Israel-Iran war stretches into second week

Hours of talks aimed at de-escalating fighting between Israel and Iran failed to produce a diplomatic breakthrough as the war entered its second week with a fresh round of strikes between the two adversaries.

European ministers and Iran's top diplomat met for four hours on Friday in Geneva, as President Donald Trump continued to weigh US military involvement and worries rose over potential strikes on nuclear reactors.

European officials expressed hope for future negotiations, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he was open to further dialogue while emphasising that Tehran had no interest in negotiating with the US while Israel continued attacking.

"Iran is ready to consider diplomacy if aggression ceases and the aggressor is held accountable for its committed crimes,” he told reporters.

No date was set for the next round of talks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s military operation in Iran would continue "for as long as it takes” to eliminate what he called the existential threat of Iran’s nuclear programme and arsenal of ballistic missiles. Israel’s top general echoed the warning, saying the Israeli military was ready "for a prolonged campaign.”

But Netanyahu's goal could be out of reach without US help. Iran’s underground Fordo uranium enrichment facility is considered to be out of reach to all but America’s "bunker-buster” bombs. Trump said he would put off deciding whether to join Israel’s air campaign against Iran for up to two weeks.

People, who were stuck in Iran due to Israeli strikes on Iran, gather at the border crossing point on Armenia-Iran border near Agarak village in the Meghri Municipality of the Syunik Province in southern Armenia, on Thursday. AP

The war between Israel and Iran erupted June 13, with Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 2,000 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group.

Iran has retaliated by firing 450 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel, according to Israeli army estimates. Most have been shot down by Israel’s multitiered air defenses, but at least 24 people in Israel have been killed and hundreds wounded.

Associated Press