US-Iran mediation collapses as Trump demands unconditional surrender
Diplomatic efforts by Middle Eastern nations to halt the escalating war between the United States and Iran have collapsed. Both Washington and Tehran officially rejected negotiations, sources told Reuters.
Regional mediators, led by Oman and Egypt, attempted to restore contact between the warring parties. However, the White House signaled a total lack of interest in de-escalation, marking a definitive end to Oman’s traditional role as a diplomatic bridge.
Trump pursues military solution
A senior White House official stated that President Donald Trump is focused on a sustained military campaign. The objective is to systematically degrade Iran’s combat capabilities to a functional minimum.
"There is no interest in negotiations at this time," the official noted. The administration intends to proceed without pauses, suggesting that conditions for a ceasefire have not yet been met.
Tehran demands reparations
The Iranian leadership remains equally defiant. Senior sources in Tehran confirmed that no truce will be discussed until the U.S. and Israel cease airstrikes and agree to pay substantial war reparations.
Previous backchannels involving U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Iranian officials have been severed. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly views any concession regarding the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic defeat.
Global energy at risk
The conflict, which began on February 28, has claimed over 2,000 lives. The ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered a massive spike in global oil prices, disrupting one-fifth of the world’s energy supply.
Tensions surged further following a U.S. strike on Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil export hub. In response, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed to keep the Strait closed and threatened strikes against neighboring states.
Internal Republican pressure
President Trump reaffirmed his stance to NBC News on March 15, demanding Iran’s "unconditional surrender." He emphasized that any future deal must include the total abandonment of Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Despite this, some White House officials are wary. They fear that surging domestic fuel prices could jeopardize the Republican Party’s standing in the upcoming midterm elections, creating a rift over the war's duration.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
