Iran says real dialogue can’t happen while under attack.
Tehran is hurting. The summer heat now shares space with sorrow, after recent Israeli strikes left hundreds dead, including scientists and children. The June 13 attacks hit nuclear and military locations, shaking the nation to its core.
Iran didn’t wait long. Missiles flew back in response, lighting the skies and deepening tensions. Then, on June 21, the U.S. entered the conflict, hitting key Iranian nuclear sites—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—with airstrikes of its own.
Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, spoke with a heavy heart. He said if the U.S. truly wants diplomacy, it needs to stop sending missiles. “Talks can’t happen while bombs are falling,” he warned.
Tehran maintains that its nuclear efforts are focused on peaceful research. But many in Iran feel the U.S. is playing both sides—calling for peace while fueling conflict. That, they say, erodes any chance at trust.
Despite the damage, not all doors are closed. Countries like Qatar are quietly pushing both sides toward peace. But time is short, and patience is thinner than ever. “If America wants trust,” said Takht-Ravanchi, “it must stop threatening us.”
For now, the bombs have stopped. But with scars still raw and fears still high, Iran’s streets remain tense. Whether diplomacy wins or violence returns, only time will tell.
