Iran says ceasefire depends on US and Israel promising no future attacks

Iran has informed regional intermediaries that any ceasefire would require a guarantee from the United States that neither it nor Israel would carry out future strikes on the country, according to several officials familiar with the matter.

Iran is particularly worried that Israel could launch another attack once the current war ends, said the people, who asked not to be identified while discussing sensitive matters.

It remains unclear whether the US is willing to provide such a pledge or whether it could ensure Israel would do the same.

According to the officials, the back-channel communications are being facilitated by several European and Middle Eastern countries.

Late yesterday (11 March), Iran's Masoud Pezeshkian said the only way to end the war is "recognizing Iran's legitimate rights, payment of reparations, and firm int'l guarantees against future aggression."

He added that he had delivered this message to the "leaders of Russia and Pakistan."

Spokespeople for the US and Israeli governments did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The war between the US-Israel alliance and Iran that began on 28 February  shows little indication of an imminent de-escalation. US President Donald Trump said earlier this week that the conflict could end soon because the Iranian military has been degraded to a large extent. However, in public, all three countries say they are prepared to continue fighting for several weeks if necessary.

Iran continues launching missiles and drones toward Israel and Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain. Its attacks on ships have effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz — through which about one-fifth of the world's oil and natural gas flows — creating turmoil in energy markets.

Saudi Arabia intensified its direct engagement with Iran last week in an effort to contain the conflict, Bloomberg reported.

Other Gulf states, whose economies and financial markets have been affected by the war, are also attempting to communicate with both Iran and the US, the officials said.

Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian yesterday (11 March), marking their first conversation since the conflict began.

According to Omani state media, the sultan condemned Iran's attacks on Oman but few additional details were disclosed.

The call followed drone strikes that hit fuel tanks at Salalah port in southern Oman.

The US and Israel have sent mixed signals about their war objectives.

Initially, both suggested they were seeking regime change.

However, despite Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei being killed in the initial attacks, Iran has maintained its position and demonstrated military resilience.

It signaled its defiance by appointing Khamenei's hardline son Mojtaba as the new supreme leader.

Since then, the Israeli and US governments have indicated they may accept more limited objectives than the overthrow of the Islamic Republic.

These include dismantling Iran's missile program and its navy.