Negotiations only path to end Iran crisis, European Commission President says

European Council President Antonio Costa called Sunday for restraint and renewed diplomatic efforts to avoid further escalation in the Middle East, warning that civilians would pay the highest price.

“I call on all parties to show restraint and respect for international law and nuclear safety,” Costa wrote on X.

"Diplomacy remains the only way to bring peace and security to the Middle East region. Too many civilians will once again be the victims of a further escalation," he said.

Tehran remained at the negotiating table while Israel and the United States blew up ongoing diplomatic efforts through military action, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday.

“Last week, we were in negotiations with the US when Israel decided to blow up that diplomacy. This week, we held talks with the E3/EU when the US decided to blow up that diplomacy,” Araghchi wrote.

“To Britain and the EU High Rep, it is Iran which must ‘return’ to the table. But how can Iran return to something it never left, let alone blew up?”

Iran will intensify its military response in the coming days and continue punitive action until clear results are achieved, a senior Iranian lawmaker said Sunday.

“The Zionists were overwhelmed, which is why the United States attacked Iran,” said Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a member of parliament’s national security committee.

"Israel’s economy and military standing have collapsed," he added, warning that "any miscalculation would carry severe consequences."

Two Iranian F-5 fighter jets and eight ballistic missile launchers, including six prepared for immediate attacks, were destroyed in overnight Israeli airstrikes across central Iran, the Israeli military said Sunday.

The operation, involving 20 fighter jets, struck dozens of targets across central Iran, the IDF added.

The strikes hit an explosives production facility, weapons storage and manufacturing sites, and Iranian air defense systems, according to the Israeli military.

Military infrastructure at Isfahan Airport was also targeted to prevent further use by the Iranian Air Force, the military said.

Iranian missiles struck Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s biological research center, and alternate command-and-control facilities, spokesperson for Revolutionary Gaurds' strikes on Israel said Sunday.

"The missiles used in the attack were guided munitions equipped with maneuverable warheads capable of terminal guidance and carrying high-explosive and destructive payloads," he added.