Qatar Proposes New Deal to Ease Iran-US Tensions Amid Rising Risks of Wider Conflict
Qatar has presented a new proposal aimed at reducing tensions between Iran and the United States. According to the plan, Washington would halt its attacks in exchange for Iran opening two shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz for ten days. Meanwhile, Israeli officials are closely monitoring scenarios that could draw Israel into a broader conflict, including direct Iranian attacks, preemptive strikes by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), or a request from US President Donald Trump. A senior Israeli official noted that the likelihood of escalation has significantly increased in the past 24 hours.
Earlier, Iran launched four missiles toward Jordan, with US defense systems intercepting three and one falling in an open area. Following the missile launches, American refueling aircraft were evacuated from Ramon Airport in southern Israel. The IDF warned that missile fire could spill over into Israeli territory but maintained that there were no changes to Home Front Command instructions. Interceptors were launched to prevent debris from falling in Israel near Eilat, with no damage or injuries reported.
Jordanian authorities denied reports of evacuations at Aqaba's international airport and seaport, stating the facilities continue normal operations despite a US embassy warning about a "specific and credible threat." The Iranian news agency Mehr reported that the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization accused the US of attacking a nuclear power plant under construction in southwestern Iran, calling it a violation of international law.
A senior Israeli security source told Saudi channel Al-Hadath that Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran's Supreme Leader, is currently the key decision-maker in Iran, operating from hiding and effectively acting as the supreme leader. The source claimed internal divisions within Iran threaten the Revolutionary Guards' stability and that Washington does not want Tel Aviv involved in retaliatory actions even if Iran targets Israel. Iran reportedly planned assassinations of Israeli figures in Tel Aviv in retaliation for the killing of Ali Khamenei.
Mojtaba Khamenei dismissed US threats as invalid, following American officials' statements about punishing Iran for non-compliance with agreements. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi announced Tehran has suspended all commitments under the memorandum of understanding with the US in response to American attacks. Earlier reports indicated Mojtaba Khamenei's influential role in Iran's decision-making, though he remains unseen publicly, possibly due to plastic surgeries altering his appearance.
