A thought for de-escalation

There is a breath of fresh air as de-escalation moves onto the agenda of the warring sides. The contention from Tehran that it is willing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, provided Washington eases military pressure and lifts the blockade of Iranian ports, is a welcome development. For many, it is déjà vu. Both the US and Iran had reached a similar understanding following their agreement in Islamabad, and global supply chains was heaving a sigh of relief as oil prices had slumped back to $80 a barrel. This development has luckily coincided with Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinting at a possible meeting between President Trump and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. That, however, is a utopian thought as far as the Islamic Republic is concerned. Iran's military brass has recently upped the ante by saying it is ready for a long war, and this time around, all American interests in the region would be its targets. Iran's demand - that the US should agree on a timeline for how the process will move forward - can be worked out. This demand, incidentally, has come a day after Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with high-ranking Iranian officials in his earnest efforts to iron out a deal to end the stalemate. This makes a perfect case for reverting to diplomacy and picking up where the Islamabad MoU left off. A cooling-off phase is desired during which a ceasefire comes into force and Tehran convinces the Houthis to step back. The warfare deep inside Saudi Arabia, which is under attack from the Yemeni militia, is proving lethal to oil supplies on both sides of the Red Sea. There is an opportunity amid the disaster for the UN, too, to revive its image. It must play a role in forging a consensus between Iran and the US. This will not only help further prospects for peace in the Middle East and beyond, but also strengthen the weakened muscles of international law. The UNGA needs to return to its Uniting for Peace resolution and broker a thaw without delay.