Tehran: As Israeli missiles continue to rain down on Iranian targets, Tehran has categorically ruled out any possibility of entering ceasefire negotiations while under attack. A senior Iranian official, speaking to international mediators through diplomatic backchannels, confirmed that Iran will not consider halting operations until it delivers a "sufficient response" to what it considers acts of blatant aggression by Israel.
The official, whose identity remains undisclosed due to the sensitive nature of the situation, conveyed this position to mediators from Qatar and Oman who have been trying to broker peace between the two regional powers. “We will not engage in talks with a gun pointed to our head,” the source reportedly said, reiterating Iran’s stance that de-escalation can only follow a cessation of hostilities—not precede it.
This firm response comes after a series of high-intensity Israeli airstrikes launched on June 13, targeting key Iranian military and nuclear facilities. The operation, reportedly codenamed “Rising Lion,” led to the deaths of several top commanders in Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as well as the destruction of a strategic fuel depot and parts of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The attacks were described by Israeli officials as a necessary preemptive action aimed at crippling Iran's missile capabilities and deterring any future threats.
In retaliation, Iran launched a massive counteroffensive involving waves of ballistic missiles and drones aimed at Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Haifa. These attacks caused considerable damage to infrastructure and civilian areas, prompting international concern over the rapid escalation. Iranian authorities have claimed that over 224 of their citizens, mostly civilians, have been killed in the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, Israeli casualties also continue to rise, adding fuel to the already explosive situation.
The broader geopolitical implications of this conflict are significant. With oil prices soaring and energy markets reacting nervously, the specter of regional instability looms large. Brent crude has surged past $75 a barrel, with fears mounting that the violence could disrupt key oil trade routes and draw in other nations. The conflict has also derailed ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, as Tehran accuses Washington of backing Israel’s military campaign, either directly or indirectly.
Adding to the volatility, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted at a long-term strategy aimed at neutralizing the Iranian regime, suggesting that the current military operations may only be the beginning of a wider campaign. This has raised alarms across the international community, with the United Nations and several European powers urging both sides to exercise restraint and return to diplomacy.
Despite these appeals, Iran remains adamant. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi declared that Tehran would only consider diplomatic solutions after Israel halts its attacks entirely. “Peace cannot be negotiated under bombardment,” he said, stressing that Iran’s current actions are acts of legitimate self-defense.
As the death toll climbs and military exchanges intensify, hopes for an immediate truce appear slim. The Middle East, already fraught with historic tensions and rivalries, now faces the real danger of a wider war—one that could draw in additional regional players and spark unpredictable consequences for global security. In the meantime, the world watches anxiously, hoping that diplomacy might eventually rise from the rubble of conflict.