Cliff Notes – Does Diplomacy Stand a chance to end Israel-Iran conflict – but what is its chance of success
- UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy is leading diplomatic efforts, engaging with US officials while preparing to meet Iran’s foreign minister in Geneva
- Talks centre on Iran’s nuclear programme, with concerns over uranium enrichment and Israel’s distrust of Iran complicating negotiations
- US President Trump may grant a two-week window for diplomacy before considering military action, but Israel’s military offensive remains a potential barrier to peace.
- The challenge for world leaders is can the reign in Netanyahu’s lust for war
Diplomacy to end Israel-Iran conflict picks up pace – but what is its chance of success?
Diplomacy to prevent the conflict between Israel and Iran spiralling further out of control is picking up pace with the UK at its centre.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has met with his US counterpart Marco Rubio and President Trump’s chief negotiator Steve Witkoff in Washington, and flies next to Geneva.
Sources close to the talks say the meeting in the US capital was positive and the Americans are seeking a diplomatic solution while retaining military action as very much an option “on the table”.
Follow the latest updates on the Israel-Iran war
Iran’s foreign minister is scheduled to meet today in Geneva with counterparts from France, Germany and the United Kingdom for talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme and ending Israel’s attacks.
Mr Lammy flies to meet with Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Aragchi and their French and German counterparts in Geneva on Friday. He will be taking with him a message to the Iranians from the Trump administration.
Their response could be crucial in what happens next in a conflict that threatens to escalate, engulfing the region.
They have a grim warning in the fate of neighbouring Iraq after US forces toppled Saddam Hussein. His downfall was celebrated by many Iraqis, but was followed by decades of extreme and often sectarian violence which paved the way for the rise of Islamic State.
Trump, who initially distanced himself from the conflict, has increased the US military presence in the region as he weighs up ordering US forces to join attacks on Iran.