 "Iranian flags fly as fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot rise, following Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran. Reuters")
The foreign ministers of the UK, Germany, and France are considering a meeting with their Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, in what is seen as a diplomatic breakthrough as tensions escalate in West Asia.
The meeting is set to take place in Geneva on Friday, although an official confirmation from Iran is pending. If the meeting takes place, it could be a major challenge to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after he launched attacks against Iran last week.
Earlier this week, Argachi spoke to the three European foreign ministers over the phone. At the same time, he has refused a meeting with US President Donald Trump’s Middle East Envoy, Steve Witkoff, saying that Israeli actions in Iran were motivated by Washington.
“Iran has proven in action what it has always publicly committed itself to: we have never sought and will never seek nuclear weapons,” Argachi said on Wednesday.
What will happen in the meeting?
If the meeting goes ahead as planned, the UK’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, will first meet US State Secretary Marco Rubio in Washington to “discuss the current situation in the Middle East.”
Friday’s discussions, coordinated with the US, will focus on Iran’s willingness to scale back or shut down its nuclear program.
Meanwhile, the French, British and Germans have urged easing tensions through diplomacy and de-escalation. None of the three countries has called for externally imposed changes in Iran or directly backed Israel’s actions, instead affirming Israel’s right to self-defence under international law.
Israel thanks Trump
Netanyahu thanked US President Donald Trump for his “support in defending Israel’s skies” on Wednesday.
The US has said it is not directly involved in Israel’s campaign, but it is a key supplier of missiles and technology for its ally’s sophisticated air defences systems.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsReports have also said that American military assets in the Middle East, including a Navy destroyer, have helped shoot down Iranian ballistic missiles.
“I want to thank President Trump, a great friend of the state of Israel,” Netanyahu said in a televised statement.
“I thank him for being at our side, and I thank him for the support of the United States in defending Israel’s skies.”
With inputs from agencies