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Iran-Israel war: latest developments Jerusalem, June 21 (AFP) Jun 21, 2025 Israel's war with Iran has entered its second week with Israel's foreign minister saying its strikes have delayed Tehran's potential to develop a nuclear weapon by at least two or three years. Here are the latest developments:
"22 people were identified and arrested on charges of being linked to the Zionist regime's spy services, disturbing public opinion and supporting the criminal regime," Fars news agency reported, citing the head of police intelligence in Iran's Qom province. A European national was also arrested for spying, Tasnim reported on Friday, without giving their nationality or the date of the arrest. Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights said at least 223 people have been arrested nationwide on charges related to collaboration with Israel, cautioning that the actual figure was likely higher.
Around 40 diplomats are due to join the weekend gathering of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, as Israel and Iran continue to exchange missile strikes. "At this meeting, at the suggestion of Iran, the issue of the Zionist regime's attack on our country will be specifically addressed," said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to the news agency.
"According to the assessment we hear, we already delayed for at least two or three years the possibility for them to have a nuclear bomb," Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said in an interview. Western powers have repeatedly expressed concerns about the rapid expansion of Iran's nuclear programme, questioning in particular the country's accelerated uranium enrichment. The International Atomic Energy Agency said that Iran is the only country without nuclear weapons to enrich uranium to 60 percent. However, it added that there was no evidence it had all the components to make a functioning nuclear warhead.
"We have embarked on the most complex campaign in our history to remove a threat of such magnitude, against such an enemy. We must be ready for a prolonged campaign," Zamir said in a video statement to Israelis. Israel launched attacks against Iran on June 13, which have combined targeted assassinations of key military personnel and nuclear scientists with strikes on Iran's nuclear and missile facilities. Zamir said Israelis needed to brace for more difficulties, as the country comes under frequent attack from Iranian ballistic missiles.
Referring to nuclear negotiations with Washington that had been derailed by the war, Araghchi said Iran is ready to consider diplomacy "once the aggression is stopped". Tehran did "support the continuation of discussion with" the European countries and was willing "to meet again in the near future", Araghchi told reporters. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot urged Iran to resume negotiations with all sides "without awaiting the cessation of strikes".
"Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us," he said. He also said Iran had a "maximum" of two weeks to avoid possible US air strikes, indicating he could make a decision before the fortnight deadline he set a day earlier. burs-csp/dcp
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