Middle East On Edge: Iran Refuses US Talks As War Fears Escalate

Iran has declared it “will not negotiate with the United States”, as tensions spiral following a wave of US-Israeli strikes.

Ali Larijani, head of Tehran’s Supreme National Security Council, dismissed reports that Iranian officials had sought talks with the Trump administration after the weekend attacks.

In a post on X, Larijani denied any outreach to Washington and accused US President Donald Trump of destabilising the region.

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“Trump plunged the region into chaos with his ‘delusional fantasies’ and now fears more American troop casualties,” Larijani wrote.

The comments came after joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, launched days after nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

Israel Expands Strikes as Hezbollah Fires Rockets

The Israeli military said it carried out “large-scale strikes” on Tehran, describing a new wave of attacks targeting what it called regime infrastructure.

In a statement, Israel said it had struck “dozens of the regime’s military command centres, including headquarters belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), intelligence headquarters, IRGC Air Force command centres, and internal security headquarters.”

Meanwhile, Israel confirmed it was striking Hezbollah positions across Lebanon after the group launched rockets and drones towards Israeli territory.

Seven people were reported injured in the Jerusalem area following a missile barrage from Iran, according to Israeli emergency services.

Trump Vows Retaliation as War Could Last ‘Four Weeks’

Trump vowed to avenge the deaths of three US service members killed during operations linked to the conflict.

He warned that further casualties were possible and suggested military action could continue for weeks.

“It’s always been a four-week process. We figured it will be four weeks or so,” Trump told the Daily Mail.

“As strong as it is, it’s a big country, it’ll take four weeks — or less.”

Trump also told The New York Times that he had “three very good choices” to lead Iran, though he declined to name them.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth is set to hold a press briefing alongside Joint Chiefs chairman Dan Caine regarding the operation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe are also expected to brief Congress.

The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had destroyed the IRGC headquarters during Saturday’s strikes.

EU Warns of Regional Fallout as Gulf States React

Kaja Kallas, speaking on behalf of the European Union, warned that the Middle East “stands to lose greatly from any drawn-out war”.

“The events unfolding in Iran must not lead to an escalation that could threaten the Middle East, Europe and beyond, with unpredictable consequences,” she said after an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers.

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The EU is reinforcing its Red Sea naval mission, with two additional French vessels joining the Aspides operation.

Gulf Cooperation Council states vowed to defend themselves against Iranian attacks, with the United States and regional allies condemning what they described as “reckless and destabilizing behavior” after strikes targeted Gulf states hosting US troops.

Shipping giant Maersk announced it was suspending transit through the Suez Canal and the Strait of Hormuz for safety reasons after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards declared the strait closed.

Strikes Reported on Iran Police Station and Hospital

Iranian media reported that a police station on the outskirts of Tehran was struck, with casualties reported and others trapped under debris.

The ISNA news agency said Gandhi hospital in northern Tehran was also targeted. Footage published by Iranian outlets showed debris scattered inside parts of the facility.

The situation remains volatile, with both sides continuing military operations and diplomatic tensions rising.