‘No Talks under Fire’: Iran Draws Red Line in Geneva Talks with E3


Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. (Photo: Tasnim, via Wikimedia Commons)

By Palestine Chronicle Staff  

Iran says direct talks with the US are off the table while Israel keeps bombing — diplomacy hangs by a thread.

Iran has ruled out direct nuclear negotiations with the United States unless Israel halts its ongoing military strikes against the country, Iranian officials told European mediators during high-stakes talks in Geneva, according to diplomatic sources cited by CNN.

At a closed-door meeting on Friday at the Intercontinental Hotel in Geneva, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with his counterparts from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany — the so-called E3 — along with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. 

According to CNN, the Iranian side made it clear that any direct talks with the US would be conditional on an immediate cessation of Israeli attacks.

CNN cited a Western official briefed on the discussions as saying that the Iranian delegation told European diplomats they would not meet with the US while their territory was under fire. 

Israel’s War on Iran Costing ‘Hundreds of Millions of Dollars a Day’ – Report

While European officials acknowledged they had no authority to guarantee an Israeli halt, they pledged to convey Tehran’s position to Washington.

In what appeared to be a tentative opening, Iranian officials reportedly said they would consult with their leadership about potentially pausing Iranian strikes on Israel — if Israel did the same. 

However, the official also stated that Washington had sent a “very direct message” emphasizing that a halt to uranium enrichment by Iran would be a non-negotiable condition for any such dialogue — a position Tehran has repeatedly rejected.

An Iranian source confirmed to CNN that suspending uranium enrichment remains a red line for Tehran.

The Geneva discussions — the first face-to-face meeting since the outbreak of the conflict between Israel and Iran nearly two weeks ago — were described as “respectful and serious” by the official Iranian news agency IRNA. 

‘Key Buildings’ Damaged in Israeli Attack on Arak Heavy Water Plant – IAEA

CNN reported that the talks, which lasted nearly three and a half hours, were at times tense, with both sides trading accusations over the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal and recent escalations.

Yet following a break midway through, the tone reportedly shifted. 

Meanwhile, tensions played out on the global stage as well. At an emergency UN Security Council meeting convened Friday, the Iranian and Israeli ambassadors traded fierce accusations.

Iran’s Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani stated that Tehran’s strikes are self-defense and condemned Israeli attacks as violations of international law. 

For his part, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon lambasted Iran’s posture, accusing Tehran of “playing the victim” and vowing that Israel would not stop until Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities were dismantled.

Russia Warns US over Nukes in Iran, Condemns Khamenei Assassination Talk

“Israel will not stop. Not until Iran’s nuclear threat is dismantled, not until its war machine is disarmed,” Danon claimed.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres reportedly warned that the conflict risked spiraling out of control. 

“The expansion of this conflict could light a fire that no one can control,” he said, urging an immediate return to negotiations and restraint from all parties.

(PC, CNN)





  • Related Posts

    In Final Statement, Jewish Anti-Zionist Congress Calls for Suspension of Israel from UN
    • July 17, 2025

    The First Jewish Anti-Zionist Conference in Vienna. (Photo: via website) By Palestine Chronicle Staff   Israel’s war crimes and crimes against humanity could not have been carried out or sustained…

    Continue reading
    LIVE BLOG: 28 Children Killed Daily in Gaza as Resistance Pushes Back – Day 649
    • July 16, 2025

    Thu, Jul 17, 12:51 AM (Palestine Time) UNICEF Director: 28 Children Killed Daily in Gaza UNICEF: Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, told the UN Security Council that over 17,000…

    Continue reading

    Random News

    Massie isn't backing down. Neither is Trump.

    • By gonews
    • July 17, 2025
    • 1 views
    Massie isn't backing down. Neither is Trump.

    ‘Utopian’ city California Forever announces huge tech manufacturing park 

    • By gonews
    • July 17, 2025
    • 1 views
    ‘Utopian’ city California Forever announces huge tech manufacturing park 

    In Final Statement, Jewish Anti-Zionist Congress Calls for Suspension of Israel from UN

    • By gonews
    • July 17, 2025
    • 2 views
    In Final Statement, Jewish Anti-Zionist Congress Calls for Suspension of Israel from UN

    CEO Andy Byron was caught hugging his chief product officer—and people are furious

    • By gonews
    • July 17, 2025
    • 1 views
    CEO Andy Byron was caught hugging his chief product officer—and people are furious