As Iran courts Europe, can diplomatic blitz help avert Trump strikes?
As the Israel-Iran war entered its second week, Tehran was exhausting diplomatic channels in a bid to dissuade the United States from entering the fray — and ultimately to secure a ceasefire in a conflict that is rapidly eroding its defensive capabilities.
TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in Geneva on Friday to discuss diplomatic solutions to the Iranian nuclear crisis with his British, French and German counterparts as his country remains locked in a fierce war with Israel.
After the meeting, Araghchi signaled Iran's openness to renewed diplomacy, saying Tehran was preparing for another round of talks with the Europeans "to explore the diplomatic avenue once again," according to the IRNA news agency.
He added, however, that "Iran's defensive capabilities are not up for negotiation," referring to its missile program — the elimination of which is one of Israel's stated objectives in the war that began with a series of predawn attacks on Tehran last Friday.
Araghchi's French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, told reporters that a military solution would not resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, stressing the need for dialogue — including with the United States — to reach a negotiated settlement. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul echoed the sentiment, saying Europe's joint effort was aimed at preventing further escalation in the Middle East and pushing negotiations forward.
