Iran has urgently signaled that it wants to end hostilities and resume talks on its nuclear program and has sent messages to Israel and the United States through Arab intermediaries, the Wall Street Journal reported today, citing Arab officials, BTA reported.
Amid the fierce Israeli air campaign, Tehran has told Arab officials that it would be willing to return to the negotiating table as long as the United States does not join the attacks, the publication writes. But Israeli planes fly freely over the Iranian capital, Iranian counterattacks have caused limited damage, and Israeli leaders have little incentive to stop the attacks, it notes.
Arranging a pause would give Iran time to regroup and increase international pressure on the Israeli campaign, the Wall Street Journal said. Iran would also benefit if the United States did not activate its capabilities to destroy fortified bunkers.
Tehran appears to be hoping that Israel cannot afford to be drawn into a war of attrition and will ultimately have to seek a diplomatic solution, according to Arab diplomats who have spoken to Iranian officials. Iranian officials say they believe Israel has no clear exit strategy and needs American help to inflict significant damage on targets such as the uranium enrichment facility at Fordow, which is buried under a mountain.
Iran has also told Arab officials that it could accelerate its nuclear program and expand the scope of the war if there is no prospect of renewed talks with the United States. There are currently no signs that Iran is ready to make further concessions in the nuclear talks, the Arab mediators added.