Iran accuses U.S. and Israel of coordinated attack to sabotage nuclear talks

Iran says it is ready to end its retaliatory strikes on Israel, but blames both Tel Aviv and Washington for blocking de-escalation, accusing them of deliberately sabotaging nuclear talks and prolonging the conflict for strategic gain.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Iran is ready to halt its attacks on Israel, provided that Tel Aviv ends its military assault on Iranian territory. Speaking to foreign ambassadors in Tehran, Araghchi underlined that the current conflict was “imposed” on Iran and that its response is rooted in the principle of self-defence.

“Our defence is fully legitimate and will be carried out with strength, solely in response to aggression,” he stated. “If the attacks cease, Iran’s retaliatory actions will also end.”

Tensions have escalated dramatically in recent days following a series of coordinated Israeli airstrikes on multiple sites in Tehran, including military and nuclear facilities, on Friday. In retaliation, Iran launched missile strikes within hours, followed by a second wave of attacks late Saturday night under the operation name True Promise III, targeting primarily economic and industrial infrastructure in Israel’s port city of Haifa. Israeli airstrikes reportedly continued overnight, hitting the Iranian defence ministry and oil depots in the capital.

Iranian authorities report that 78 people were killed during the first wave of Israeli attacks, with further casualties, including children, on the second day of hostilities.

Araghchi accused both Israel and the United States of sabotaging the nuclear diplomacy process. He revealed that the sixth round of indirect talks with the United States—scheduled for Sunday in Muscat and mediated by Oman—had been suspended due to the military escalation.

The Iranian foreign minister blamed the United States for enabling Israel’s strikes, asserting that such actions could not have taken place without American coordination and support.

“Iran possesses solid and convincing evidence that U.S. military forces and regional bases played a supportive role in the Israeli attacks,” he said.

He also cited remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said the Israeli strikes “couldn’t have happened without American equipment” and hinted at “further stages to come,” as further indication of Washington’s involvement.

Regarding U.S. denials of any role in the Israeli strike on Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility in Isfahan province, Araghchi rejected the claim as implausible, pointing to “contradictory evidence.” He urged Washington to issue a clear and public condemnation of the attack, stating that “private messages are insufficient.”

Araghchi accused Israel of persistently working to sabotage nuclear negotiations, citing past incidents such as the 2020 sabotage of the Natanz facility during the Vienna talks aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. He noted that in response, Iran increased its uranium enrichment to 60% and installed more advanced centrifuges.

Despite these provocations, Araghchi insisted that Iran entered the negotiations in good faith, completing five rounds of talks and preparing a counterproposal to bridge existing gaps.

He concluded by stating that Iran has formally requested the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to convene an emergency session in response to the latest Israeli attack on Natanz, calling it a clear “red line” under international law that has now been crossed.
 

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