DUBAI, U.A.E.: As violence escalates between Iran and Israel, Tehran is turning to its Gulf neighbors to help broker a ceasefire — offering flexibility in nuclear talks in return for a halt to hostilities.
According to two Iranian and three regional sources, Iran has asked Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman to urge U.S. President Donald Trump to press Israel for an immediate ceasefire.
The weekend saw intense diplomatic activity across the Gulf, with leaders and senior diplomats holding calls with Washington, Tehran, and one another in an urgent effort to prevent the regional conflict from spiraling further.
"Iran is willing to be flexible in the nuclear talks if a ceasefire is reached," one Iranian source told Reuters.
A Gulf official close to the region's governments confirmed the mediation efforts and said Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia had all reached out to Washington with a clear ask: push Israel to halt its attacks and resume nuclear negotiations with Tehran.
"The Gulf States are deeply concerned the conflict will spin out of control," the official said.
The White House and the U.S. State Department did not immediately comment on the developments.
