WASHINGTON / TEHRAN: Iran is evaluating fresh Qatari proposals concerning previously off-limits nuclear matters as diplomatic negotiations between Washington and Tehran indicate tentative progress toward ending the war, Bloomberg reported Friday, citing a diplomat familiar with the talks. Concurrently, U.S. authorities have advised Iranian civilians to remain indoors and stay clear of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) facilities should military hostilities escalate.
In a key diplomatic development, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday to discuss ongoing regional de-escalation efforts, according to an official statement issued by Qatar.
Heightening the rhetoric, an Iranian Army spokesperson warned on Friday that Tehran’s armed forces would strike U.S. strategic assets without any geographic limitations if Washington launches fresh strikes against Iranian territory.
On the maritime front, the IRGC Navy reported Friday that two oil tankers caught fire after striking mines while attempting to navigate what it designated as unauthorized routes in the Strait of Hormuz.
The regional developments follow President Trump’s high-level security meeting with top national security advisers on Thursday, where he noted that a decision on launching renewed strikes against Iran would be finalized shortly. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is finalizing operational preparations for potential combat operations but has not yet received definitive execution orders, Axios reported.
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