Summary
Here’s a look at where things stand:
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that Iran is ready to “consider diplomacy” under the condition that Israel’s “aggression is stopped.” Speaking to reporters following several hours of talks with European foreign ministers in Geneva, Araghchi said: “Iran is ready to consider diplomacy once again and once the aggression is stopped and the aggressor is held accountable for the crimes committed.”
A 5.1 magnitude earthquake has struck near the Iranian city of Qom. According to the US government earthquake monitor, the earthquake hit 16 kilometers from Sorkheh, Semnan province on Friday evening. The recorded depth was 10 kilometers.
European foreign ministers said that they are ready for further talks with Iran following a three-hour long conversation on Friday. The foreign ministers of France, Britain, Germany and the European Union made brief remarks but did not say whether there had been any tangible progress, Reuters reports.
Shortly after European foreign ministers met with their Iranian counterpart in an hours-long conversation on Friday, Donald Trump said: “Iran doesn’t want to speak with Europe.” Trump doubled down on skepticism towards Europe’s involvement, saying: “Europe is not going to be able to help with this one.”
The EU has said “there are indications” that Israel is in breach of human rights obligations over its conduct in Gaza, but stopped short of calling for immediate sanctions. “There are indications that Israel would be in breach of its human rights obligations under article 2 of the EU-Israel association agreement,” states a leaked document from the EU’s foreign policy service, seen by the Guardian.
Ireland is pulling its diplomatic team out of its embassy in Tehran, the deputy prime minister Simon Harris has announced. “In light of the deteriorating situation, following consultation with my officials and in close consultation and coordination with EU partners, I have decided to temporarily relocate our personnel from Tehran,” he said.
Shortly after European foreign ministers met with their Iranian counterpart in an hours-long conversation on Friday, Donald Trump said:
“Iran doesn’t want to speak with Europe.”
Trump doubled down on skepticism towards Europe’s involvement, saying:
“Europe is not going to be able to help with this one.”
He added that his administration has been speaking with Iran and that he thinks Iran “was weeks or months away from having a weapon.”
