🇺🇸🇸🇦🇮🇷⚡️ — Efforts to restart U.S.-Iran peace talks are facing opposition from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which are urging Washington to maintain sanctions and its naval blockade rather than offer Tehran concessions, according to WSJ.

Qatar and Oman are pushing for renewed negotiations, potentially as early as next week, including a proposed seven-day pause in fighting and a phased reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Saudi Arabia, however, wants Iran to face further economic pressure following attacks on Gulf shipping and the increasing Houthi (Ansarallah) operations threatening its Red Sea oil exports.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told U.S. officials to maintain the blockade until Iran agrees to a new deal.

Meanwhile, Iranian diplomats have presented proposals to end the war, but mediators say the IRGC has taken a harder position, rejecting new negotiating formulas and signaling its readiness for a prolonged conflict.