Drones helped locate Iran missile launchers during June war, Israeli firm says

“The United States is obligated to provide full reparation for the material and moral damages inflicted as a result of the military attacks against Iran,” Amir-Saeid Iravani wrote.

“The aggressive action conducted by Israel in coordination with the United States targeted Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and constitutes a clear violation of the UN Charter.”

A November 25 statement by the US Air Force, Iravani said, publicly confirmed the use of B-2 bombers and F-35 fighters in Operation Midnight Hammer, which targeted Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan.

He also cited previous remarks by the US president acknowledging Washington’s part in the operation.

The new Air Force release detailed how the F-35s of the 388th Fighter Wing “were the first aircraft to penetrate Iranian airspace, suppressing enemy air defenses and escorting the B-2s to target areas.”

Iravani wrote, "UN bodies cannot remain silent” given Washington’s acknowledgments, urging them to take steps “to ensure accountability of the United States and the Israeli authorities and bring the perpetrators of these grave violations to justice.”

Washington earlier engaged Tehran over its nuclear program with a 60-day deadline. On June 13, a day after the ultimatum expired, Israel launched a surprise campaign that ended with US strikes on June 22.

Iran responded to the Fordow attack with missile fire at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. US president Donald Trump dismissed the Iranian attack as "a very weak response" and thanked Iran for giving the US early notice about the strikes.

“It is now dangerous to approach nuclear installations because of security issues,” Araghchi told France 24 in Paris. “There are unexploded munitions, and there are also concerns regarding radioactivity and chemical contamination.”

He said inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency continue at facilities that were not attacked, but access to damaged sites requires “a new framework and proper modalities.”

Araghchi called last week’s resolution by the IAEA’s 35-nation Board of Governors “a political and unilateral decision,” saying it ignored the reality that Iranian nuclear sites had been bombed. “If you do not include the realities on the ground, then you are committing an error,” he said.

The minister said the Cairo agreement reached earlier this year with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi had acknowledged that conditions had changed after the attacks and that a new inspection protocol would be needed.

Further attacks possible

Asked whether more strikes could occur, Araghchi said Israel’s recent record suggested the risk remains. “The Israeli regime over the last two years has attacked seven different countries,” he said. “So it’s clear that another attack is possible.”

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  IAEA wants full reengagement with Iran, chief says

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  Iran no longer enriching uranium after US, Israeli strikes, Araghchi says

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His comments came a day after IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in Manila that the agency wants to “fully reengage with Iran” to restore inspection access and verify enrichment activities. The IAEA’s 35-member Board of Governors last week passed a resolution calling on Tehran to inform it “without delay” about the status of its enriched uranium stock and sites hit in June’s strikes.

Iran condemned the vote as “illegal and unjustified,” saying it undermined the Cairo inspection accord that Grossi reached with Tehran in September through Egyptian mediation. Araghchi accused Western powers of “killing” that agreement, saying it had provided a framework for cooperation before Israel and the United States bombed enrichment facilities during the 12-day conflict in June.

No enrichment after attacks

Earlier this month, Araghchi said Iran was no longer enriching uranium at any site in the country, citing the destruction caused by the attacks. “There is no enrichment right now because our facilities — our enrichment facilities — have been attacked,” he said in response to a question from an Associated Press journalist at a conference in Tehran. “There is no undeclared nuclear enrichment in Iran. All of our facilities are under the safeguards and monitoring” of the IAEA.

Iran had previously enriched uranium up to 60% purity — just short of weapons-grade levels — after the United States withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018. Tehran says its atomic program is entirely peaceful.

“The Government committed to taking this step following Australian Security Intelligence Organization‘s assessment that the IRGC had orchestrated attacks against Australia's Jewish Community,” the Canberra government said.

In August, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, flanked by Australia’s domestic spy chief, publicly said the IRGC orchestrated the arson attacks on the Lewis' Continental Kitchen in Sydney in October 2024 and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne in December 2024.

Australian domestic spy agency Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) assessed that the IRGC used a “complex web of proxies” to carry out attacks on Australian soil.

“These cowardly attacks on Australian soil were designed to undermine and sow division in our multicultural society, by targeting Jewish Australians to inflict harm and stoke fear.”

The Australian government responded to the attacks by passing the Criminal Code Amendment (State Sponsors of Terrorism) Act 2025, which creates a new framework allowing the Government to respond to state-sponsored terrorism.

Under the new law, the government may designate a foreign state entity that “has engaged in, or otherwise supported or advocated for, the doing of terrorist acts targeted at Australia.”

The IRGC is the first listing of a state sponsor of terrorism under the new framework.

While the IRGC has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States since 2019, this is the first time Canberra is listing a foreign state entity under its federal terrorism framework.

