Nuclear talks canceled: Iran responds to Israel's air strikes!

Nuclear talks canceled: Iran responds to Israel's air strikes!

Tense relations between Iran and Israel continue to escalate, while planned US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman have been canceled. Loud South German newspaper Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Bussaidi confirmed the cancellation of the talks and emphasized Oman's important role as a mediator. The negotiations were originally intended to discuss the implementation of the 2015 Vienna nuclear agreement, but tensions remain high.

Parallel to the diplomatic setbacks, Israel has been carrying out a large-scale air strike on Iranian nuclear facilities since Friday morning. The goal of this operation, called “Rising Lion,” is to reduce Iran’s nuclear threat and set back its nuclear program. This pre-emptive strike, as by RND reports, aims to target key nuclear facilities, military bases and scientists.

Attacks and counter-reactions

On Saturday night, Iran responded to the Israeli attacks by firing hundreds of rockets and drones towards Israel, hitting the Tel Aviv area. Iran viewed the Israeli airstrikes as a declaration of war, highlighting the deep tensions that exist between the two countries. These attacks take place against the background that Israel, the USA and other Western countries fear that Iran could secretly develop nuclear weapons.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is concerned about developments in Iran's nuclear program. Although no nuclear radiation could be detected, a referral of the case to the UN Security Council could have political and economic consequences for Iran. Iran has increased its uranium enrichment to up to 60 percent in recent months, dangerously close to the threshold of around 90 percent required for nuclear weapons.

Political background and the way forward

The conflict has deep historical roots. Since the Islamic revolution of 1979, the USA has been considered Iran's archenemy. The unilateral withdrawal of the USA under President Trump from the Vienna nuclear agreement in 2018 and the subsequent sanctions have further increased tensions. In the 1950s, Iran's nuclear program was originally launched with support from the United States and later Russia, before this cooperation broke off in the post-revolution period.

The Iranian population is suffering not only from geopolitical tensions, but also from the economic situation, which is characterized by international sanctions. High inflation and widespread poverty are daily companions for many Iranians. A return to a diplomatic approach to resolving the nuclear dispute currently seems hardly possible without fundamental reforms and de-escalation at the geopolitical level.