Iran rejects Qatar draft ending US-led war

An eight-month conflict between the United States and Iran has entered a diplomatic stalemate as Tehran dismissed a mediation draft from Doha.

Qatar presented the proposal to Iranian negotiators on Sunday in an effort to end the war. A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday that the country could not proceed with the terms presented. The official stated that Tehran would show no flexibility on the nuclear issue. Earlier this month, US Vice President JD Vance said Iran must lower its nuclear enrichment levels to stop the fighting. Iranian leaders have consistently maintained that their nuclear program serves only domestic, non-military needs.

The diplomatic impasse occurs as military leaders in the region prepare for potential new strikes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promoted the idea of fresh attacks as he campaigns for re-election in Israel's parliamentary elections. With 77 percent of votes counted, Netanyahu's bloc emerged as the largest in the Knesset. On Wednesday, as talks began to form a new government, Netanyahu said he would work with US President Donald Trump to eliminate what he called an existential threat from Iran. His main opponent, Gadi Eisenkot, also backed strikes on Iran paired with economic pressure.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any attack instigated by Israel in the Gulf would severely hurt global markets. In a post on X, Araghchi wrote that a military misadventure in the Persian Gulf region remains a major concern for gas suppliers and consumers. He described the potential impact on international markets as devastating.

Economic risks are compounded by ongoing fighting in Yemen. Saudi Arabia and the Iran-aligned Houthis continue their conflict. The Houthis, known officially as Ansar Allah, called for the evacuation of Aden Airport on Wednesday. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree wrote on X that a Saudi military cargo plane carrying weapons was present at the airport, which serves as the seat of the Saudi-backed government. He urged people to leave the premises immediately.

Military sources from both sides told AFP that nearly 100 fighters have died since Monday in the Yemen conflict. At least 63 Houthi fighters and 34 combatants linked to the internationally recognized government were killed. Most of the deaths occurred near the Bab al-Mandab Strait.