Continuing nuclear talks with US 'unjustifiable', says Iranian foreign minister

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has said continuing nuclear talks with the US is "unjustifiable".

Abbas Araqchi told Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign policy chief, that given the current situation and what he calls the "savagery" of Israel, talks can't be justified, BBC reports.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump still appears optimistic and has called on Iran to accept the nuclear deal.

The president wrote on Truth Social early Friday, "I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to 'just do it,' but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn't get it done." He went on:

"Certain Iranian hardliner's spoke bravely, but they didn't know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!" Trump said. 

"Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE."

So far, the US and Iran have held five rounds of talks, mediated by Oman in April and May.

The main sticking point is said to be uranium enrichment on Iranian soil.

Recent strikes on Iran's nuclear sites mean it will take time for the country to rebuild its previous facilities.

Tehran says nuclear negotiations with US 'meaningless'

Iran has said their administration was still undecided about participating in the scheduled nuclear negotiations with the United States in Oman on Sunday in view of Israel's recent attacks.

Tehran said Israeli strikes were conducted with Washington's approval and therefore render negotiations with the US "meaningless", BBC reports.

Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai told state TV on Saturday that a final decision about attending the planned sixth round of talks over Iran's nuclear programme remains unclear.

On Friday, Baqai declared there was "no point" in continuing the talks following Israeli strikes, which killed multiple senior military officials and nuclear scientists.

On Thursday, the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency formally declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in 20 years.

UK to work with allies to support diplomatic resolution 

The spokesperson says Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman this afternoon.

"They discussed the gravely concerning situation in the Middle East and agreed on the need to de-escalate," the spokesperson says.

The statement adds that the UK is ready to work closely with its allies in the coming days to support a diplomatic resolution.