Iran Open to Negotiations Following Reported Qatari-Mediated Draft Deal

An Iranian official stated on Wednesday that the country "welcomes any effort aimed at negotiations," following reports that Qatari mediators have presented Tehran with a new draft agreement intended to de-escalate tensions with the United States. According to an official briefed on the discussions, the agreement was delivered to Iran on Sunday and is currently under consideration, with an expected response by the end of the week. This draft deal reportedly outlines a seven-day framework for confidence-building measures, detailing daily steps for both Iran and Washington to undertake, with the timeline potentially commencing early next week and several nations serving as guarantors. While Iran has not yet issued a public statement on the draft, an Iranian official informed The National that the nation "welcomes any efforts aimed at negotiations, talks or collective consultation." This development comes after a visit to Tehran by officials from Makkah pact countries, including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey, who were engaged in diplomatic efforts to resolve regional conflicts. The delegation was led by Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, highlighting Saudi Arabia's concern amid escalating Houthi rebel attacks on the kingdom and fears of renewed conflict between the US and Iran. Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Ibrahim Kalin, director of Turkey’s intelligence service, also participated in the meeting. Regional sources indicated that these talks did not yield significant breakthroughs. According to sources familiar with the discussions, representatives from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey requested that Iran urge the Houthis to cease attacks on Saudi Arabia. Iran reportedly stated it had limited influence over its Yemeni allies. Instead, Iran proposed that its guests leverage their relationships with the US to persuade Washington to accept a two-week pause in regional hostilities, which would facilitate the resumption of negotiations in exchange for the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian official described the talks as a "step in the right direction" and a "first confidence-building step between these countries," emphasizing the necessity of a security framework to maintain regional stability. Key discussion points included the Houthi escalation and the Strait of Hormuz. Concurrently, the US military issued an advisory on Wednesday, urging vessels not requiring transit between ports in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz to remain clear due to heightened regional tensions. The advisory noted that vessels transiting the area should anticipate potential delays due to increased traffic and military enforcement operations. This advisory was issued amidst a backdrop of rising tensions, with the US military having previously issued a similar notice in mid-July during its blockade of Iranian shipping. In Yemen, the Houthis called for the immediate evacuation of the airport in Aden.