DUBAI: Iran has rejected calls for a ceasefire while it remains under Israeli assault, informing mediators from Qatar and Oman that it will not engage in negotiations until it completes its military response, a regional official told.
“The Iranians informed Qatari and Omani mediators that they will only pursue serious negotiations once Iran has completed its response to the Israeli pre-emptive strikes,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.
The official emphasized that Iran made it “clear that it will not negotiate while under attack,” countering media reports suggesting Tehran had appealed to the U.S. for a ceasefire or a resumption of nuclear talks through regional intermediaries.
The standoff comes as both Iran and Israel continue to launch fresh attacks, raising international concern over the potential for a wider regional conflict. Israel’s surprise assault on Friday targeted top Iranian military leadership and damaged nuclear infrastructure. The Israeli government has stated the operation will intensify in the coming days.
In response, Tehran has vowed severe retaliation, with officials warning of catastrophic consequences. Iranian leaders described the strikes as “opening the gates of hell,” marking what many analysts see as the most dangerous escalation between the two rivals in decades.
Neither Iran’s Foreign Ministry nor the governments of Qatar and Oman responded to requests for comment.
Oman and Qatar have long served as diplomatic channels between Iran and the West. Oman has hosted recent rounds of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, although the latest talks were canceled shortly after Israel began its latest offensive. Qatar has also played a mediating role in the past, including a 2023 prisoner swap deal.
Both Gulf nations maintain strong ties with Iran, the U.S., and Israel, positioning them as key intermediaries in times of crisis.
