Iran Appeals for Ceasefire Through Gulf Allies, Offers Concessions on Nuclear Talks
Iran has approached Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman to urge U.S. President Donald Trump to pressure Israel into accepting an immediate ceasefire, Reuters reported Monday. In return, Tehran has signaled it is open to showing greater flexibility in stalled nuclear negotiations.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Iranian officials have also told Arab leaders they are prepared to reenter diplomatic discussions—on the condition that the U.S. refrains from supporting Israel’s military operations. Tehran has additionally conveyed to Israel that both sides stand to gain from curbing the escalation.
The potential for de-escalation has buoyed U.S. markets. As of 10:40 AM ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 1.1%, the S&P 500 had gained 1.2%, and the NASDAQ rose 1.5%.
Despite these diplomatic signals, Israel remains firmly committed to its military objectives. Israeli forces have secured air dominance over Tehran, reducing the incentive to halt strikes. The campaign has already claimed much of Iran’s top air force leadership and inflicted significant damage.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to continue operations until Iran’s nuclear and missile programs are dismantled, showing no inclination to scale back the offensive.
