Qatar and Pakistan Propose US-Iran Peace Deal as Military Tensions Escalate

The Qatari newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported Tuesday evening that Qatar and Pakistan have presented a compromise proposal aimed at addressing the demands of both the United States and Iran. The diplomatic initiative seeks to prevent another military escalation and pave the way for renewed negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

According to the report, the proposal was presented to Iranian officials on Tuesday during a meeting between Pakistan's army chief, Asim Munir, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and senior Foreign Ministry officials in Tehran. The newspaper claimed that the United States had already agreed to the proposal, which includes a partial response to Iran's demand for the release of frozen Iranian funds.

Under the proposed arrangement, Iran would receive the interest accrued on $6 billion in Iranian assets frozen in Qatari banks. In exchange, Tehran would agree to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to conduct confidential visits to Iranian nuclear facilities.

Iran Rejects Nuclear Negotiations

Despite reports of diplomatic progress, Iranian officials have publicly rejected the possibility of renewed nuclear negotiations. According to Iranian media, the Foreign Ministry stated, "We do not intend to engage in negotiations on the nuclear issue in any form."

Ghalibaf also emphasized that Iran's uranium would remain in the country and would be used for domestic purposes.

Oil Tankers Reportedly Strike Mines in Strait of Hormuz

Meanwhile, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate. Iran claimed Tuesday afternoon that two oil tankers traveling through the southern shipping lane of the strait struck naval mines and exploded.

The Iranian announcement came amid increasing pressure from Tehran on vessels attempting to pass through the strategic waterway. The reported measures are intended, in part, to drive up global oil prices and increase political pressure on US President Donald Trump ahead of the American midterm elections.

Reuters reported that Iranian officials believe the United States, with Israeli assistance, is preparing to resume military operations against Iran. As a result, the Iranian military has reportedly been placed on its highest level of alert.

Iranian Foreign Ministry: "We Are Not in a State of Peace"

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said he was unaware of the precise purpose of the Pakistani general's visit to Tehran. "We need to speak with him to determine what the visit will address," Baghaei said.

He reiterated that Tehran had no intention of making concessions regarding its nuclear program and would continue exercising control over the Strait of Hormuz.

"We live day and night with the possibility of war. We are not in a state of peace. Iran's defenders are prepared to repel any hostile action," he warned.

Baghaei added that Iran's position remained unchanged despite the reported diplomatic initiative. "Our positions and demands are clear. The message we received from the other side was insufficient and incomplete. We have made our positions clear," he stated.