Iran, Europe talks wrap up in Geneva
The Iranian foreign minister met with top European diplomats in Geneva on Friday in a bid to ease the conflict between Iran and Israel.
After the meeting, the Europeans issued a statement saying they support continuing the discussions, and welcomed US efforts to seek a "negotiated solution."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with his counterparts from Britain, France and Germany, as well as EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, at a hotel in the city.
After the talks, Kallas said, "The regional escalation benefits no one and that's why we need to keep the discussions with Tehran open." She also said they agreed to discuss nuclear and broader issues.
The Iranian foreign minister said, "Iran is ready to consider diplomacy once again and once aggression is stopped." He also stressed that he made clear that "Iran's defense capabilities are not negotiable."
This comes after the White House said Thursday that US President Donald Trump has set a two-week timeline to decide on whether the US will join the conflict.
Trump was dismissive about the Geneva talks. Speaking to reporters after arriving in New Jersey, he said, "Europe is not going to be able to help." He also denied that the US will ask Israel to stop the attacks.
At the Security Council meeting in New York, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the confrontation is "racing" toward a crisis, and "we are on course to potential chaos."
He said: "Moments when the direction taken will shape not only the fate of nations, but potentially our collective future. This is such a moment."
The UN leader called on all the parties to "give peace a chance."
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Yomiuri Shimbun
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- Yomiuri Shimbun
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