Iran Seeks Gulf Mediation With US To Halt Israeli Strikes, But Washington Sets Nuclear Condition

Last Updated:June 16, 2025, 08:22 IST

Iran wants Gulf states to broker talks with the US to stop Israeli attacks, but Trump administration says only full nuclear compliance will halt military action

Tehran has approached Oman and Qatar to mediate with Washington in a bid to halt the ongoing hostilities and revive stalled nuclear talks.

As fighting between Israel and Iran escalates into one of the most volatile confrontations in recent years, Tehran has approached Oman and Qatar to mediate with Washington in a bid to halt the ongoing hostilities and revive stalled nuclear talks, a source familiar with the matter told The Jerusalem Post.

The outreach reportedly coincides with behind-the-scenes efforts by Saudi Arabia to promote a broader ceasefire framework, aimed at preventing further regional spillover and creating space to restart nuclear diplomacy.

According to the same source, these Iranian efforts follow clear messages from the US: only complete Iranian acceptance of Washington’s current proposal—including an immediate and full halt to uranium enrichment—would prompt a cessation of Israeli strikes.

IRGC Intelligence Chief Killed

Even as these diplomatic overtures are underway, the conflict on the ground continues to intensify. In one of the most significant escalations so far, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that an airstrike on Tehran had killed Brigadier General Mohammad Kazemi, the intelligence chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), along with his deputy, General Hassan Mohaqiq. “Moments ago, I can tell you we got their chief intelligence officer and his deputy in Tehran," Netanyahu said in an interview with Fox News.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA also confirmed the deaths, citing a statement from the Revolutionary Guards which named a third senior figure—General Mohsen Bagheri—as among those killed. All three were referred to as “martyrs" in the official announcement.

Israel-Iran Conflict: Day 4

The mediation push comes as hostilities between Iran and Israel stretch into a fourth straight night. On Monday morning, several powerful explosions were reported near Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility, triggering a 2.5-magnitude tremor. Footage shared by Iran English showed blasts roughly 20 kilometres from Qom.

According to Iran’s health ministry, at least 224 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since June 13. Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi confirmed that Iran had informed the agency of a strike on the Fordow enrichment plant on the first day of the conflict. Along with confirmed Israeli attacks on Natanz and Isfahan—including the Uranium Conversion Center—Israel is now believed to have targeted all three major sites in Iran’s nuclear programme. Satellite imagery cited by Israel’s Kan News showed visible damage to the power station at Natanz.

As part of its ongoing preemptive campaign, Israel has launched dozens of strikes across Tehran and other strategic locations. Israeli officials also claimed that at least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists have been killed in targeted attacks since Friday. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) released the names of nine of them—senior experts in nuclear physics, engineering, and materials science—suggesting a deliberate effort to dismantle Iran’s nuclear expertise.

Iran responded on Sunday with a massive barrage of nearly 100 missiles, reportedly hitting critical areas in Tel Aviv and Haifa. Israeli media described the attack as the most intense since the conflict began. Several of the projectiles were intercepted by Israel’s air defence system, but some caused fires and injuries in Haifa. RT cited local sources reporting at least four people injured.

Among the Iranian targets was Israel’s Haifa refinery, which was struck by a ballistic missile. In response, Israel launched retaliatory airstrikes on Iranian military and energy infrastructure.

As both sides issue warnings to civilians—advising them to avoid strategic locations and high-risk zones—the risk of a wider regional war looms large.

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