A senior US official revealed new developments in the strained relations between Washington and Tehran, confirming that the United States is currently awaiting a written proposal from the Iranian side. This anticipated proposal aims to establish clear and specific mechanisms for avoiding direct confrontation with the United States, as a follow-up to the recent US-Iranian talks, which sought to de-escalate tensions in the region.

In the context of military and security moves coinciding with the diplomatic track, the official explained that senior national security advisors held a crucial meeting in the White House Situation Room to discuss the details of the complex Iranian issue. Those present were informed of the necessity to complete the deployment of all US forces in the region by mid-March, reflecting a dual US strategy based on diplomacy backed by military readiness.

Regarding coordination with regional allies, the source, according to Reuters, indicated that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio intends to make an important visit to Israel, where he is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 28. This visit comes at a sensitive time for coordinating positions on regional threats and ensuring the security of allies.

Context of tension and historical background

These developments come against the backdrop of a long history of tension and strained relations between the United States and Iran, marked by decades of rupture and escalating conflict. The move to request a "written response" represents a significant shift in crisis management, as Washington seeks to move from verbal understandings, which are susceptible to misinterpretation or reneging, to documented commitments that guarantee de-escalation. The Iranian nuclear program and Tehran's regional influence have long been key points of contention that previous rounds of negotiations have failed to resolve definitively.

Strategic importance and international anticipation

This move is of paramount importance both regionally and internationally. On the one hand, setting a date for the completion of the US troop deployment sends a strong deterrent message, reaffirming Washington's commitment to protecting its interests and international shipping lanes. On the other hand, the anticipated coordination between Rubio and Netanyahu indicates that any agreement or understanding with Tehran will not be reached without addressing Israeli security concerns. Political circles are awaiting the written Iranian response, the content of which will determine whether the region will move toward a path of diplomatic de-escalation or witness a new chapter of escalation and confrontation.

Israeli authorities announced on Wednesday new and stricter restrictions on the access of Palestinian worshippers from the West Bank to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for Friday prayers during the holy month of Ramadan. Under the new decision, the number of worshippers allowed entry will be capped at 10,000 Palestinians, and only after obtaining prior security permits. This move has drawn widespread criticism and raised concerns about escalating tensions in the holy city.

According to a statement issued by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), these measures followed a "security assessment of the situation," which resulted in the approval of daily permits exclusively for Fridays throughout the holy month. The age restrictions stipulate that entry is permitted for men aged 55 and over, women aged 50 and over, and children up to the age of 12, provided they are accompanied by a first-degree relative. All permits are subject to security approval.

In a procedural precedent, the statement indicated that worshippers are required to undergo "digital documentation" at crossings and military checkpoints, in order to guarantee and confirm their return to their places of residence in the West Bank at the end of the prayer day, adding a new procedural burden to the movement of people.

A huge gap between capacity and the allowed number

These restrictions create a massive gap between the capacity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the permitted number of worshippers. Estimates indicate that the Al-Aqsa compound can accommodate between 350,000 and 400,000 worshippers when all its courtyards and prayer areas are full, a scene familiar in previous years when hundreds of thousands of worshippers would flock to the site. Limiting the number to only 10,000 constitutes an unprecedented reduction that prevents the vast majority of Palestinians from practicing their religious rites during one of the holiest months for Muslims.

tense historical and political context

These measures are particularly sensitive given the spiritual significance of Al-Aqsa Mosque, the first of the two Qiblas and the third holiest site in Islam. While Israel imposes security measures annually around East Jerusalem, the current restrictions come amidst complex regional circumstances. Palestinians and religious institutions in Jerusalem consistently warn that the intensification of these measures aims to alter the historical and legal status quo in the city and attempt to erase its Arab and Islamic identity.

It is worth noting that the international community does not recognize Israel's annexation of East Jerusalem in 1980 and considers it occupied territory since 1967, in accordance with international law. Palestinians maintain their claim to East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, asserting that freedom of worship and access to holy sites are fundamental rights guaranteed by international law and should not be subject to Israeli security considerations or used as a political bargaining chip.