DUBAI (Reuters) – Iran told mediators Qatar and Oman that it was reluctant to negotiate a ceasefire during the Israeli attack.
“Iranians informed Qatar and Omanian mediators that they would only conduct serious negotiations once Iran completes its response to Israel’s preemptive strike,” the official said.
The official said Iran “clearly made it clear that this would not be negotiated when attacked.”
Israel launched an unexpected attack on Iran on Friday morning, which eliminated the top echelon of Iran’s military command and damaged its nuclear site and said the movement will continue to escalate in the coming days.
Iran vowed to “open the door to hell” in revenge that it was the greatest confrontation ever between enemies.
The official told Reuters media reports that Iran’s call for Oman and Qatar to interact with the United States for a ceasefire and renewal negotiations is inaccurate.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment, nor did the Qatar’s Foreign Ministry or Oman’s Information Ministry.
Oman has mediated nuclear talks between the United States and Iran in recent months, although the latest round was cancelled a day after Israel launched an air attack against Iran.
Qatar has also played a speech between two enemies in the past, most recently mediating the 2023 prisoner exchange agreement.
Oman and Qatar have good relations with Iran and the United States, and they communicate directly with Israel.
(Andrew Mills’ report; other reports by Parisa Hafezi; Editor of Chizu Nomiyama)
