Mediator Fails to Try to Negotiate a Ceasefire Between Iran and the US

ILLUSTRATION UNSPLASH. (sina drakhshani)

JAKARTA - Efforts by countries in the region to reach a ceasefire between the United States and Iran have hit a dead end, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal on Friday, citing mediators.

Iran has told mediators of its reluctance to meet US officials in Pakistan in the coming days, as it considers Washington's demands unacceptable, the report said.

Meanwhile, Egypt and Turkey continue to try to facilitate dialogue and offer various places for talks between the US and Iran, such as Doha or Istanbul, according to the report.

Earlier that day, the head of the Iranian diplomatic mission in Cairo, Mojtaba Ferdosipour, told RIA Novosti that Iran would only agree to a full end to the war and opposed a ceasefire.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei also denied on Wednesday US President Donald Trump's claim that Tehran had asked for a ceasefire.

The United States and Israel launched strikes against targets in Iran on February 28, including in Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties.

Iran responded by attacking Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East.

Escalation of tensions around Iran has led to a de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the main route for the shipment of oil and liquefied natural gas from Persian Gulf countries to global markets, thus pushing up energy prices.