Negotiations Fail to Break Deadlock as Iran Insists Israel Must Halt Attacks Before Talks with the US

As the Trump administration weighs whether to join Israel in striking Iran, negotiations between Iran and European leaders have failed to bring Iran any closer to making concessions to end the standoff over its nuclear program. European countries have joined the Trump administration in demanding that Iran halt its nuclear fuel enrichment activities, increasing pressure on Tehran to accept terms it rejected in this year’s nuclear talks. According to Arab and European officials familiar with the discussions, Iran’s foreign minister on Friday continued to insist on Iran’s right to enrich uranium. He also maintained that Iran would not resume nuclear negotiations with the United States until Israel halts its attacks. After the talks, he stated, “Once the aggression stops and the aggressor is held accountable for its crimes, Iran is prepared to reconsider diplomatic options.” On the other hand, Israel has shown no sign of being ready to halt the strikes it began a week ago. On Friday, the Israeli military chief of staff said that Israel must be prepared for a prolonged conflict with Iran.