Israeli defense minister rules out talks with Iran as cross-border conflict intensifies

JERUSALEM -- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that Israel is not engaged in any negotiations with Iran to halt the deadly aerial conflict that began with a large-scale Israeli strike on Friday.

"We are not engaged in any negotiations, and we will not allow harm to Israeli civilians," Katz told reporters during a visit to Herzliya, a coastal city north of Tel Aviv, where a missile fired from Iran struck earlier.

Katz said Israel would continue its offensive until Iran is no longer capable of launching missiles against Israeli territory.

Asked whether the United States might join Israel's military campaign, Katz said Washington was already assisting in defending Israel against some of the Iranian attacks.

"At the moment, it is assisting us in defending against some of the attacks," he said. "The decisions of the US president are the decisions of the United States. We will respect any decision and appreciate any assistance."

The conflict erupted on Friday when Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran, declaring its goal was to dismantle Iran's nuclear program.

Iranian officials say the Israeli strikes have killed hundreds of people, including civilians. Fatemeh Mohajerani, a spokeswoman for the Iranian government, said on Monday that 45 women and children were among the dead.

In Israel, both military and residential sites have been struck, with 24 people killed, according to Israeli authorities.