Iran ready for deal guaranteeing republic’s absence of nuclear weapons — Foreign Ministry

Iran ready for deal guaranteeing republic’s absence of nuclear weapons — Foreign Ministry

Iran's Foreign Ministry has indicated that the country is prepared to enter into a deal that guarantees the absence of nuclear weapons, following a series of airstrikes launched by Israel on Friday. The strikes, which targeted Iran's nuclear program, marked a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the operation was aimed at removing the threat posed by Iran's nuclear capabilities.

The Iranian response was swift but limited, with President Masoud Pezeshkian promising a "powerful response." Iran launched over 100 drones towards Israel, marking the first sign of retaliation. However, the strikes did not cause significant damage. The U.S. has maintained a neutral stance, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that the U.S. is not involved in the strikes and its top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

The airstrikes resulted in the deaths of several top military officials, including Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, the country's top military official, and Hossein Salami, commander in chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Additionally, several professors and their family members from Tehran's Shahid Beheshti University were killed, along with nuclear scientists like Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi.

The U.N. Security Council is set to meet today following an urgent request from Iran. The country's Mission to the United Nations has condemned the strikes as a declaration of war and called for immediate, strong, and binding action against Israel.

The escalation has sent oil prices soaring, with U.S. crude oil prices rising by around 8% on Friday morning. Iran, one of the world’s top oil-producing nations, exports nearly 2 million barrels of oil per day. Any disruption to this flow could have significant global market implications.

Several top congressional leaders have reacted to the strikes. House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed support for Israel's actions, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune emphasized the need for peace in the region. However, Democratic leaders like Sen. Jack Reed and Rep. Adam Smith have expressed concern over the potential for further escalation.

Iran's president has vowed a "decisive, proportional, and deterrent" response. However, the Iranian response so far has been relatively weak, with the country still in a defensive mode. The U.S. has indicated that Iran has a second chance to sign a nuclear deal, with President Donald Trump stating that Iran missed an opportunity to make a deal two months ago and now has another chance.

The conflict has also led to protests in Iran, with crowds gathering in Tehran's Revolution Square to condemn the strikes. The Hezbollah militant group has condemned the Israeli strikes but stated that it will not retaliate.

The situation remains fluid, with both sides preparing for potential further escalation. The international community is closely monitoring the developments, with the U.N. Security Council set to play a crucial role in mediating the conflict.

References:
[1] https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/live-blog/israel-strikes-iran-middle-east-conflict-live-updates-rcna212727/rcrd81974?canonicalCard=true