Iran just rejected the nuclear deal and war could follow the midterms

Iran just told its own mediators no.

A senior Iranian official says the latest ceasefire proposal is nothing but a list of unacceptable ideas. And he says Iran will not compromise on its nuclear programme. Not even a little.

So who made the proposal? Qatar did. Working with Pakistan, the two countries trying to end this war. They delivered it in Tehran three days ago.

The official told Reuters this, straight out, a few hours ago. He says quote "the only thing we received is a list of unacceptable ideas".

Tehran was supposed to give a full answer by the end of this week.

And here's what was actually on the table. A seven-day plan. Daily steps from both sides. Other countries standing as guarantors. It was built to deal with Washington's worries and Tehran's worries at the same time.

Iran just said no to the nuclear part. And that's the one part Washington has always said is non-negotiable.

But here's the thing. Iran isn't speaking with one voice.

Around the same time, Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, posted online saying diplomacy is still alive. He says Iran is talking to intermediaries about its own plan, which Iran is calling a seven-day plan of its own.

So one Iranian voice says no deal, ever. Another says talks are still happening. Nobody has explained the gap.

Now the timing. US midterm elections are six days away. And American officials have reportedly told Gulf allies to get ready. Ready for what? A week of US strikes on Iran, if the diplomacy fails after the vote.

So what does Donald Trump say about more strikes? Asked this week whether the US would strike Iran again after the midterms, he did not rule it out.

Think about that. The US president won't rule out bombing Iran again. In the same week Iran is ruling out the one thing America wants most.