Germany says Iran must show seriousness on enrichment and missiles ahead of Geneva talks

Supporters of Venezuela’s government marched through Caracas on June 19, 2025, expressing solidarity with Iran amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.

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French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday called on Iran to return to the negotiating table and show willingness to curb its nuclear and regional activities.

He stressed that any talks must include Iran’s financing of regional proxies and that the IAEA must be allowed to continue its inspections to prevent nuclear enrichment.

Commenting on the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, Macron said strikes on energy infrastructure and civilian areas “must absolutely stop,” adding that “nothing justifies attacks on civil nuclear facilities or the civilian population.”

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Friday he is heading to Geneva for nuclear talks with Iran, urging Tehran to demonstrate “serious willingness” to renounce weapons-grade enrichment and include its missile program in negotiations.

“This requires Iran's serious willingness to renounce any enrichment of nuclear material, which could lead to nuclear weaponization. This also requires that the missile program can be included. If this serious willingness exists, then the consequence on our part will also be that we are prepared to hold further talks.”

Speaking ahead of his departure, Wadephul said, “The ball is now in Iran’s court,” adding that Germany remains committed to Israel’s security, which he called part of the country’s “raison d’être.”

“But the ball is now in Iran's court and Israel can rely on Germany to always keep an eye on and defend the security and existence of the Israeli state. That is part of our raison d'être, and that is also my guiding principle in today's talks.”

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An Israeli rocket struck a hospital in Tehran early Friday, a spokesperson for Iran’s health ministry said, according to state media.

The official did not name the hospital.

The spokesperson said it was the third hospital targeted since the start of the conflict and added that six ambulances and a primary healthcare center had also been hit.

Israeli media reported Friday that initial assessments suggest a nuclear scientist was killed in an Israeli strike on Tehran.

According to Iran’s Shargh daily, informed sources said the target of the explosion in Tehran’s Gisha district Friday noon was indeed a nuclear scientist.

Israel hit a residential building in the Gisha district, damaging several buildings.