With peace talks stalled, risk of full-scale war looms
NN Report :
As the conflict between Iran and Israel intensifies, the international community is mounting urgent efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent the outbreak of a broader regional war.
While missile strikes continue to hit key urban centres in both countries, diplomatic initiatives are gathering pace in a bid to halt the descent into full-scale confrontation – one that many fear could draw in the United States and other global powers.
On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump signalled a measured approach, stating he would decide within the next two weeks whether to authorise military action against Iran-a stance widely dubbed the “two-week diplomacy” window.
The decision, he noted, would depend on the prospects of forthcoming negotiations with Tehran. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read Trump’s statement at a media briefing, amid rising speculation over potential U.S. military involvement. However, Leavitt declined to confirm whether any prospective strike would require congressional approval.
The statement coincided with renewed military activity in the region. Overnight, Israel launched a fresh series of airstrikes targeting what it described as Iranian military research facilities and missile production sites, including a complex in Tehran allegedly linked to nuclear weapons development.
In response, Iran fired over 20 missiles into Israeli territory. The barrage reportedly struck the southern city of Beersheba, with secondary impacts in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and parts of the Negev desert. Emergency services agency Magen David Adom reported at least 17 injuries, including three individuals-among them a 14-year-old boy-who remain in critical condition.
Iran has firmly ruled out resuming nuclear talks while under military attack, effectively stalling a fragile diplomatic track. Speaking at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned Israel’s actions as “a grave act of aggression” and “a clear breach of the UN Charter.” He claimed the Israeli strikes disrupted what had been promising dialogue with the United States and described the moment as “a critical juncture for international peace.”
European efforts to mediate are ongoing. Foreign ministers from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany convened in Geneva with Araghchi in a last-ditch bid to restore dialogue. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed cautious optimism, stating: “The next fourteen days are crucial. There remains a narrow but genuine window to prevent this war from escalating beyond control.”
Tensions continue to rise across the region. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a strongly worded message on social media, accusing Israel of waging an “imposed war” and insisting that Iran has “always sought peace and stability.” He called for an immediate cessation of Israeli military operations and demanded assurances against further aggression by what he referred to as “Zionist terrorists.”
Mass demonstrations took place across Iran following Friday prayers, with hundreds of thousands rallying in cities including Tehran, Tabriz, and Shiraz. Protesters displayed Iranian, Palestinian, and Hezbollah flags, chanted anti-Israel slogans, and held up photographs of commanders killed in the wake of Israel’s 13 June airstrikes. State media described the scenes as a powerful show of “national unity and resistance.”
International reactions have been swift. Russia, a key ally of Tehran, strongly criticised Israel’s attacks. Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova described the Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure as “completely unacceptable” and warned they could provoke a global crisis. She also raised concerns about the safety of Russian personnel working at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility.
“These actions violate international law and bring us dangerously close to nuclear disaster,” Zakharova warned, urging Israel to halt operations and advising the United States to refrain from intervening militarily.
China also joined the diplomatic chorus, with President Xi Jinping urging restraint following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Xi called for a ceasefire and appealed to all parties-particularly Israel-to avoid further escalation, warning against “cyclical escalation” and the risk of wider regional destabilisation.
Despite growing international pressure, neither side has shown signs of backing down. Iranian officials insist they are acting defensively in response to Israeli provocation, while Israel maintains that its operations are necessary to counter Iran’s potential nuclear capabilities.
With the situation teetering on the brink, analysts warn that the coming days could be decisive. Without a breakthrough in diplomacy or the establishment of a ceasefire, the region faces the looming threat of a broader conflict-one that could quickly spiral into a confrontation involving multiple global powers, with grave implications for international peace and security.