Saturday, July 18, 2026

Iran warns U.S. against involvement in Israeli strikes, calls for return to diplomacy

He emphasised Iran’s readiness for peaceful negotiations.

• June 21, 2025
Iran PM
Iran PM[Credit: BBC]

Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, on Saturday, warned that the U.S. participation in Israel’s ongoing attacks on Iran would be “very unfortunate” and “extremely dangerous for everyone.”

Mr Araghchi was speaking to reporters in Istanbul ahead of the 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul.

He said: “Diplomacy worked in the past, it can work again. But to return to it, aggression must stop.”

He emphasised Iran’s readiness for peaceful negotiations.

“We are absolutely ready for a negotiated solution, just like in 2015,” the minister said.

He accused Israel of opposing diplomatic efforts, saying: “Israel is clearly against diplomacy.”

Mr Araghchi reiterated that halting hostilities was a prerequisite for any diplomatic progress.

Hostilities broke out on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes on several sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.

Israeli authorities said at least 25 people have been killed and hundreds injured in Israel since then in Iranian missile attacks.

Meanwhile, in Iran, 430 people have been killed and more than 3,500 wounded in the Israeli assault, according to the Iranian Health Ministry.

(AA/NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN)

Economy

CIBN projects 26.5% monetary policy rate retention

Mr Alabi said the expectation was based on the CBN’s inflation-targeting monetary policy framework and recent economic developments.

Police officer

Hot news Home top

Police nab fake pastor, accomplice for allegedly stealing newborn baby in Niger

The suspect lured a nursing mother and her 4-week-old baby to the Kasuwan-Gwari Area.

Electricity station

Heading 4

Poor leadership, corruption affecting Nigeria’s power sector, says ex-TCN boss 

He advocated the appointment of competent professionals based on merit rather than political considerations.

Heading 5

Several injured as 18-seater bus rams into market in Kwara

The injured were taken to a nearby hospital for emergency medical treatment.

Gardens

Agriculture

Stakeholders seek plant-based protein policies to boost food security

She said plant-based proteins were critical to building sustainable food systems.

States

Edo security squad nabs 12 suspected cultists in Benin

He said the suspects had been handed over to the police for further investigation.