MWE Correspondent
In a defiant tone on Friday, Iran declared that it would not return to the negotiating table over its nuclear programme while under continued military assault by Israel a statement that deepens global concerns over a conflict now drawing attention from the United Nations, Europe, and potentially the United States.
The announcement followed a fresh wave of Israeli airstrikes that hit multiple locations across Iran, including what Israeli officials described as missile production sites and a research center in Tehran suspected of playing a role in nuclear weapons development. Other military facilities in central and western Iran were also reportedly targeted.
As the conflict escalates, the international community is voicing alarm—particularly over the threat to nuclear facilities. On Friday, Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), addressed the UN Security Council, warning that any armed attack on nuclear installations could lead to “radioactive releases with grave consequences,” not just within Iran but far beyond its borders.
“These are not ordinary military targets,” Grossi said. “The risk of environmental catastrophe is real, and restraint is urgently needed.”
Israel insists its operations are a defensive campaign, aimed at preventing Iran from ever developing a nuclear weapon. Officials say they are taking care to avoid sparking a nuclear disaster—but critics argue that even a single miscalculation could trigger a regional calamity.
Also Read; Retained Earnings Tax Sparks Heated National Debate
The response from Iran has been swift. Military officials confirmed that ballistic missiles were launched toward Israel overnight, targeting military bases and triggering air-raid sirens in major cities such as Tel Aviv. No casualties were reported in Israel, but Iranian media said a 16-year-old was killed and several others injured by Israeli retaliatory fire in Isfahan.
While European diplomats continue to push for dialogue, Tehran has drawn a clear line: talks will not resume until the airstrikes stop. Meanwhile, the United States—already a firm backer of Israel—is considering whether to deepen its involvement, though no final decision has been made.
Across the globe, analysts are warning that the situation could spiral further if diplomacy fails. With both Iran and Israel locked in an escalating cycle of attack and retaliation, the prospect of a regional war looms.
The crisis also casts a long shadow over the Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the JCPOA. Originally signed in 2015 and later abandoned by the U.S. under the Trump administration, the deal aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief. But with violence now replacing diplomacy, many experts worry that hope for a peaceful resolution is slipping away.
