Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey take peace push to Tehran to avert new escalation

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Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey take peace push to Tehran to avert new escalation

On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey took their diplomatic push directly to Tehran, officially to avert a new military escalation. Gulf-backed talks are reported to aim at reopening the Strait of Hormuz within four days of sanctions being lifted and at a Houthi withdrawal of substantial forces inside Yemen. The US is aware of progress but wants a concession, possibly allowing UN weapons inspectors back into Iran. On Tuesday Iran said the US was 'not serious' about talks, and a ship was reported on fire off Iraq.

• Iran says it is preparing for a potential US and Israeli attack after the US midterms, and warns renewed attacks 'will achieve no different outcome'.
• Trump said on Monday there would be no strikes on Iran that day.
• Officials say Netanyahu pushed for action against Iran, short of an overt strike, ahead of the Israeli election, and that the military chief resisted. Israel's defence minister denies a rift.
• Hardliners in Iran are turning against President Pezeshkian over the talks with the US.