Middle East Affairs
In a fresh diplomatic move, Iran has appealed to Qatar and Oman to mediate a ceasefire and restart stalled nuclear negotiations with the United States, amid intensifying Israeli military strikes. This was confirmed by sources familiar with the development, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
The request comes at a time of heightened regional tensions and reflects Iran’s growing urgency to bring an end to the ongoing hostilities. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is said to be quietly backing a ceasefire framework to pave the way for renewed diplomacy.
However, progress remains elusive. The U.S. has taken a firm stance, demanding that Iran fully halt all uranium enrichment activities before any talks or ceasefire can resume. Washington insists that only full compliance with its terms would bring Israeli operations to a stop.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, responded strongly, saying negotiations with the U.S., a key Israeli ally, are futile as long as Israeli military strikes continue. His comments underscore Tehran’s position that Israel must first suspend attacks for meaningful dialogue to begin.
In Israel, officials are watching the developments cautiously. While some are skeptical of Iran’s intentions, others believe Iran’s resistance to a new nuclear deal might draw the U.S. further into military coordination with Israel.
A senior U.S. official reaffirmed the Biden administration’s commitment to diplomacy:
“We remain committed to negotiations and hope the Iranians will come to the table soon.”
However, hopes for progress took a blow after planned diplomatic talks in Muscat were abruptly canceled, deepening uncertainty over the way forward.
This latest round of diplomatic maneuvering by Iran, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia highlights growing international concern over the escalating Middle East conflict—one that many fear could spiral out of control without a swift diplomatic breakthrough.
