Tehran made clear on June 14, 2025, that any renewal of nuclear negotiations with the U.S. is meaningless in light of Israel’s ongoing attacks, signalling a serious setback in diplomatic efforts to revive the 2015 deal. These remarks came via Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei after Israel launched what Tehran claims is its largest-ever military strike against Iranian targets on June 3, targeting nuclear and military installations; Baghaei accused Washington of complicity while Washington has strongly refuted these allegations (reuters.com | | theguardian.com | theguardian.com +14).
Iran was scheduled to take part in the sixth round of indirect nuclear talks scheduled for Muscat, Oman on Sunday. However, Baghaei indicated it remains “still unclear what decision we will make on Sunday” regarding attendance, due to dialogue with an apparent Israeli ally that has lost credibility (said Saudigazette.com, Reuter’s and The Guardian respectively).
He asserted it would be impossible to negotiate with a country which has allowed Zionist forces to target Iranian territory (en.wikipedia.org/w/index?=56068 and aljazeera.com/86088 + 6), according to him (according to aljazeera and jpost).
Operation Rising Lion,” conducted by Israel, struck more than 400 targets–including missile launchers and nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan and Tehran–killing at least 78 people including senior military officers and nuclear scientists, according to multiple news agencies including The Guardian (@theguardian), Ap News (@apnews) and Times Online. (@Thetimes.co.uk).
Iran swiftly responded with ballistic missiles and drones targeted against Israel, leading to casualties and increasing fears of full-scale regional war, according to APnews.com.
At the United Nations Security Council meeting held on June 13, Iran made clear its position against America for supporting Israel’s assault while encouraging it to pursue nuclear diplomacy, according to both sources (ynetnews.com +6 and Reuter’s).
U.S. officials believe engagement remains necessary and President Trump recently confirmed that Washington still sees hopes for a negotiated outcome even though Israel informed Washington of their planned operation inainte reuters.com
saudigazette.com.sa.sa +5
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State media described Israeli bombing of Iran as “barbarous,” prompting widespread outrage in Tehran and prompting many Iranians to view negotiations with America as futile: “The Israelis essentially killed any diplomatic solution, as both parties were fully coordinated with one another on that front. al Jazeera.com
These developments follow months of incremental diplomacy between April and May 2025. U.S. and Iranian delegations held multiple high-level and technical sessions in Oman, Rome, and Italy between these months; progress was made on curbing enrichment, sanctions relief, inspections under IAEA inspection protocols as well as domestic enrichment rights preservation – key points of contention between Iran and its neighbors (Wsj, reuters.com and Wikipedia each reported progress along these lines), however Iran insisted on maintaining these domestic enrichment rights- a key point of contention for its neighbor Iran (Wsj +4; Reuters.com +4 and Wikipedia both had reported +4cresterea
Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister recently informed EU foreign-policy chief Kaja Kallas that Iran no longer supports any talks as they have become “unjustifiable”, contingent upon de-escalation and an end to Israeli attacks (Wsj +1; aljazeera.com +1).
From Iran’s perspective, continuing dialogue under such circumstances would represent tacit approval of its adversary’s military aggression.
This diplomatic rupture poses significant risks. Analysts caution that ignoring Iran’s enrichment program could hasten its progress toward nuclear thresholds, strengthening national hardliners and narrowing diplomatic options; regional stability may further unravel if strategic dialogue stagnates. Depending on which news organization it comes from (timesofindia.indiatimes.com, reuters.com or saudigazette.com.sa for instance), regional stability could unravel quickly in case strategic dialogue stalls
International bodies including the EU and UN have called for restraint from both sides in Syria. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has joined leaders from Britain, France, Saudi Arabia and others in urging calm and a diplomatic reset; yet on the ground airstrikes and missile barrages continue, overshadowing any hope for diplomatic breakthrough; although negotiators remain hopeful for an eventual resumption.
Iran understands this message clearly: until Washington removes military threats against it, nuclear talks with Tehran are both impossible and futile.