Key Points
- Potential mediators include Qatar, Turkey, Egypt and Oman.
- The war began while Iran was engaged in nuclear negotiations in Oman.
- The United States and Israel have indicated no immediate willingness to return to talks.
- The conflict has entered its seventh day with intensified missile and drone attacks across the Middle East.
- Iran claims it launched more than 40 missiles targeting US and Israeli positions in retaliation.
- Fighting has expanded beyond the main battlefield, with incidents reported in Iraq, Lebanon, the Gulf and the South Caucasus.
TEHRAN: Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, said for the first time that several countries have begun mediation efforts aimed at ending the ongoing war involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
In remarks posted on social media, Pezeshkian said Tehran supports efforts toward lasting peace but stressed that any negotiations must address those responsible for initiating the conflict. However, he did not identify the countries involved in the mediation initiatives.
“Some countries have begun mediation efforts. Let’s be clear: we are committed to lasting peace in the region yet we have no hesitation in defending our nation’s dignity & sovereignty. Mediation should address those who underestimated the Iranian people and ignited this conflict,” he said.
Some countries have begun mediation efforts. Let’s be clear: we are committed to lasting peace in the region yet we have no hesitation in defending our nation’s dignity & sovereignty. Mediation should address those who underestimated the Iranian people and ignited this conflict https://t.co/MxWCuNYOYR
— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) March 6, 2026
Countries including Qatar, Turkey, Egypt and Oman have at various points offered to mediate since the United States and Israel launched joint strikes last Saturday. However, Iran’s foreign ministry said two days ago that the current moment calls for defending the country rather than pursuing diplomacy.
The conflict erupted while Iran was engaged in negotiations in Oman over its nuclear programme. Similarly, US and Israeli strikes last June also occurred while nuclear talks were underway.
Recent statements from Washington and Tel Aviv suggest little immediate willingness to return to negotiations. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said late Thursday that American firepower targeting Iran was set to “surge dramatically,” while the Israel Defence Forces announced a new and intensified phase of its military campaign on Friday.
Since the war began, Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian has repeatedly indicated that it may be too late for negotiations. At the same time, he has emphasised the need to shape a new leadership path for Iran that could prevent a complete regime change — an outcome widely believed to be favoured by Israel.
Missile and drone attacks intensified across
Missile and drone attacks intensified across the Middle East on Friday as the war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel entered its seventh day, with strikes and counterstrikes reported across several countries and the regional security situation continuing to deteriorate.
Iran said it launched more than 40 missiles targeting United States and Israeli positions in fresh retaliatory strikes, while the United States and Israel continued air and missile attacks on sites inside Iran. The escalating exchanges have expanded the conflict beyond the main battlegrounds, with incidents reported in the Gulf, Iraq, Lebanon and the South Caucasus.
Ali Larijani of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council warned that Iranian forces are prepared for any possible United States ground invasion, saying they are “waiting” and ready to respond if such a move takes place.
Attacks spread across the region
The conflict has expanded beyond Iran and Israel, with attacks reported across several countries.
Iran’s army said it launched a drone strike against a US military site in the Iraqi Kurdish city of Erbil.
“The headquarters of the American aggressor forces in Erbil, Iraq, was attacked by the army’s ground forces’ attack drones,” the Iranian army said in a statement broadcast on state television.
Iranian state television also reported that an Iranian missile struck a US oil tanker in the northern Arabian Gulf, saying the vessel caught fire.
In Israel, the Lebanese group Hezbollah said it had targeted a military base south of Tel Aviv with a drone aimed at an Iron Dome radar system.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in Beirut on Wednesday reportedly killed three people and injured six others.
