Iran-Israel War Enters Second Week, Europe Encourages Diplomacy

JAKARTA - The Israeli and Iranian wars are entering their second week today. European officials are trying to push Tehran back to the negotiating table after President Donald Trump said any decision on a potential US involvement will be made within two weeks.

Israel began attacking Iran last Friday with the aim of preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks against Israel. The country says its nuclear program is "dama."

Israeli airstrikes have killed 639 people in Iran, the news agency for Human Rights Activists said. Those killed included top military officials and nuclear scientists.

Meanwhile, Israel said 24 Israeli civilians were killed in Iranian missile attacks.

Reuters was unable to independently verify the death toll from both sides.

Israel is targeting nuclear facilities and missile capabilities, but has also attempted to destroy the government of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Western and regional officials.

"Are we targeting the fall of the regime? That may be the result, but it is up to the Iranian people to rise for their freedom," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday, June 19.

Iran said it was targeting military and defense locations in Israel, but also attacking hospitals and other civilian locations.

On Thursday, Israel accused Iran of deliberately targeting civilians through the use of bulk bombs, which spread small bombs in large areas. Iran's mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Since no country has relented, British, French and German foreign ministers and EU foreign policy chiefs are scheduled to meet in Geneva with Iran's foreign ministers to try to defuse the conflict on Friday.

"Now is the time to stop the serious situation in the Middle East and prevent regional escalation that will not benefit anyone," said British Foreign Minister David Lemmy ahead of a meeting with Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping both criticized Israel and agreed a de-escalation was needed.

Meanwhile, the role of the United States is still uncertain. On Thursday in Washington, Lemmy met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's special envoy to the region, Steve Witkoff, and said they discussed a possible deal.

Witkoff has spoken to Araghchi several times since last week, sources said.

Meanwhile, Trump has alternated between threatening Tehran and urging him to continue suspended nuclear negotiations due to the conflict.

Trump has considered attacking Iran, perhaps with a "vacuum destroyer" bomb that could destroy a nuclear site built deep underground.

The White House said Trump would decide in the next two weeks whether to engage in the war.