US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Saturday that President Donald Trump has not yet made a decision on resuming military action against Iran. Rubio made these comments during a press conference. He also mentioned that he is unaware of a specific timeline for talks led by Qatar aimed at ending hostilities between the US and Iran.
According to reports, Iranian officials have held talks with Qatari mediators in Doha. This development comes after a report by Axios suggested that President Trump may be more inclined to order a major military operation against Iran if he suffers a significant loss in the midterm elections. A source cited by Axios mentioned that Trump's potential actions would depend on his feelings of embarrassment or marginalization.
A draft proposal for negotiations between the US and Iran includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international navigation within seven days of reaching a preliminary understanding. The proposal also involves discussing the fate of Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium and establishing an international mechanism to ensure compliance with mutual commitments. China may play a potential role as a guarantor for any agreement.
The proposal suggests that Iran should commit to addressing its uranium stockpile early on, possibly by transferring it to a third country or reducing its enrichment level. The plan also involves rebuilding trust through daily measures and exploring an international mechanism to guarantee compliance with mutual commitments. A meeting between the two sides is proposed, potentially in Doha, due to Iran's security concerns regarding Turkey.
However, an Iranian official described the Qatari draft as unacceptable, stating that Tehran will not change its stance on its nuclear program. The main point of contention between the two sides is the order of steps, with the US seeking to address Iran's nuclear program and Iran demanding the lifting of US naval blockade and the release of frozen Iranian funds.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that his country is in touch with mediators regarding a separate seven-day plan. This plan involves reciprocal steps to address differences between the two sides. Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei emphasized that Iran will determine the timing and conditions for ending any future confrontation if its adversaries resume attacks.
Khamenei instructed Iran's military leaders to update their target bank in case of an Israeli or US attack. He stressed the importance of maintaining combat readiness and addressing threats at all levels without geographical limitations. The developments highlight the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, with various diplomatic efforts underway to ease the situation.
Key points
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says President Donald Trump has not made a decision on resuming military strikes against Iran.
- A draft proposal for US-Iran negotiations includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and discussing Iran's uranium stockpile.
- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei emphasizes Iran's determination to decide the timing and conditions of any future confrontation.
