European nations lead push for de-escalation in Israel-Iran war

GENEVA: Talks aimed at de-escalating the week-long war between Israel and Iran got under way in Geneva on Friday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is meeting counterparts from the UK, France and Germany to discuss what he called "nuclear and regional issues" around the ongoing conflict. French President Emmanuel Macron is among those leaders urging Iran to return to negotiations over its nuclear program.

Oil prices fell following a report from Reuters that Iran is ready to discuss limitations on uranium enrichment, but won't consider stopping entirely while it's under military attacks. Before negotiations with the US were suspended, Tehran had signalled its willingness to accept some restrictions on its enrichment activities, while Israel and US have said the Islamic Republic shouldn't be allowed to enrich uranium at all.

Araghchi on Friday accused Israel of derailing the diplomacy with its strikes, telling the United Nations Human Rights Council that Iranian officials were scheduled to hold a next round of indirect talks with their US counterparts to "craft a promising agreement" that would make progress in resolving the nuclear issue.