Qatar has presented Iran with a new peace proposal as Washington keeps military action on the table. The Qatar peace proposal seeks to ease regional tensions while preventing another confrontation involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Qatari mediators delivered the draft agreement to Tehran on Sunday, according to an official familiar with the negotiations. Iran is expected to respond by the end of this week. The proposal outlines a seven-day process requiring both sides to take confidence-building measures each day.
The process could begin early next week, while several countries would reportedly act as guarantors. However, officials have not disclosed their identities or explained their specific responsibilities. The initiative comes amid growing concerns that renewed military action could trigger wider retaliation across the region.
US President Donald Trump added to the uncertainty on Wednesday by refusing to rule out further strikes. Reporters asked whether he might order an attack after the American midterm elections. Trump responded that he could not confirm his intentions, adding that anything remained possible.
He also claimed that Iran wanted an agreement but might delay negotiations until after the elections. Trump warned that waiting would not improve Tehran’s position. He further asserted that previous actions had severely weakened Iran’s military and financial position.
Trump cited inflation and economic difficulties as evidence of pressure on the Iranian government. However, his remarks did not clarify whether Washington would prioritise further negotiations or prepare for renewed military action. Consequently, the possibility of diplomacy and escalation remains unresolved.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the situation a historic opportunity to eliminate what he described as the Iranian threat. He said Israel could work with Trump to achieve that objective. His remarks signalled a continued willingness to pursue a tougher approach towards Tehran.
Netanyahu’s statements also came during political uncertainty in Israel following its general election. Neither his bloc nor the opposition alliance led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot secured a parliamentary majority. With 66 per cent of votes counted, projections placed Netanyahu’s bloc at 54 seats.
The opposition alliance was projected to win 48 seats in the 120-member Knesset. Meanwhile, non-aligned Arab parties were projected to hold 18 seats. Both main political camps pledged to form a government, although neither reached the 61 seats required for a majority.
Separately, Britain issued travel warnings covering 16 Middle Eastern countries amid concerns about regional escalation. The guidance urged travellers to prepare for potential flight cancellations and airspace closures. These warnings reflect wider uncertainty surrounding the security situation.
Qatar’s latest initiative represents another effort to bridge differences between Washington and Tehran. Earlier negotiations failed to deliver a lasting settlement, leaving mediators searching for a workable path forward. The proposed daily measures aim to rebuild confidence and create conditions for broader discussions.
However, tensions between Iran and Qatar also surfaced publicly over foreign military forces and navigation rights in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran urged Doha to prevent what it called aggressors from using Qatari territory. The statement followed comments by Qatar’s media and communications director, Ibrahim Sultan Al-Hashmi, who called on Tehran to respect freedom of navigation.
Iranian Foreign Ministry public relations chief Mahmoud Maleki responded to Al-Hashmi’s remarks on Wednesday. The exchange highlighted the diplomatic challenges Qatar faces while engaging with both Tehran and Washington. Ultimately, the proposal’s progress will depend on Iran’s response and the willingness of the parties to pursue de-escalation.
