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Iran’s foreign minister has denounced Israel’s recent attacks on the country as a “betrayal” of ongoing diplomatic efforts with the United States, revealing that Tehran and Washington had been poised to strike a “promising agreement” on Iran’s nuclear programme before the escalation.
Speaking at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Friday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi — making his first international appearance since the start of the strikes — criticised Israel’s actions as “an outrageous act of aggression” that undermined international law and diplomacy.
According to Araghchi, a meeting had been scheduled for June 15 in Oman between himself and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to finalise an agreement aimed at peacefully resolving longstanding tensions over Iran’s nuclear activities. That meeting was cancelled after Israel launched its military operation days beforehand.
“We were attacked in the middle of an active diplomatic process,” Araghchi said. “It was a betrayal of diplomacy and an unprecedented assault on the principles of international law.”
Israel has justified the military campaign by accusing Tehran of pursuing a nuclear bomb — a charge Iran continues to deny. Israeli officials have stated the strikes were intended to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability.
According to Iranian authorities, at least 224 people — including military leaders, nuclear scientists and civilians — have been killed since the strikes began. Iran has not updated the death toll since Sunday. In retaliation, Iranian attacks on Israeli territory have resulted in at least 24 deaths and hundreds of injuries, according to Israeli officials.
Araghchi also raised concerns over potential environmental and humanitarian disasters, warning that strikes near nuclear facilities posed a grave risk of radiation leakage. “Attacks on nuclear sites constitute serious war crimes,” he declared, calling on the international community to uphold justice and the rule of law.
