Iran has long accused Israel of targeting its nuclear program through covert operations. Israeli officials, in turn, have hinted at potential strikes on Iran's nuclear sites. This exchange of threats that has intensified amid ongoing hostilities between the two nations since Israel's attacks on Hezbollah, a long-standing ally.

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that the country is ready for nuclear negotiations, depending on how serious the other parties are in this regard. He made the statement following a meeting with visiting Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi earlier in the day in the Iranian capital,