Iran was warned of possible Israeli strike by ally, official tells Reuters

Iran will not bow to American pressure, President Masoud Pezeshkian said Thursday, accusing the US of regional destabilization.

“Those who plundered the world now accuse Iranian officials, while our nation serves with full commitment.” Pezeshkian said in a speech in Ilam province.

“They want to portray Iran as weak, but they don’t know the Iranian people.”

Referring to the country’s long history and cultural legacy, he said, “For 47 years, they’ve failed to make us surrender—and they still won’t.”

Senior Iranian military and government officials have convened to discuss potential responses in the event of an Israeli attack, the New York Times reported Wednesday.

Citing a senior Iranian official, the paper wrote, “Iranian military and government officials have already met to discuss their response to a potential Israeli strike.”

According to US and European officials quoted in the report, Israel appears to be preparing to launch an attack on Iran soon, prompting heightened alert in Tehran.

The sixth round of indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States will take place in Muscat this Sunday, June 15, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi confirmed Thursday.

“I am pleased to confirm the 6th round of Iran US talks will be held in Muscat this Sunday the 15th,” Albusaidi wrote on X.

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet Iran’s foreign minister in Muscat on Sunday to review Tehran’s response to Washington’s latest proposal, Barak Ravid of Axios reported Wednesday on X.

However, diplomatic sources have suggested the meeting may be postponed or canceled due to rising tensions between the two sides.

Iran must be permanently denied any nuclear or missile capability, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said Wednesday, calling it an “existential threat” to Israel, the United States, and the Persian Gulf region.

Witkoff, who was speaking at a United Hatzalah gala in New York, confirmed he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier that day and praised President Donald Trump’s support for Israel.

“We must stand resolute and united against this danger and ensure that Iran never obtains the means to achieve its deadly ambitions no matter what the cost,” he said.