The dispute erupted with an interview by Ali Akbar Velayati, senior foreign policy adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who said that the existence of Hezbollah is more important than food for Lebanon.

“Given Israel’s desire to kill and plunder other lands today, Hezbollah’s existence is more essential than bread and water for Lebanon,” Tasnim News cited Velayati.

Lebanon Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi responded to such statement, addressing Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

“I truly wished to believe that Iran does not interfere in Lebanon’s internal affairs, until I saw Mr. Velayati’s statement,” Raggi posted on X.

“What is more important than water and bread for us is our sovereignty, freedom, and independent decision-making, far from ideological slogans and cross-border agendas that have destroyed our country and continue to push us toward ruin,” he added.

‘Focus on people in Iran’

Lebanese Forces party leader Samir Geagea joined the fray, addressing Ali Khamenei and Velayati, calling on them to move their attention to the needs of people in Iran.

“If you cared about the sorrows of the Iranian people, that would be better for all of us. Lebanon is an independent state with its constitution and democratically elected authorities; you have no right to interfere in its affairs.” Geagea posted on X.

“If only the Iranian people enjoyed what the Lebanese do when you don’t meddle in their affairs,” he added.

Lebanon's government, backed by UN Resolution 1701, pushes for Hezbollah to surrender weapons nationwide for state control.

Hezbollah insists it will only relinquish arms south of the Litani River once Israel fully withdraws and stops violations.

Tehran views surrender of Hezbollah’s weapons as capitulation to the US and Israel, and continues to fund and rearm the group.

“We are ready to negotiate and we have always been ready, the same as in 2015. In 2025 we were negotiating when America and Israel attacked us. We are still ready, but real negotiation needs to be serious,” France 24 cited Araghchi during an interview in Paris.

Asked about the mediation of Saudi Arabia between Iran and the United States, Araghchi said the problem at the moment is not intermediary and they are plenty, but the problem is Washington.

“When the American government ceases dictating and indicates they are ready for a proper agreement, then we can achieve a win-win relationship,” he added. “We are not in rush, and waiting for real negotiations, not just exaggerated requests.”

Reuters reported last week, citing two sources familiar with the exchange, that President Pezeshkian had urged the crown prince to help persuade US President Donald Trump to revive nuclear talks.

Trump said the United States was talking to Tehran, which he said "very badly” wanted a deal with Washington.

‘IAEA ignores war realities’

Araghchi criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors’ recent resolution as a ‘unilateral political decision’ that overlooks attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

“The board is a political body and the IAEA a technical one. The resolution ignores the realities on the ground, as if there was no war and our civilian facilities were not attacked,” Araghchi said. “New modalities are needed for attacked sites and must be negotiated with the agency.”

‘Prisoner exchange’

Araghchi said a prisoner swap with France is imminent but currently pending some judicial processes that need to be completed.

“An exchange was negotiated between us and France involving detained French nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, expected over the next one or two months,” he said.

Iran has released French prisoners Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris who had been detained since 2022 and the couple are currently residing in France embassy in Tehran.

Iran seeks the release of Mahdieh Esfandiari in France who was due to face trial in January on charges of ‘promoting acts of terrorism.’

Talks with France

While in Paris, Araghchi also met French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot for discussions on Iran’s nuclear program, detained French nationals, and regional issues, according to the French foreign ministry.

Barrot voiced “serious concern” over Iran’s nuclear activities and urged Tehran to “return without delay” to full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. He also raised the cases of Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, two French citizens currently staying at the French embassy in Tehran, and called for their rapid return to France.

The French statement said the ministers also discussed regional stability, including support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, efforts to maintain the Gaza ceasefire, and reviving prospects for a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians.

‘Never interfered in Lebanon’

Asked if Iran wants Hezbollah to attack Israel since the group is weak which resulted in weakness of Tehran too, Araghchi said Iran is not weak and does not interfere.

“We have never interfered in their affairs. It is the Lebanese army and Hezbollah who make their own decisions.” Araghchi said. “This erroneous interpretation of Iranian decline that you mention, is what encouraged Israel to attack us.”

Iran condemned Israel's recent airstrike on a densely populated area in Beirut's Dahiyeh suburb on November 23, 2025, which killed senior Hezbollah commander Haytham Ali Tabatabai.

‘real danger’

Araghchi called for a unified Syria under central authority to prevent regional chaos, accusing Israel of exploiting Bashar al-Assad’s fall to seize more territory.

“Israel attacked and occupied parts of Gaza, Palestine, and now Syria. The real danger is Israel,” he said.

Asked about Syria’s new leader Ahmad al-Sharaa’s hostility toward Tehran and openness to the US and Israel, Araghchi said: “Yes, like many other people, he is mistaken.”