Iranian Official Calls Qatari Mediation Ideas Unacceptable as Source Describes Draft Deal
October 28 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – A senior Iranian official dismissed ideas presented by Qatari mediators as unacceptable, after another official briefed on the negotiations said Tehran was considering a draft agreement to end the war with the United States and Israel.
The official briefed on the talks, who is not Iranian, told Reuters that Qatar presented the draft on Sunday and that a response was expected by the end of the week.
The proposal sets out seven days of reciprocal confidence-building measures addressing Iranian and US concerns, the official said. Implementation could begin early next week, with several countries acting as guarantors.
A senior Iranian official involved in the negotiations subsequently said Qatar had presented “unacceptable ideas and not an offer” and that Tehran’s refusal to show flexibility on the nuclear issue remained unchanged.
The differing accounts reflect a continuing dispute over the sequence of negotiations. Washington wants Iran’s nuclear program included from the outset. Tehran says its conditions, including an end to the US blockade of Iranian ports and the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil exports, must be met first.
Qatar and Pakistan have led mediation efforts to end the conflict, which began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28. An interim agreement reached in June quickly unraveled.
The latest draft differs from a seven-day proposal Iran presented in September, according to the official briefed on the talks. Under that earlier plan, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the Strait of Hormuz could reopen if certain conditions were met. US President Donald Trump rejected it.
Diplomatic efforts have continued alongside further regional fighting. Senior Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani officials met Iranian officials in Tehran on Monday, while Qatar said on Tuesday that Iran should stop threatening Arab Gulf states and open Hormuz to demonstrate good intentions.
Oil prices rose more than 1% to above $115 a barrel on Wednesday after a Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura refinery heightened supply concerns.
Trump repeated his threat to strike Iran on Friday. Iranian security officials told Reuters that Tehran had prepared detailed plans to attack Gulf undersea cables if the United States and Israel resumed attacks.
Source: Reuters.
