Iran sees only unacceptable ideas in latest mediation to end war, official says

Qatar's mediators have presented Iran with a new draft deal to end the eight-month war with the US and Israel, but a senior Iranian official said Doha had only proposed "unacceptable ideas" and not a genuine offer. The official, who is not Iranian, revealed that Qatar, alongside Pakistan, has led the mediation efforts since the conflict began.

A seven-day timeline was outlined for both Tehran and Washington to take daily confidence-building measures. The timeline may commence early next week, with several countries acting as guarantors of the deal. Iran insists that its nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil exports must be addressed before negotiations can proceed, while the US demands Iran's nuclear program be part of the talks from the outset.

Saudi Arabia's defense pact countries are also participating in talks in Iran, while Houthis have increased attacks on Saudi targets. Oil prices surged over 1% to more than $115 per barrel following a Houthi strike on Saudi Arabia's largest oil refinery, Ras Tanura, raising supply risks. The war has also fueled tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.