Iran sends new nuclear proposal to US via Qatar

Iran has sent a new proposal to the United States through Qatar over its nuclear programme, but says talks can begin only if Washington meets seven demands from Tehran.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Thursday that Tehran had learned through Qatar, a mediator, that Washington was reviewing the proposal.

Iran’s top security official Mohsen Rezaei said Tehran had set seven conditions for diplomacy, including lifting US sanctions, releasing frozen Iranian assets and paying war reparations.

He also warned that Iran would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz or engage in negotiations until the demands were met.

Meanwhile, Washington has insisted that nuclear issues must be included in any initial talks.

Mediators have intensified efforts to end the conflict amid concerns that fighting between Iran and the US could resume after the US midterm elections.

The conflict began on February 28 with US and Israeli strikes on Iran, prompting Iranian retaliatory attacks on Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military bases. The fighting has also spread to Lebanon and Yemen.

-AJM