JERUSALEM: Israel has claimed its intense military campaign has pushed back Iran’s presumed nuclear weapons programme by at least two years. In a statement published Saturday, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told Germany’s Bild newspaper that based on Israeli intelligence, “we already delayed for at least two or three years the possibility for them to have a nuclear bomb,” adding, “We will do everything that we can do there in order to remove this threat.”
The claim comes amid escalating violence in the Middle East. Since June 13, Israeli airstrikes have targeted Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure, including missile-storage sites and suspected enrichment facilities. Israel says the campaign, reportedly involving over 200 fighter jets, has damaged or disrupted key sites at locations like Natanz, Isfahan, and Qom . Iran has responded with multiple missile and drone barrages targeting Israeli cities, with sirens sounding across Tel Aviv and Haifa.
U.S. President Donald Trump has heightened tensions further by warning Iran it has a “maximum” of two weeks to comply or face possible American. He has indicated Washington may decide to join Israel’s efforts within that time frame. Trump also dismissed European diplomacy, stating “Iran doesn’t want to speak to Europe,” and expressing doubts over EU negotiators’ effectiveness. Meanwhile, European foreign ministers have pressed Iran to resume talks with the U.S. amid fears of a broader regional war.
In Geneva, diplomatic efforts proceeded as Britain, France, and Germany met with Iranian Deputy FM Abbas Araqchi. They urged Iran to engage in U.S.-led nuclear negotiations even as strikes continue. Araqchi, however, refused to negotiate under pressure, stating Iran would not speak “until Israeli aggression stops”.
International reaction has been mixed. Calls for restraint and diplomacy have intensified, including warnings from the U.N. and major global powers of potential humanitarian and security catastrophes. Even Russia has urged caution, downplaying military escalation.
As Israel continues its campaign, Tehran remains defiant. The next two weeks are likely to prove critical: will Iran capitulate to U.S. pressure, or will this spiral into full-scale American intervention? The world watches closely.
