Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi threatened to launch large-scale military strikes and cause damage far exceeding $100 billion if a new war breaks out.
Araghchi responded, via the “X” platform, to statements made by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during his visit to South Korea.
Mertz said that Germany has a strong economic interest in ending the conflict with Iran as soon as possible, noting that the rise in energy prices has cost Europe alone more than 100 billion euros.
Araqchi wrote on the “X” platform: “100 billion euros is worth nothing compared to the devastating blow that the powerful Iranian armed forces will deliver to those who dare to harm our people,” adding that red lines have become a thing of the past, according to what the German News Agency reported.
The Iranian Foreign Minister also accused Meretz of welcoming the US and Israeli air strikes on Iran last year, when he said that they were “doing the dirty work on behalf of Europe.”
Mertz had said in an interview with German TV Channel 2, ZDF, on June 17, 2025, on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada: “These are the dirty deeds that Israel is doing on behalf of all of us. We are also affected by this system.”
Meretz praised “the Israeli army and the Israeli leadership for taking this step,” and said: “Had it not been for that, we might have continued to witness this regime’s terrorism for months and years more, and this might have happened in light of its possession of a nuclear weapon.”
Meretz's statement about "dirty work" sparked widespread criticism. The German Chancellor later said: “I described it this way, and it is not necessary to repeat it. “It can be expressed this way or another.”
Qatari mediators held intensive talks in Tehran on Friday, lasting more than 12 hours, in an attempt to reach an agreement that would pave the way for the resumption of direct negotiations between the United States and Iran, and avoid the outbreak of war following the US midterm elections, according to diplomatic sources quoted by Axios.
These talks are scheduled to continue on Saturday in the Qatari capital, Doha.
These diplomatic efforts come at a time when the United States may be just days away from launching a potential military operation against Iran, which could inflict serious damage on it and would likely require retaliatory strikes.
A diplomatic source said that the Qatari mediators remained in constant contact with the White House throughout the talks session, which lasted the entire day on Friday.
The source said: “Positive progress has been achieved, and talks are still ongoing in an attempt to reach an agreement between the United States and Iran.”
The Qatari side is pressuring Washington and Tehran to agree on a series of mutual steps, which can be implemented within a few days, with the aim of returning the two parties to the direct negotiating table regarding the Iranian nuclear program and other issues.
An American official explained that two conflicting demands have constituted the main obstacle to the talks so far. The administration of President Donald Trump insists that Iran make concessions on its nuclear file as a condition for resuming negotiations, while Tehran stipulates that the United States first lift the naval blockade, release the frozen funds, and allow it to sell oil.
In an attempt to bring points of view closer, Qatari mediators are seeking to persuade Iran to allow United Nations inspectors to visit its nuclear sites that were bombed, as a confidence-building step, in exchange for the United States easing some of the sanctions imposed on it.
Opinions differ within US President Donald Trump's inner circle regarding the path that should be followed in dealing with Iran.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed great skepticism about the possibility of reaching any nuclear agreement with the current Iranian regime.
Both believe that Trump's legacy should be to further weaken this regime, including through more military strikes, according to a US official.
The source added that Vice President J.D. Vance, along with Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, want to resume negotiations.
On the other hand, Trump himself expresses doubts about whether Iran will one day agree to an agreement that he finds acceptable.
“There are talks,” Trump told reporters on Friday. They want to talk, and they keep talking. Honestly, we have plenty of time. “It is a war, but it is not a conventional war.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Besent, who is leading an economic pressure campaign called Operation Economic Outcast, is one of Trump's closest aides.
Besant urges the US President to give this initiative a chance to achieve its results, instead of rushing to resume combat operations.
In a broader context, a regional source said that a number of countries in the region, including Türkiye, Iraq and Pakistan, are urging Iran to agree to resume negotiations before the US midterm elections.
A US official indicated that Trump may become more inclined to order a large-scale military operation if the Republican Party suffers a crushing defeat in the midterm elections.
The official said: “If Trump feels embarrassed or marginalized, he will take a bold step.” This is what everyone tells the Iranian side; “Their best chance to reach an agreement is now.”
On the other hand, a White House official confirmed that the election results will not be an influential factor in Trump’s decisions regarding Iran.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is putting pressure on Trump to launch a joint military operation against Iran immediately after the election.
