Iranian FM says continuing nuclear talks with US unjustifiable

TEHRAN -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday stressed that the continuation of indirect negotiations between his country and the United States amid Israel's "continued brutality" is unjustifiable.

He made the remarks in a phone call with the European Union (EU)'s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas while describing Israel's hostile actions as a result of US direct supports, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Araghchi stressed that to protect its national sovereignty, people and security, Iran had given a decisive response to Israel's "aggression" and was determined to use its "legitimate" right to take countermeasures.

He censured a recent anti-Iran resolution proposed by France, Britain, Germany and the United States that was adopted at the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency about Tehran's nuclear program, saying that resolution provided a pretext for Israel's attacks against Iran's nuclear facilities.

Araghchi strongly condemned the Israeli actions of violating Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity and attacking the country's nuclear facilities and residential areas. He called for a decisive global response to and the international condemnation of Israel's "aggression".

Kallas, for her part, expressed deep regret and concern over the escalation of tensions in the West Asia region, and voiced the EU's readiness to support diplomatic efforts at the UN Security Council and other international bodies to help reduce tensions and restore peace and security to the region.

Starting since April, Iran and the United States have held five rounds of Omani-mediated indirect talks on Tehran's nuclear program and the removal of US sanctions. The sixth round was scheduled to be held on Sunday in the Omani capital Muscat.

Israel early Friday launched airstrikes on Iran's capital Tehran and other cities across the country, killing a number of top Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians.

Iran on Friday night responded to the attacks by launching a salvo of ballistic missiles against military targets in Israel.

Commenting on Iran's decision about taking part in the sixth round of the talks with the United States, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said, "Under the present circumstances, our main focus is on confronting the enemy's aggression."