‘Hands stained with blood’: Iran warns AI firms over alleged Israeli military links
Tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States remain high as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict run parallel to growing fears of another round of military escalation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly pushing US President Donald Trump to approve a fresh wave of strikes on Iran after Tuesday's US midterm elections, even as Washington continues to explore a diplomatic solution.<br /><br />Netanyahu's push for renewed military action comes amid political uncertainty in Israel, where he and his far-right allies lost their parliamentary majority in last week's elections. A return to full-scale war could potentially help him build an emergency government, according to regional officials familiar with the discussions. Trump, meanwhile, has alternated between threatening major military action and expressing interest in reaching an agreement with Tehran.<br /><br />Diplomatic efforts have gathered pace, with Qatari mediators holding two rounds of discussions with Iranian officials last week. The proposed framework reportedly involves Iran ending its attacks in the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for Washington lifting its blockade on Iranian ports. More talks are expected this week, although significant differences remain between the two sides.<br /><br />Iran has maintained that it is prepared for both war and diplomacy, while its new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has called for an immediate response to any threat from the US or Israel. Tehran has also sought guarantees that Washington would honour any potential agreement, citing previous attacks during nuclear negotiations.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Gulf nations are increasingly concerned about the consequences of another escalation. Regional officials have warned that renewed strikes could draw in Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and militias in Iraq, threatening shipping routes and regional security. At the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, officials from the UAE and Egypt warned of the potentially devastating consequences of further conflict.<br /><br />China is also stepping up diplomatic engagement, with plans to send a special envoy to Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia.