Analysis. Tehran calls for ‘dialogue’ as it reviews US peace proposal

Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, calls for “dialogue and diplomacy” in a call with his Pakistani counterpart as Tehran prepares to respond to the US 14-point proposal to end the war.

US President Donald Trump says he had “very good talks” with Iran, “it’s very possible we’ll make a deal”.

Israel bombed Beirut in the first attack on the Lebanese capital since the “ceasefire”, in name only, started on April 17.

Hamas condemns Israel’s attacks on Gaza as a continuation of Israel’s “war of extermination”.

US, Iran have a ‘mutual desperation’ to emerge as a victor in negotiations

The US and Iran both feel a “deep antagonism” towards the other and a “mutual desperation” to each come out on top in negotiations, says Samir Puri, visiting lecturer at King’s College London.

“Iran has been severely battered by several weeks of high-intensity warfare, so the choice [during diplomatic efforts] may actually come down to the following, is it better to find an off-ramp or to risk returning to full-scale hostilities?” Puri told Al Jazeera.

The best chance of finding an off-ramp is for both sides to reach an agreement regarding nuclear enrichment, said Puri.

Iran needs to be able to sign up to a deal “that it doesn’t see as much of a concession” and that the US can hail “as a great victory”, said Puri.

An arrangement regarding the Strait of Hormuz also needs to be reached, “which is probably the trickier one than enrichment at this point,” added Puri.

If a “workable deal” on these and a few more key issues can’t be reached, this “situation will just rumble on as an unresolved conflict, with every possibility of reigniting in the near future,” he added.

World Opinion + Agencies