Iranian officials told mediators that the country was ready to resume nuclear talks with the US, but first Iran wanted Israel to stop its strikes. An Iranian official said Tehran's stance was "never leave the negotiation table, but not negotiate when we are being attacked".
Second officials said Oman and Qatar are leading efforts to begin ceasefire negotiations. This is part of the strong efforts of Gulf countries to extinguish the escalating conflict, which began on June 13, when Israel began attacking Iran.
On June 16, President Donald Trump said he had received information that Iran was trying to stop the fighting, but did not say whether he would ask Israel to stop or whether the US would intend to intervene military on behalf of Israel.
On the same evening, President Trump posted about the conflict on his social media page, emphasizing "Iran cannot have nuclear weapons" and "Everyone should evacuate Tehran immediately". It is unclear what prompted the US leader to call for evacuation from the city of nearly 10 million people.
Analysts say that if the conflict continues, it is inevitable that countries in the Gulf region will be drawn into it.
A series of Iranian missiles attacked the port city of Haifa in Israel while Israel attacked Iranian missile complexes as well as the headquarters of Iran's state broadcaster on June 16. At least 224 people in Iran and 24 in Israel have been killed in the attacks since June 13, according to officials.
US officials revealed that the Pentagon is expanding its military presence in the Middle East and Europe, with a fleet of US refueled aircraft and an additional aircraft carrier among the mobilized resources. An unnamed official said the move brought the plane closer to the area to protect US interests if necessary.
So far, the US has maintained it has not been involved in Israeli attacks on Iran. Washington has warned Tehran not to attack US interests or personnel in the region. US President Donald Trump left the G7 summit in Canada early to return to Washington due to the Middle East situation.
At the G7 summit in Canada, the group expressed support for Israel and considered Iran a source of instability in the Middle East.
"We call on the resolution of the Iranian crisis to help cool down widespread tensions in the Middle East, including the implementation of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip," the G7 statement said, stressing the group's readiness to coordinate to ensure the stability of the energy market.
Israel attacked Iran on June 13, calling it a lead attack to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Since then, the two sides have attacked each other. Iran denies it is aiming to develop nuclear weapons, stressing that it has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes as a party to the nuclear Non-Distribution Treaty. Israel is the only country in the Middle East that is believed to have nuclear weapons and is not party to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
