Israel and Iran on the brink of war: diplomacy in Geneva amid escalating conflict

Is it possible to stop a war when missiles are flying and diplomacy is being conducted under fire? The conflict between Israel and Iran, which escalated in June 2025, is gaining momentum, but at the same time, negotiations are beginning in Geneva that may be the last chance to avoid a full-scale war in the Middle East. What are the chances for peace and what is at stake for the region and the world?

Escalation of the conflict: Israeli strikes and Iran's response

Since early June 2025, Israel has carried out a series of targeted airstrikes on key Iranian military and nuclear facilities. According to reports Reuters and BBC, the strikes targeted the Arak nuclear reactor, ballistic missile facilities, and command posts of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Iran responded by launching massive missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Haifa. According to Caliber.az, civilians were injured as a result of the shelling, in particular, a hospital in the city of Beersheba was hit.

Diplomatic efforts: talks in Geneva

Amid the fighting in Geneva, negotiations began on June 20, 2025, between Iran and EU representatives, including the foreign ministers of France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the head of European diplomacy, Kaia Kallas. The Iranian side was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi[3].

The talks are aimed at finding a diplomatic way out of the crisis, including discussing Iran's nuclear program and possible ways to de-escalate. However, as reported by BBC, Iran said it would not negotiate while Israeli attacks continued.

Positions of the parties: tension and uncertainty

Israel insists on the need to stop Iran's nuclear program, considering it a threat to regional security. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant has stated that the country will continue operations until Iran abandons its nuclear ambitions.[1]

Iran, for its part, maintains that its nuclear activities are exclusively peaceful and accuses Israel of provocations. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei rejects US and Israeli demands and threatens to respond to any interference.[4]

International response and the role of mediators

The international community is calling for restraint. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned of the risk of an uncontrolled conflict and urged all parties to give diplomacy a chance.[1]

Russia and China have called for an immediate ceasefire and a return to negotiations. The US, in turn, is considering a more active involvement, but no formal decisions have yet been made.[1]

Qatar is acting as a mediator in contacts between the US and Iran, trying to reduce tensions[1].

Prospects for the development of the conflict

Analysts warn that without a quick diplomatic breakthrough, the conflict could escalate into a full-scale war with unpredictable consequences for the Middle East and the world. The NATO summit in The Hague, scheduled for late June, will pay special attention to regional security.[3]

At the same time, as noted Live Trading News, hostilities continue, and both sides are preparing for further escalation.

Visnovok

The conflict between Israel and Iran is not just a confrontation between two countries, but a challenge for the entire international community. Diplomacy in Geneva is a chance to avoid a large-scale war, but this requires the will of the parties and the support of world leaders. Whether it will be possible to stop the fire and return to negotiations is a question on the agenda of the whole world.

Sources: Reuters, Caliber.az, Bernama, BBC, Live Trading News, Anadolu Agency, Ukrinform