The latest US-Iran talks over Tehran's fast-growing nuclear program will not take place, an Omani mediator said Saturday, as Iran launched a new rocket attack a day after Israel's massive attack on Iranian nuclear and military facilities.
The Israeli military and Iranian state television reported a new rocket launch, after which explosions were heard in parts of Israel, including Tel Aviv.
The Israeli military quickly noted that it was currently striking “military targets” in Tehran.
Jordan said it had closed its airspace.
Israel's ongoing “large-scale strikes” on Tehran and elsewhere leave Iran's remaining leadership with a difficult choice: whether to go deeper into conflict with more powerful Israeli forces or seek a diplomatic solution.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said on social media that the sixth round of proxy nuclear talks on Sunday “will now not take place,” adding that “diplomacy and dialogue remain the only path to lasting peace.”
Despite the pause in talks, “we remain committed to dialogue and hope that the Iranians will return to the table soon,” said a senior U.S. official, speaking anonymously to discuss diplomatic matters.
Israel and Iran have signaled they are preparing for new attacks, despite urgent calls from world leaders for de-escalation and to prevent all-out war.
China's foreign minister said the attack on nuclear facilities had set a “dangerous precedent.”
The region is already on the brink of disaster as Israel makes new attempts to destroy the Iranian-backed Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip after 20 months of conflict.
Israel, believed to be the only Middle East state with a nuclear arsenal, said hundreds of strikes on Iran over the past two days had killed several senior generals and nine leading scientists and experts involved in Iran's nuclear program.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
