US and Israel Diverge on Iran Strike as Qatar Offers Last-Ditch Deal

Qatar has proposed a new step-by-step deal to avert a US-Israeli strike on Iran, offering gradual sanctions relief in exchange for nuclear limits and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has not yet responded, and the coming week may determine if diplomacy succeeds. The Qatari proposal differs from previous efforts by pairing small Iranian concessions with incremental US actions, including unfreezing funds. Iran previously insisted on seven demands, including lifting sanctions before nuclear talks, while the new plan allows parallel discussions with Russia or China as guarantors. US and Israeli forces are ready to strike within days if talks fail, targeting infrastructure and nuclear sites. However, Trump seeks to weaken Iran to force negotiations, while Netanyahu aims for regime change, with planners coordinating targets to avoid unifying the Iranian public against the attackers.