Efforts to open ceasefire negotiations in the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran have stalled after U.S. President Donald Trump rejected proposals from regional allies to begin talks, according to Al Jazeera News.
According to a report by Reuters, several countries have quietly tried to mediate between the sides as fighting across the Middle East continues. However, the White House has chosen to continue military operations rather than move toward negotiations at this stage.
A senior U.S. official told the news agency that the administration is currently focused on its military objectives. “He’s not interested in that right now, and we’re going to continue with the mission unabated,” the official said, referring to Trump’s position on a ceasefire.
Another official suggested that the possibility of dialogue may emerge later. “President Trump said new potential leadership in Iran has indicated they want to talk and eventually will talk,” the aide said, adding that the current U.S. military campaign, referred to as Operation Epic Fury, will continue for now.
Iranian officials have also drawn firm conditions regarding negotiations. Two senior figures in Tehran told Reuters that Iran would not consider any ceasefire until all American and Israeli military strikes stop.
Behind the scenes, several diplomatic channels have attempted to find a path toward talks. According to the report, Iran’s senior security official Ali Larijani and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi explored the possibility of using Oman as a neutral venue for discussions.
The proposal reportedly included potential talks involving U.S. Vice President JD Vance. However, those discussions never materialized as the fighting continued across the region.
The conflict, which has expanded beyond initial strikes to affect several Middle Eastern countries, has increased pressure on global energy routes and raised fears of a wider regional war. Diplomats in the region have continued to push quietly for de-escalation, but so far those efforts have produced little progress.
For now, both sides remain entrenched in their positions. The United States says it will pursue its strategic objectives, while Iran maintains that negotiations cannot begin until military attacks cease. With neither side stepping back, the prospects for an immediate ceasefire appear uncertain as the conflict continues. __Photo Courtesy X (former Twitter)
