By Staff Reporter
The ninth day of war between Israel and Iran saw no signs of slowing, despite diplomatic efforts in Geneva and growing pressure on the US to intervene. President Trump said he’d wait up to two weeks before deciding on military involvement, even as Israeli strikes intensified. European ministers met with Iran’s top diplomat, but talks ended without progress. Tehran signalled openness to more dialogue — if the attacks stop. Meanwhile, Israel vowed to press on, framing Iran’s nuclear capabilities as an existential threat. With diplomacy stalled and military threats escalating, the region stands on a knife’s edge. Follow all the updates here:
22 arrested for links to Israeli spy services
Police in Iran’s Qom province said Saturday that 22 people “linked to Israeli spy services” had been arrested since June 13, Fars news agency reported.
“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,” the agency stated, citing the head of police intelligence in Iran’s Qom province.
Iran’s foreign minister arrived in Istanbul on Saturday, Tasnim news agency reported, for a meeting with Arab League diplomats to discuss Tehran’s escalating conflict with Israel.
Around 40 diplomats are slated to join the weekend gathering of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as Israel and Iran continue to exchange missile strikes.
“The Foreign Minister arrived in Istanbul this morning to participate in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ meeting,” Tasnim reported.
It comes after Araghchi met with his counterparts from Britain, France and Germany in Geneva on Friday.
“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 Abbas Araghchi, according to the news agency
Meanwhile , International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi warned of the risk of nuclear contamination from Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Attacks on nuclear sites in Iran have caused a sharp degradation in nuclear safety and security in the country. Though they have not so far led to a radiological release affecting the public, there is a danger this could occur, said Grossi.
In his briefing at an emergency meeting of the Security Council, Grossi said that although the level of radioactivity outside the Natanz site after an Israeli attack has remained unchanged and at normal levels, there is both radiological and chemical contamination within the facility, Xinhua news agency reported.
“The radiation, primarily consisting of alpha particles, poses a significant danger if inhaled or ingested. This risk can be effectively managed with appropriate protective measures, such as using respiratory devices. The main concern inside the facility is chemical toxicity,” he said.
Fordow is Iran’s main enrichment location for enriching uranium to 60 per cent. The IAEA is not aware of any damage at Fordow at this time, he said.
At the Esfahan nuclear site, four buildings were damaged in the June 13 attack. No increase in off-site radiation levels was reported. As in Natanz, the main concern is chemical toxicity, he noted.
The attacks on other nuclear facilities have had no radiological impact, said Grossi. Read the full story…
Source: Gulf News
