Iran rejects ceasefire negotiations while under Israeli attack - Reuters

Iran has told mediators Qatar and Oman that it is not open to negotiating a ceasefire while it is under Israeli attack, Reuters reported citing an official briefed on the communications.

"The Iranians informed Qatari and Omani mediators that they will only pursue serious negotiations once Iran has completed its response to the Israeli pre-emptive strikes," said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the conflict, according to Reuters.

Iran made "clear that it will not negotiate while under attack," the official said.

The official told Reuters media reports that Iran appealed to Oman and Qatar to engage the U.S. to broker a ceasefire and renew nuclear talks were inaccurate.

Israel launched what it calls Operation Rising Lion against Iran's nuclear facilities in the early hours of Friday, calling it a preemptive strike designed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran has denied plans to develop such weapons. Tehran retaliated by launching counterstrikes on Israel.