Iran Accuses US, Israel of Sabotaging Diplomacy
Tensions have dramatically escalated in the Middle East as Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, has directly blamed both the United States and Israel for intentionally undermining diplomatic efforts. This follows recent attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, further destabilizing an already volatile region.
Accusations and Blame
Araghchi stated that recent actions by Israel and the United States effectively “blew up negotiations.” He specifically pointed to strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities as deliberate attempts to derail talks. He questioned how Iran could return to negotiations it never truly abandoned.
Last week, we were in negotiations with the US when Israel decided to blow up that diplomacy. This week, we held talks with the E3/EU when the US decided to blow up that diplomacy. What conclusion would you draw? To Britain and the EU High Rep, it is Iran which must “return” to the table. But how can Iran return to something it never left, let alone blew up?
— Araghchi (@Araghchi_IR) June 22, 2025
“We will respond in accordance with our rights and national security priorities,”
—Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister
Diplomatic efforts have been hampered by escalating violence, a trend experts say that could further destabilize the region. Recent data from the United Nations indicates a 15% increase in regional conflict incidents in the last month (UN Report).
Escalation and Response
The United States targeted three sites in Iran in a Sunday morning operation. These strikes, targeting the Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz nuclear facilities, have been described by Donald Trump as fully obliterating key Iranian facilities.
Araghchi emphasized that Iran’s response will depend on the scale of US aggression, cautioning that Washington’s actions are pushing the region towards instability. The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization confirmed the attacks. They also asserted that their nuclear program will continue, despite the attacks. There were no immediate signs of radioactive contamination, according to authorities.
With diplomatic efforts seemingly shattered, the Middle East now stands on a precipice of potential further conflict, dependent on the responses from the involved parties.