Iran has informed Qatari and Omani mediators that it will not enter ceasefire negotiations while Israeli attacks persist, according to an official briefed on the matter who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.
“The Iranians made it clear that they will only consider serious talks once their response to the Israeli offensive is complete,” the official stated. “They refuse to negotiate while under attack.”
The statement comes amid escalating hostilities following Israel’s surprise assault on Iran early Friday, which targeted top military leadership and nuclear infrastructure. The operation, described by Israel as the beginning of a broader campaign, has led to significant casualties, including senior members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and several nuclear scientists.
In retaliation, Iran has launched waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli cities such as Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Ashkelon. The Iranian military confirmed the operations, declaring they will continue “as long as necessary.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized Western proposals for a ceasefire, calling promises from the U.S. and European leaders “pure lies,” particularly after the killing of senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. “They offered ceasefire in exchange for our silence—how could we accept that while our people are under attack?” Pezeshkian said.
Reports that Iran had appealed to Qatar and Oman to engage the U.S. for ceasefire or nuclear negotiations were dismissed by the Iranian side as inaccurate. Neither Iran’s foreign ministry nor those of Qatar and Oman responded to requests for comment.
Both Gulf nations have previously facilitated talks between Iran and the U.S., including backchannel negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program and a 2023 prisoner swap. However, the latest round of nuclear discussions was cancelled following Israel’s initial wave of airstrikes.
On the ground, the violence has intensified. Israeli forces reported damage from Iranian missiles hitting residential buildings along the Mediterranean coast, while Iran claimed success in striking military and civilian targets across Israel. Iranian cities, including Tehran, Mashhad, and Tabriz, have been heavily bombarded, with over 220 civilians killed so far—among them 25 children—according to Iranian officials.
In response, Iran has begun converting mosques, metro stations, and schools into emergency bomb shelters. Air raid sirens have echoed across cities, including Tehran and Jerusalem, as defence systems intercept incoming missiles.
As both sides remain entrenched, the risk of a prolonged and catastrophic regional conflict continues to grow, with no diplomatic resolution in sight.
