That's what the Trump administration isn't ready to do at this moment, the U.S. is under increasing international pressure to call for a temporary cease-fire in its war with Iran.
Some of the countries in the region are calling for diplomacy, but Washington fears that stopping the war would damage its strategic objectives and strengthen Iran's position.
A temporary 10-day ceasefire is being considered by Qatar, Egypt, Oman and Pakistan to bring peace and open up a new diplomatic dialogue. This would reduce regional tension and protect important shipping routes and bring both sides back to the negotiating table. But the U.S. has not publicly backed up the proposal.
A central reason why Washington is not accepting this is the belief that Iran still has the military capabilities that it has been able to develop and even after recent U.S. military strikes on Iranian military bases. As American troops have been attacking Iranian military facilities, Tehran has continued to launch missile and drone attacks in the past years that show Iran is able to respond to them and it is capable of launching strikes, Iranian officials say.
It is believed that a ceasefire would allow Iran to regroup, repair damaged facilities and prepare for future military action at this time, U.S. officials say.
Another major concern lies with the security of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. A lot of oil is shipped across the narrow waterway, so stability in the region is crucial for world energy markets. There are already high oil prices and uncertainty in global financial markets and military tension is already having an impact.
The Trump administration will be hoping for commercial shipping and freedom of navigation to be protected before any pause in military operations.
Local political considerations are also shaping the administration’s strategy. Agreement on a ceasefire without a clear military or strategic aim will not only lead to criticism from political opponents and a potential erosion of American credibility among allies, but also create more and more challenges for the United States with rising military costs and higher risks for U.S. personnel stationed across the Middle East and strain on military resources.
A longer-term war could also put more strain on the U.S. missile inventories and other strategic assets of the nation’s weapons, defense analysts have also warned, too.
The Pentagon has maintained that American forces are well prepared for a long-term military campaign but experts warn of the reality that sustaining a long-term war will be more expensive and physically demanding to fight if it is sustained.
Even though there is still a military confrontation, diplomatic efforts are not resting. Regional mediators continue to push Washington and Tehran to agree to a ceasefire that would prevent civilian losses and potentially bring about a peace process. But neither side seems inclined to give in until it has a better hand in peace talks.
The conflict is still very uncertain at the moment. The Trump administration is more focused on reaching its military and strategic ends before considering any ceasefire proposal.
Negotiations at the same time will be crucial in deciding if negotiations will avoid the conflict from becoming a regional crisis.
