi stressed that the region is at a critical juncture.

“Military escalation threatens lives, increases the chance of a radiological release with serious consequences for people and the environment, and delays indispensable work towards a diplomatic solution for the long-term assurance that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon,” Grossi said.

The IAEA chief’s remarks came amid growing concern that the conflict could permanently damage efforts to revive nuclear talks with Tehran, already strained by years of mistrust and United States President Donald Trump’s torpedoing of the 2015 nuclear accord brokered by world powers with Iran.

Grossi also delivered a technical update on the status of Iranian nuclear facilities after Israeli bombardments.

Natanz, Iran’s main uranium enrichment plant, was among the sites hit on Friday. While its underground section was spared a direct strike, Grossi warned that vital equipment may have been damaged due to a power outage triggered by the attack.

He noted that radiation levels outside the facility remained normal and, critically, there was no evidence of contamination spreading beyond the site.

“The level of radioactivity outside the Natanz site has remained unchanged and at normal levels, indicating no external radiological impact to the population or the environment from this event,” he added.

In addition to Natanz, four nuclear installations in Isfahan province were also damaged. However, the Fordow enrichment site, the Bushehr nuclear power plant and a reactor still under construction appeared unaffected.

IAEA personnel remain on the ground in Iran and are ready to resume full monitoring once the security situation allows, Grossi stated.

Meanwhile, Iran’s government is facing pressure at home to take a harder line. A bill reportedly being prepared in parliament could pave the way for Iran to exit the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, a move that would deal a severe blow to global nonproliferation efforts.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the draft legislation was still in its early stages and would require coordination with lawmakers. He reiterated Tehran’s longstanding official opposition to developing nuclear weapons.