Trump opens two-week window for Iran diplomacy amid escalating conflict with Israel
Washington DC: US President Donald Trump has granted a two-week window for diplomatic engagement with Iran before deciding on possible military intervention, even as Israel continues its bombing campaign targeting Iranian infrastructure, according to a CNN report.
Trump and his advisers are hoping that sustained Israeli strikes and Iran’s missile losses may pressure Tehran into halting its uranium enrichment, a core demand from Washington that Iran has long resisted. The temporary pause in escalation is also being seen as a calculated move by Trump to avoid entangling the United States in another prolonged foreign conflict.
Despite suggestions of sending Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Vice President JD Vance to the region, both remain in Washington as no formal negotiations have been scheduled. Meanwhile, European foreign ministers from Britain, Germany, and France are set to meet with Iranian representatives in Geneva on Friday to revisit Witkoff’s earlier proposal.
However, Tehran has reiterated it will not engage in talks with the US unless Israel ceases its bombing campaign. Iranian officials have accused Washington of failing to restrain Israeli aggression, further hardening their stance.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that diplomacy remains on the table, but warned of American military strength if diplomacy fails. "Iran and the entire world should know that the United States military is the strongest and most lethal fighting force in the world," she said.
Inside the Situation Room, Trump has reviewed multiple military options, including the possible use of bunker-buster bombs on Iran's underground nuclear facility at Fordow. However, concerns over the potential for a multi-year war have led Trump and several of his advisers, including former strategist Steve Bannon, to approach the situation with caution.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been in active contact with allies, stressing the need to ensure Iran never acquires nuclear weapons. Ahead of Friday's Geneva meeting, Rubio spoke with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who reiterated, "Iran can never develop or acquire a nuclear weapon."
A senior White House official described the upcoming Geneva talks as a "temperature check" to assess Iran's willingness to engage diplomatically amid escalating hostilities.
Special Envoy Witkoff has maintained indirect channels with Tehran, but there has been no sign of a shift in Iran’s position through third-party mediators.
Tensions between Israel and Iran have sharply escalated since June 13, when Israel launched Operation "Rising Lion," striking targets linked to Iran’s nuclear program. Iran responded with retaliatory missile attacks, marking a dangerous new phase in the conflict.
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1,600 Indians travel to India on 5 Qatar Airways flights amid airspace curbs
Doha (PTI): Around 1,600 Indian nationals travelled to India on five Qatar Airways flights on Tuesday, even as the airline continues to operate limited services due to restrictions on Qatar's airspace, the Indian Embassy here said.
The flights included two services to Delhi and one each to Mumbai, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, the embassy said in a social media post.
"In total, about 1600 Indian nationals travelled on Qatar Airways flights today," it said.
The mission noted that Qatar's airspace remains largely closed and Qatar Airways is currently operating only limited, non-scheduled flights.
The airline has announced services to nine Indian destinations starting Wednesday, and passengers can make bookings through the Qatar Airways website, mobile application or authorised travel agents.
The embassy said it continues to facilitate temporary Saudi transit visas for stranded Indian nationals wishing to travel to India via Saudi Arabia by crossing the Salwa land border.
The mission will remain open on all days in the coming week to provide consular services, including issuance of passports, while its control room and helplines through phone, email and WhatsApp will continue to function on a 24/7 basis.
It urged the Indian community to follow instructions issued by Qatari authorities and exercise responsibility in sharing information to help maintain public safety and community stability.
The embassy and Indian community organisations have also collaborated to support members of the Indian fishermen community in Qatar by providing dry rations to those in need.
Tensions in West Asia continue to escalate following the US-Israel strikes on Iran since February 28.
