Iran has pulled out of nuclear talks with the United States following Israeli airstrikes, Iranian state media reported.
Iranian news outlet Ahram quoted an Iranian armed forces spokesperson as saying, “The Zionist enemy carried out this attack with the help of the United States and targeted residential areas. Israel will pay a heavy price and should expect a strong response from us. That response will definitely come.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was not involved in Israel’s action. “We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” he said following the attacks. “Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”
The United States has been insistent that Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons.
“Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see, Trump told Fox News’ Bret Baier. “There are several people in leadership who will not be coming back.”
Trump pushed for negotiations to continue on social media, explaining that while there “has already been great death and destruction,” there is “still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end.”
“Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire,” he wrote. “No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. God Bless You All!”
