Iran Rejects US Ceasefire Demands, Talks Hit Dead End
Iran has slammed the door on peace talks, telling mediators the latest US demands for a ceasefire are completely unacceptable.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Tehran refused a proposed meeting with American officials in Pakistan, declaring the current round of negotiations at a total dead end.
Turkey and Egypt are still scrambling to keep things alive, floating new venues like Doha or Istanbul and pushing for fresh proposals on thorny issues like regional security and reparations.
This comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains choked, oil prices stay elevated, and American markets are closed for a long three-day weekend, leaving investors exposed to any weekend fireworks.
The mullahs in Tehran are playing hardball, betting America will blink first while the economic pain mounts at home. Weak diplomacy invites stronger measures.