US President Donald Trump held a series of phone calls with regional leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On the agenda were the state of the war, possible ways to bring it to an end, including ceasefire proposals, and the issue of the Strait of Hormuz.
All the Gulf leaders Trump spoke with, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed and Netanyahu, reiterated that there should be no ceasefire without achieving the central objective of completely removing the Iranian threat.
According to two diplomatic sources, the Gulf leaders made clear that even after the heavy blows it has suffered, Iran would rebuild its offensive capabilities if given the opportunity and would continue its policy of threatening regional stability.
The sources added that Trump's position has not changed, and that a ceasefire would be possible only if Iran accepts the basic conditions that have been set for it: dismantling its nuclear project, limiting its missile capabilities, immediately reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and halting aid and support for terrorist organizations across the region.
Regarding Hormuz, the United Arab Emirates expressed willingness to join an immediate move to reopen the strait, while Saudi Arabia promised logistical and air support for such a move. Both countries voiced concern over a possible Iranian response to strikes on power stations and oil facilities, which, according to threats from Tehran, would target oil fields, power stations and desalination plants.
