Iran dubs nuclear talks “meaningless” after Israeli strike as diplomatic tensions rise

Iran has declared forthcoming nuclear negotiations with the United States “meaningless” following a large-scale Israeli strike on Iranian soil, accusing Washington of complicity in the attack just as diplomacy was being revived.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei slammed the timing and context of the talks, stating that the US cannot claim to negotiate while “allowing… a regime genocidal” Israel to bomb Iranian territory.

Iran has not yet confirmed whether it will attend the next round of indirect negotiations with the US scheduled for June 15 in Muscat.

US President Donald Trump defended the strikes—calling them “excellent”—but emphasized the urgent need for Iran to return to negotiations, warning of “even more brutal” potential consequences if diplomacy fails.

The strike—dubbed Operation Rising Lion—is believed to be the largest Israeli airstrike on Iran, targeting military and nuclear infrastructure, including sites near Natanz and Tehran, and reportedly killing several high-ranking commanders.

Iran has said that its uranium enrichment program serves only peaceful, civilian purposes and firmly rejects Israeli claims that it’s secretly developing nuclear weapons.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, remains unconvinced and has vowed to continue airstrikes “for as many days as it takes” to halt what he characterizes as Iran’s looming nuclear threat.

Meanwhile, President Trump has expressed support to Israel's attack on his Truth Social platform. He warned Iranian leaders that further escalation would bring consequences “beyond anything they know or anticipated,” emphasizing that both the US and Israel wield “the best and most lethal military equipment.”

Inside Iran, analysts say the timing of the strike undercuts any remaining faith in diplomacy.

Tehran University political science professor Hamed Mousavi told Al Jazeera that many Iranians view the attacks—as well as reported US coordination—as effectively killing off the nuclear negotiations.

“The Israelis essentially killed the diplomatic solution, and … Americans were fully coordinating with the Israelis,” Mousavi said, signaling that Iran is unlikely to return to talks in Muscat this weekend.

Iran’s rejection of the talks marks a serious setback in efforts to reinstate or replace the 2015 JCPOA. Washington and European partners have urged Tehran to re-engage despite the pause—though Iran’s stance signals growing mistrust.