By Amira El-Fekki Newsweek World
Iran's Foreign Ministry has issued a pointed warning against efforts to derail diplomacy as U.S.-Iran nuclear talks advance into a critical technical phase, saying the country is on high alert to face Israeli threats.
Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department and Israeli Foreign Ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
The warning is an indication of Iran's concern that a potential deal with President Donald Trump's administration could be knocked off course at a time Israel is concerned that a weak agreement could put Iran on the path to acquire nuclear weapons and is lobbying Washington intensively.
Israel has threatened military action to stop Iran acquiring nuclear weapons and Trump has also not ruled that out although he has said he favors a diplomatic agreement.
What To Know
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi specifically accused Israel and allied interest groups for attempting to sabotage negotiations through a "variety of tactics," in a post on his X account.
"Our security services are on high alert given past instances of attempted sabotage and assassination operations designed to provoke a legitimate response," Araghchi added.
He shared a mocking image of a satellite photo with a cartoon ghost labeled "SCARY".
Trump said that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are "on same side" on Iran ahead of the resumption of negotiations between American and Iranian diplomats this week. Iran says it has no intention of acquiring nuclear weapons and its research has only civilian uses. Israel is already believed to have nuclear weapons.
The U.S.-Iran talks aim at reaching a new agreement to replace the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Trump abandoned in 2018 citing major shortcomings for U.S. interests.
Araghchi has said that Iran seeks a different deal that guarantees its interests. He has said Iran's uranium enrichment program is under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog responsible for monitoring compliance with nuclear non-proliferation agreements.
What People Are Saying
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on X: "The attempts by the Israeli regime and certain Special Interest groups to derail diplomacy-using variety of tactics-is abundantly clear for all to see. Those seeking to manipulate public opinion can also be expected to come up with fantastical claims and props like scary-looking satellite images."
U.S. State Department Secretary Marco Rubio told Honestly with Bari Weiss podcast, as quoted by The Associated Press: "If Iran wants a civil nuclear program, they can have one just like many other countries can have one, and that is they import enriched material. I would tell anyone we're a long ways from any sort of agreement with Iran. It may not be possible, we don't know ... but we would want to achieve a peaceful resolution to this and not resort to anything else."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday: "I would like to say a few words to you about Iran: I am committed to preventing Iran from having nuclear weapons. I will not give in on this; neither will I slacken or retreat on this, not even a millimeter. But the amusing thing is to listen to the criticism being voiced by those who opposed the many actions I have led over the years in order to strike the Iranian nuclear program and delay it. Without these actions, Iran would have already had nuclear weapons 10 years ago."
What Happens Next
Following two rounds of progressive talks, a committee of technical experts is expected to meet next to draft proposals and resolve key technical differences. Israel has not ruled out unilateral military action.
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This story was originally published April 24, 2025 at 3:26 AM.
