U.S. warns Gulf of a ‘short, intense’ return to war in Iran
Washington has told Gulf allies to prepare for a fresh offensive after next week’s midterm elections, as Qatari mediators carry a new draft to Tehran and the eight-month war’s bill reaches $47.1bn.
The United States has warned Gulf states to prepare for a possible “short, intense” renewal of its war with Iran after next week’s midterm elections, according to The Wall Street Journal, even as Qatari mediators carried a new draft ceasefire to Tehran.
An Iranian official said the ideas presented in the latest mediation were “unacceptable”, telling Reuters that the proposals fell short of Tehran’s demand for guaranteed sanctions relief. Qatar’s mediators said a fresh text had been put forward.
The Pentagon told Congress on Wednesday that the eight-month war had cost $47.1bn, more than 25 per cent more than in July. It has reported 21 American service members killed and more than 800 wounded; this week it lowered its casualty count, prompting questions from lawmakers.
Oil rose above $117 a barrel last week after Iran threatened to strike refineries, data centres and undersea cables across the Gulf if the United States or Israel attacked again. At least 15 vessels have been struck in the Strait of Hormuz in the past ten days, and two container ships sank this month.
Gulf states are trying to assemble a wider settlement: sanctions relief for Iran, the reopening of the strait within four days of sanctions being lifted, the withdrawal of Houthi forces in Yemen and a regional security pact that would reduce the American military presence. European diplomats say a deal also requires Iran to readmit UN weapons inspectors. Tehran has refused.
“Recently, there has been talk of a new war, but I am already thinking about the postwar period,” Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said this week. “Whether there is war or not, our policies remain the same.”
