Iran asks U.S. and Israel to halt strikes — WSJ

Iran has conveyed urgent messages to the United States and Israel via Arab intermediaries, expressing its willingness to halt mutual strikes and resume nuclear negotiations, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday, citing sources in the U.S. and Europe.

According to the report, Tehran told Arab diplomats it would return to the negotiating table if Washington refrains from participating in Israeli military actions. Iran also sent a message to Israel urging it to impose limits on the exchange of strikes to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.

In an interview with the opposition outlet IranWire, a senior Iranian diplomat said Tehran is prepared to make significant concessions — including rolling back uranium enrichment — in order to reach an agreement with the U.S. and preserve the Islamic regime.

“We need a solution that saves face,” he said. “The top priority for the Supreme Leader and government is regime survival. Continued strikes weaken the military, the IRGC, the economy, and the morale of the state. We do not want to end up like Saddam Hussein. We are ready to negotiate.”

Arab intermediaries told WSJ that Iran believes Israel lacks the capacity for a prolonged war of attrition without strong U.S. backing and sees diplomacy as the likely outcome. Tehran also believes Israel does not have a clear exit strategy and cannot effectively strike hardened targets such as the underground enrichment site in Fordow without direct American involvement.

“Iranian officials understand the U.S. is offering Israel logistical and defensive support,” one Arab source told the paper. “But they want explicit guarantees that the U.S. will not take part in offensive operations.”

At the same time, Iran reportedly warned that if talks fail to materialize, it could escalate its nuclear program and expand the scope of hostilities. Enrichment remains the primary sticking point, with both sides identifying it as a red line.

N.Tebrizli