Isreal-Iran Conflict: Geneva talks begin as Europe races to prevent West Asia/Middle East from increasing conflict
New Delhi, Jun 20: To de-escalate the growing crisis in West Asia or Middle East, European foreign ministers have begun formal talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on Friday afternoon . The meeting, confirmed by AFP, as quoted by BBC, marks the first direct diplomatic contact between Iran and Western powers since the Israel-Iran conflict erupted over a week ago.
The foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, joined by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, are pressing Tehran to return to the negotiating table. Their goal: to prevent a broader regional war that diplomats warn could spiral out of control.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, ahead of the talks, urged calm and diplomacy. “Now is the time to put a stop to the grave scenes in the Middle East and prevent a regional escalation that would benefit no one,” he posted on X, as quoted by the BBC. He described the next two weeks as a “window of opportunity” to halt the drift toward war.
The European push comes just hours after US President Donald Trump unexpectedly announced that he would delay his decision on launching military strikes against Iran. Speaking through Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt at the White House, Trump said: “Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.” The move was interpreted by international observers as a calculated pause, allowing space for diplomatic efforts now channelled in Geneva. According to the BBC, some officials see this as a rare alignment between the US and Europe, albeit a fragile one.
Macron Outlines Europe’s Four-Point Proposal
Speaking from Le Bourget, near Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron, ahead of the meeting elaborated on the European Union’s diplomatic framework. The proposal includes four central demands:
Full cooperation with the IAEA to ensure Iran maintains zero enrichment of uranium.
Oversight of Iran’s ballistic missile program to prevent regional destabilisation.
Cessation of financial and material support to militant proxy groups across the Middle East.
Release of foreign nationals detained in Iranian prisons, whom Macron referred to as “hostages.” “Iran must show that it is willing to join the platform for negotiations we are putting on the table,” Macron told reporters, as reported by BBC and Le Monde.
War still rages on the ground, enters eighth day
While diplomats met in Geneva, the military conflict between Israel and Iran continued to intensify. On Thursday night, Iranian missiles struck Beersheba, injuring at least seven civilians, according to officials at Soroka Medical Centre. Some injuries occurred as people fled to bomb shelters. In retaliation, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) launched one of the largest aerial offensives of the conflict so far, deploying over 60 fighter jets and releasing more than 120 munitions. The IDF claimed its strikes targeted missile factories and a nuclear research facility allegedly tied to Iran’s weapons program. The escalation marks the eighth straight day of violence, with both nations exchanging missiles, drones, and cyberattacks. Casualties including civilians continue to rise.
United Nations issues warning
As the Geneva talks progressed, the United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session in New York to address the crisis. Secretary-General António Guterres opened the meeting with a dire warning as reported by the international media: “The expansion of this conflict could light a fire that no one can control,” he said. “The world is racing towards a crisis.” Guterres identified the “nuclear question” as the central issue fuelling tensions. “Iran has repeatedly stated that it is not seeking nuclear weapons,” he acknowledged, “but let us recognise that there is a trust gap.” He appealed for an immediate ceasefire and a return to serious negotiations. “Diplomacy, not war, must shape the region’s future,” he said as reported by the BBC.
US divided on Trump’s strategy
Back in Washington, debate is growing over President Trump’s handling of the crisis. Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari, the youngest woman in Congress and of Iranian descent, expressed her deep unease on BBC’s Newsday. “We have a president who changes his mind on a daily basis. Nobody believes what he says,” she remarked, cautioning against a repeat of the Iraq war. “Iranians are not the regime. They’ve been held hostage since 1979. They don’t deserve bombardment.” She called on the administration to prioritise diplomacy over force: “We must not allow unnecessary loss of life.”
Despite the flurry of diplomacy, analysts remain cautious. The Geneva meetings offer a rare glimmer of hope, but also highlights the fragility of the situation. This marks the first formal dialogue between Western officials and Iran since hostilities resumed, but mutual distrust runs deep. Whether the talks in Geneva succeed or whether missiles continue to fly, may well determine the fate of an already unstable region.
