Iran rejects Qatar draft to end eight-month war with US
Tehran called the proposal unacceptable, citing a lack of flexibility on nuclear enrichment while Israeli and Gulf conflicts intensify.
By Luca Stewart ·
Qatar's effort to halt the eight-month war between Iran and the US-led coalition has stalled after Tehran rejected the latest draft.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday that the proposal presented by Qatari mediators on Sunday was unacceptable. The official stated that Iran would demonstrate no flexibility regarding its nuclear program. This stance contrasts with remarks made earlier this month by US Vice President JD Vance, who said Iran must reduce nuclear enrichment to end the conflict. Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear activities are for non-military domestic use.
The diplomatic impasse occurs as fears grow that the US and Israel may resume military strikes against Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promoted the prospect of new attacks while campaigning for re-election in Israel's parliamentary elections. With 77 percent of votes counted, Netanyahu's bloc currently holds the largest share of seats in the Knesset. On Wednesday, as talks began to form a new government, Netanyahu announced he would collaborate with US President Donald Trump to eliminate what he described as an existential threat from Iran. His main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, has also advocated for strikes on Iran combined with economic pressure.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on Wednesday that any Israeli-instigated attack in the Gulf region would have a devastating impact on global markets. Araghchi noted in a post on X that this risk remains a major concern for gas suppliers and consumers. The potential for renewed conflict in the Gulf is compounded by ongoing fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen.
The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, called for the immediate evacuation of Aden Airport on Wednesday. Their spokesperson, Yahya Saree, stated that a Saudi military cargo plane carrying weapons intended to kill Yemeni people was present at the facility. Aden serves as the seat of the Saudi-backed government in southern Yemen.
Military sources from both sides told AFP that nearly 100 fighters have been killed in the Yemen conflict since Monday. The toll includes at least 63 Houthi fighters and 34 combatants associated with the internationally recognized government. Most of the fatalities occurred near the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The war, which began in February, has already caused massive disruption to the global economy by sending energy prices soaring.
Source: Middle East Eye
