Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva said on Tuesday that Tehran will not engage in negotiations with the United States for now, three days after joint US and Israeli strikes targeted sites inside Iran.
Read More: Strikes escalate across ME as Israel hits Beirut, Tehran
Ali Bahreini, head of Iran’s mission in Geneva, told reporters that no contact had taken place with Washington, either directly or indirectly, regarding de-escalation or the possible resumption of talks over Iran’s nuclear programme. “For the time being we are very doubtful about the usefulness of negotiation,” he said. “The only language for talking with the United States is the language of defence.”
Tehran will not negotiate with US following joint US-Israeli strikes, Iran’s UN envoy in Geneva Ali Bahreini says, insisting “the only language” with Washington is defence
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Explosions were again reported in Tehran on Tuesday, heightening concerns of a prolonged conflict. Global financial markets fell amid fears that continued hostilities could disrupt energy supplies, particularly through key shipping routes.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have given open-ended timelines for the military campaign. Trump suggested the war could last four to five weeks, while Netanyahu said it would not stretch on for years.
The strikes followed talks held last week in Geneva between Iranian and U.S. negotiators, mediated by Oman, which officials had described as showing progress. However, military action began shortly afterward, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior Iranian officials, according to Iranian state media.
Read More: Iran strikes U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia, war expands
In response, Iran has launched missiles and drones at Israel and neighbouring Gulf Arab states and has disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic corridor through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
A source familiar with Israel’s war planning said the campaign was initially intended to last two weeks and was advancing faster than expected.