Israeli officials scramble to Rome as Iran warns against aggression
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CNN and Axios have both reported that "Israel" is drawing up plans for a rapid military strike against Iranian nuclear sites if negotiations break down.
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Police patrol outside the Omani Embassy in Rome during a closed-door meeting between us and Iranian delegations to discuss Tehran's nuclear program, Saturday, April 19, 2025 (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Axios reported Thursday that Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad Director David Barnea are rushing to Rome for last-minute consultations with US officials, as diplomatic momentum builds around Iran's position on its nuclear rights.
The Israeli delegation is expected to meet with US envoy Steve Witkoff on the sidelines of the upcoming round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, scheduled for Friday in the Italian capital. According to Israeli sources cited by Axios, Dermer and Barnea are seeking to closely coordinate with Washington and be briefed immediately after the discussions—an indication of "Israel's" discomfort with being sidelined in negotiations that could affirm Iran's sovereign right to peaceful nuclear technology.
CNN and Axios have both reported that "Israel" is drawing up plans for a rapid military strike against Iranian nuclear sites if negotiations break down. One Israeli official told Axios that the "operational window for a successful strike could close soon," suggesting that "Israel" is considering "preemptive action" to obstruct Iran’s sovereign and peaceful nuclear program, despite the absence of any legal basis for such aggression.
Nuclear Warning
In response to these threats, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sent a formal letter to the UN Secretary-General and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warning that Iran may relocate its nuclear materials to protect them from potential Israeli attacks.
"Under conditions wherein threats made by the Zionist fanatics persist, the Islamic Republic of Iran shall be left with no recourse but to implement special measures for the protection of its nuclear facilities and materials, the relevant particulars of which shall thereafter be communicated to the IAEA," Araghchi wrote.
Araghchi reiterated that Iran's nuclear program remains peaceful and fully in line with IAEA safeguards, and stressed that any attempt to sabotage or attack Iran's facilities would be met with a decisive response.
In the same letter, he held Washington accountable for enabling Israeli aggression: "Iran strongly warns against any adventurism by the Israeli Zionist regime and will respond decisively to any threats or unlawful actions by this regime. We also believe that if any attack is carried out against the nuclear facilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran by the Israeli regime, the US government will be complicit and bear legal responsibility."
Read more: Iran unveils vision for homegrown West Asian security framework
Talks are expected to resume in Rome on May 23, with Oman acting as mediator. Iran has consistently reaffirmed its commitments under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and its nuclear activities remain under IAEA oversight.
